Welcome Home, Evie and Aura
Andrew Wong
Introduction
Evie and Aura are now approaching adulthood. And I’m here wondering where all the time has gone. It felt like it was just yesterday when I brought them home.
Raising two puppies simultaneously is challenging, especially when done entirely solo. The past two years have been filled with many ups and downs, and living in constant exhaustion is difficult. However, now that I see light at the end of the tunnel, it was 100% worth it.
Although Evie and Aura are still young dogs, the most challenging phase of raising them is hopefully in the past, and more adventures await. Stay tuned for more stories of the adventures of Andrew, Evie, and Aura.
But first, I’d like to share my journey of bringing Evie home and raising her since she was 8 weeks old. And before she even turned one year old, the journey of bringing Aura home and raising her since she was 8 weeks old alongside Evie.
Andrew Meets Evie
Towards the end of 2018, my childhood dog passed away. Her name was Yuki, and she was a Yorkie. She was a senior dog and lived a love-filled life. However, her passing left me feeling empty for years, as she was one of the few in my life who could love me without judgment. Over time, I waited for the perfect opportunity to get another dog, which I hoped would be in the summer of 2022. That summer, I moved to Austin, and after I settled down, I began researching to find a reputable breeder.
In the middle of October 2022, when she was just two weeks old, I met Evie for the first time. After reserving a Yorkie from a breeder’s litter, I met the baby Yorkies and their parents. I chose one and named her Evie. I was in; there was no turning back now that I had named her. I spent the next six weeks getting ready.
After six weeks, I went to pick up Evie from the breeder and bring her home. It was the day I’d been waiting for: Evie finally came home. This is when Andrew and Evie's journey began.
I still wish I had spent more time with Yuki as she grew older. This seems to be a typical path for childhood pets: you go away for college, and then you go away for work. When I brought Evie home, I showed her a picture of Yuki and told her she would have a life filled with love and adventures. Of course, she had no idea what I was saying, but I was determined to show her through action.
To ensure Evie is well prepared for all her upcoming adventures, I made sure of three things: healthy, happy, and trained. The first thing I did after bringing her home was to make sure she was loved and comfortable. Then, I took her to a veterinary clinic for her initial checkup and to begin her puppy vaccinations. Then, I signed her up for puppy classes to get her socialized and to help her understand basic commands. When Evie was about four months old, she was ready for her first adventure.
Andrew and Evie Meet Aura
Fast forward six months, and Evie has now turned nine months old. Evie has already been on three out-of-state adventures and countless adventures in Austin. At nine months old, Evie is well-socialized and loves playing with other dogs. The only issue was that there were not many small dogs her size for her to play with. I started thinking about getting her a best friend but wasn’t sure if I wanted to go through raising another puppy so soon, especially since Evie was still young.
That summer of 2023, I found out that Evie’s parents were having another litter, so I thought, wouldn’t it be cool that Evie’s best friend would also be her sibling? That’s when I decided to do what I do best and accept a challenge. I decided to get another dog. In the middle of July 2023, I met the baby Yorkies and settled on one I would name Aura. I went to bring her home a few weeks later, and this was when Andrew, Evie, and Aura’s journey began.
I planned to follow the exact blueprint I followed with Evie: healthy, happy, and trained. The only different variable was Evie. I had to ensure Aura was loved and comfortable, continue giving Evie the attention she needed, and carefully monitor how their relationship would develop.
Evie is a very friendly dog. When I brought Aura home, she was excited to begin playing with her. Evie tried to show Aura how to climb the stairs to get on the coach. She also shared her treats. I gave Evie a blueberry, and she dropped it for Aura. I was glad that they were getting along. When Aura was about four months old, she was ready to go on adventures.