When I was younger, I was honestly terrified of dogs. I don’t even know exactly why, maybe because I got chased once or maybe it was just something that stuck with me. Either way, I never thought I’d be the kind of person to own one, let alone two. But as I got older, I started to feel different about it. I’d see people with their dogs and how happy they looked, and I started to think maybe I was missing out on something. One day, I was sitting in my room just thinking about maybe getting a puppy. I brought it up to my girlfriend, and she told me it probably wasn’t the right time. I didn’t argue because I kind of agreed. But the next week, my friends sent me a screenshot from an Instagram story. A family was trying to find a home for their two pit bulls. The post said they were about 11 months old and the family didn’t want them to be separated. Something about that really hit me. I showed my girlfriend the post, and she said that if I really wanted to do it, she’d help me out. That gave me a little push. I kept thinking about those two dogs and what would happen to them if nobody stepped up. If I didn’t take them, they might have ended up on the street or in a shelter. So I made the decision to do it. A few days later, I was driving up to Gaithersburg to pick them up. I felt nervous and excited at the same time. I had never owned a dog before, so getting two at once felt kind of crazy. But as soon as I met them, I knew I made the right choice. Their names were Dream and Nightmare, which honestly didn’t fit them at all. I decided to rename them Max and Lulu. They were my new twin Italian pit bulls, and they were the cutest dogs ever. The first week was rough. Not only was I new to this, but these dogs were used to being let loose all the time in their old home. They had zero rules. Max would have accidents all over the house, and Lulu would chew on everything like shoes, pillows, and cords. I was frustrated, but I didn’t want to give up. I talked to some friends and looked up ways to train them. Someone told me Lulu might be teething, so I got her some bones and toys to chew on. For Max, it was all about routine and being patient. Fast forward six months and everything changed. They learned so much and got used to my schedule. They know how to sit, give paw, and lay down. We even do this little thing before they eat where we pray. They sit and wait until I say “Amen,” and then they eat. It’s one of my favorite things to do with them because it shows how much they’ve learned and how far we’ve come together. One thing I figured out was that they don’t like being alone. When I leave for football or my girlfriend goes to work, they get restless. I found out that putting nature sounds or soft music on the TV helps them stay calm. It’s funny, but it really works. It’s like they’re in their own little world while we’re gone. Now that they’re a year and four months old, things are completely different. They’re trained, loving, and part of the family. We spoil them probably more than we should. We take them swimming, get them groomed after, and always grab them a treat. Their favorite thing ever is getting pup cups from Starbucks. We go on walks every day, and it’s become part of our routine, something I actually look forward to. Looking back, I’m so glad I decided to get them. At first, I thought I might be making a mistake or taking on too much, but it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. They’ve taught me patience, responsibility, and how to care for something other than myself. I’ve learned to understand their moods, their little personalities, and even their different barks. Sometimes I think about that Instagram post and how easily I could’ve scrolled past it. If I did, Max and Lulu might have ended up somewhere bad or maybe even separated. But instead, they’re here with me, happy, safe, and loved. They went from being two dogs who didn’t have a home to being my best friends. It’s wild to think how scared I used to be of dogs. Now, I can’t even picture my life without them. Every time I walk in the door and they come running to me, tails wagging, I’m reminded of how much they’ve changed my life. Max and Lulu aren’t just pets to me, they’re family. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.