THIS week, friend of Rambles Lucy told me the exciting news that she’s adding a new addition to her family, by way of Merlin the Sprocker Spaniel puppy!

This time of year sees an increase in families bringing puppies into their homes, but of course a dog is for life, not just for Christmas, and there’s a lot to consider before going ahead with such a commitment.

To understand exactly what goes into planning for a puppy, I caught up with Lucy herself to ask a few questions:

What made you decide to get a puppy?

"We’ve been thinking about getting a dog for over a year now, but it’s only recently that we’re in a position to become owners again. Cost is a huge consideration – it’s not just the insurance, vet care and food, but because we all work, we had to ensure we could afford a dog walking service to help us out too."

How did you decide what breed to go for?

"It’s important to match your dog with your lifestyle: we wanted a dog we could run with, take on long walks without tiring early and also cuddle up with at home, so because of this, spaniels were high on our list! Merlin is a ‘Sprocker’ – a cross between a springer and cocker spaniel."

How did you find your puppy?

"Recommendations are everything – we’re very lucky that the breeder we’ve chosen is a friend of a friend who’s highly praised. She’s been very helpful already, sharing lots of info about vaccinations and feeding. She’s also organized three puppy play dates for us, so we can spend time with Merlin and ask any questions."

What puppy prep have you had to do?

"Preparing to bring Merlin home was a lot of work: not only ensuring our home and garden were secure but also purchasing everything we’re going to need – a crate, playpen, toys, food and water bowls, puppy food and treats, bed, collar, lead, harness, ID tag – the list is endless."

Something tells me Lucy will be getting lots of visitors knocking at the door this Christmas time.

I, for one, cannot wait to meet Merlin when he starts his puppy visits with Rambles.

Check out the Rambles Pet Care Facebook page to see a pic of the adorable Merlin!

Have you got a puppy? Get in touch to find out more about our twice daily puppy visits, perfect for when owners are busy at work.