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There’s exciting news in my house, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

So I’ll let you take a few seconds to guess before I tell you — waiting — waiting — waiting. Did you guess yet? Surprise! It’s a puppy! Her name is Shiloh, and she’s currently 12 weeks old. She’s an American Akita, just like Bella, and she’s been home with me and the cats since Super Bowl Sunday.

Man, has it been a transition! Going from a full-grown, almost 9-year-old dog I trusted with my life to a curious, wild, sweet puppy has been a roller coaster ride.

I knew soon after I lost Bella that I wanted another dog. My house felt empty without a dog’s presence, and although I love my cats, they weren’t the same. I even thought my cats were lonely without a dog. I knew I wanted another Akita because Bella had so many outstanding traits, especially with the hours I put into coaching.

Although Bella loved me dearly, she didn’t need me to be around to be happy. When I got home, she was thrilled to see me for about 45 minutes, and then my existence didn’t matter. If I was home, she was happy; if I was gone, she was happy. However, please don’t take this as an excuse to run out and get an Akita; the breed is notoriously stubborn, difficult with strangers, not great with other dogs or animals and sheds enough to make a blanket. Do your research before adopting or buying any dog; make sure they fit the family you have, not the one you want to have. Because here’s the thing: getting a pet is a forever commitment, which brings me back to my search for another dog.

When they showed up on my porch as strays, I promised my two cats that they would have a home forever with me. Growing up, when we had pets, hunting dogs or even stray animals dropped off at the farm, my grandparents and parents always told us that they would have a home with us forever. That has held for every single animal on our farms except one. It’s also been a mentality that I have adopted within reason. If I’m going to bring a pet home, it’s going to be with me forever.

So when I started looking, I thought first about looking at rescues for Akitas that desperately needed homes. My brother has three rescue miniature pinscher mixes, and those dogs adore him and his wife, so I figured I would look. A friend sent me a link to a rescued Akita in Pennsylvania and I sent an inquiry email. However, when we started talking, they first asked if I had other animals. I responded yes, and they told me that Akita had to be only a pet. I knew immediately I couldn’t do that to Catsby and Quincey. In talking to other people who owned Akitas, I found that they recommended going with a puppy so the cats could train the puppy.

After a lot of deliberation, I decided to go with a puppy. Boy, was I nervous! I received Bella when she was four months old; she was potty trained, crate trained and almost totally out of her puppy stage. I didn’t know what to do with a puppy at all! However, I researched and found an excellent breeder who came highly recommended and produced quality over quantity. She invited me out to visit soon after the puppies were born. That visit solidified that I missed having a dog, and I put down a down payment. I was heading home from western Ohio nine weeks later with a puppy in the car.

Having a puppy has been an adjustment. Thankfully, within two days, she was sleeping through the night. Potty training is progressing reasonably well, and so is learning her commands.

I had forgotten exactly how stubborn Akitas can be, and arguing with one that is 25 pounds is both hilarious and frustrating. She’s also the absolute sweetest little girl, and when she snuggles up to me and rolls over on her belly for petting, it makes up for the gnawing she did on my hand earlier in the day that left bloody little tooth prints.

While all of this is a heartwarming story and something I wanted to share with all of you, this last part struck me. Once Bella passed away, I didn’t notice it then, but I didn’t go outside as much as I used to. There were no more snowy morning walks on our favorite trails, no nighttime potty breaks to hear the absolute silence of snow falling, no footprints and pawprints in the snow in my yard, no hearing the birds chirping, no coyotes howling at night, no checking out the animal tracks in the yard or walking the fields. I stopped going outside as much as I should.

The first time I took Shiloh on a walk around my yard, I cried. Not only was Bella gone and this tiny little puppy was now mine, but I had also forgotten how beautiful it was to be outside with my best friend, surrounded by nature.

So I encourage you to get outside as the weather begins to break and warm, and life begins to emerge again. Sure, if you’ve done the research and are prepared for the work, adopt a dog and have yourself a permanent hiking companion. However, only do that if you’re ready to give it a life with you forever.

Maybe a dog isn’t your style. Adopt a cat and teach it to walk on a leash, or start feeding the birds. You and your cat can enjoy hours of birdwatching on a trail or from the comfort of your couch.

Maybe get involved in a volunteering activity that gets you outside; plenty of places are looking for volunteers. Whatever it is, get outside. See how fantastic nature is and then find a way to help preserve it.

In fact, Shiloh and I have begun documenting our adventures in Trumbull County and beyond on Instagram. If you want to follow us, find @Shilohtheakita on Instagram as we document her growing up and exploring the great outdoors. Until then, hopefully, we’ll see you on a trail or at a local park!

Submitted by Christen Clemson, a member of the Trumbull County Farm Bureau who completed her Ph.D. at Pennsylvania State University. She and her family farm in Mecca Township.

OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.