It has been a whirlwind of holiday cheer and reasons to celebrate despite some of the difficulties we are facing in healthcare and the community at large. One of the biggest difficulties I recently shed light on was the cost of education. I shared how I helped pay for my medical school tuition through competing in Miss America pageants. See the Reel below:

For more on my pageant experience click HERE. Keep in mind this post is specifically talking about Miss America (Congratulations to Miss America 2022, Emma Broyles, who won $100,000 in scholarship assistance along with a six-figure salary plus benefits for her year-long reign). There are several other pageant organizations but I am not as familiar with these and cannot speak to their requirements, their rewards, or the cost.

According to Miss America's website, you can compete if you:

• Are between the ages of 17 and 25 years old
• Are a United States citizen
• Meet residency requirements for competing in a certain city or state
• Must reside in state of competition
• Be enrolled in and physically attending classes on a full-time basis at an accredited college or university
• Be employed on a full-time bases in the state in which you intend to compete
• Meet character criteria as set forth by the Miss America Organization
• Be in reasonable good health to meet the job requirements
• Be able to meet the time commitment and job responsibilities as set forth by the local, state, and national competition(s) in which you compete
• Here is the complete list of eligibility requirements

What is involved in competing?

There is a $35 registration fee, which gives you the chance to win a $1000 scholarship right from the start. In addition, you must complete an application that includes a social impact statement, your resume, and come up with a talent (mine was dance one year and singing the next). My platform was STEAM: Adding Arts to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

The only additional fundraising I did to become a contestant was raise money for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH). Miss America has raised over $6.9 billion in donations for CMNH and continues to be a proud partner. Learn more HERE. It is an incredible cause and actually led me to volunteer at our local Children's Miracle Network Hospital.

Why compete?

As described on the Miss America website, "[t]he organization stands for empowering young women across the country to be the best they can be through leadership, talent, communication skills and smarts." In several cases, a lot of growth and development happens behind the scenes. What you see on stage is only a small part of the experience. Competing for Miss America pageants gives you the opportunity to gain valuable life skills, earn scholarship money (regardless of winning), discover new interests, make lifelong friendships, achieve goals, foster a positive mindset, receive recognition for community involvement, and develop a sense of responsibility for helping others.

Miss America gives you access to exclusive professional development series with experts in:

• Public Speaking
• Advocacy and Fundraising
• Resume building
• Career and Networking opportunities
• Health and Wellness
• Financial Literacy
• Performance, Press, and Social Media training

When to compete?

Where to compete?

How to compete?

With Halloween just around the corner, I figured it was time we talk about a topic that makes many feel like they are wearing a costume - and not just for the holiday: Impostor Syndrome.

Defined as a psychological phenomena of doubting one’s abilities and feeling like a fraud, Impostor Syndrome disproportionately affects high-achieving individuals, especially women. They struggle to accept their accomplishments, doubt their skills and abilities, and question their success and intelligence. These feelings of insecurity can be associated with stress, anxiety, and depression. It can occur in work environments, academic settings, and with social interactions. 

The role of attending physician comes with a lot of expectations set by mentors, colleagues, patients, friends, family, and especially oneself. Such standards can easily by overshadowed by the fear of failure, which is why recognizing the pattern before internalizing the emotions is so important.

The rest is building your confidence, knowing your self-worth, and increasing your self-esteem. If you're dealing with Impostor Syndrome, follow these five steps below to help you overcome it:

1. Recognize the syndrome for what it is so you can process and address it. This may be seen as using minimizing language or downplaying your success. There are several different types of impostor syndrome as well including the Perfectionist, Natural Genius, Expert, Soloist, and Superwoman/Man (see below).
2. Remind yourself of your own accomplishments and what it took to get where you are today. Review your resume and personal statements to solidify your purpose. It is true what they say - you know more than you think you do. Trust yourself with this knowledge.
3. Reinforce your perspective with the help of others, reach out for support and guidance. Find a mentor and role model who will inspire and encourage you.
4. Represent yourself and the person you have grown to become. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of opportunities that challenge you and further your career. DO NOT let impostor syndrome hold you back from fulfilling your passions.
5. Review what you have done so far to find areas of improvement. This may mean writing things down and seeking out others for feedback and constructive criticism. Be better than you were yesterday and strive to be the person of tomorrow.

Your girl is one degree hotter! My MBA is officially complete. 

For those of you wondering if it is worth pursuing an MBA, my answer is ABSOLUTELY if what it offers fits your interests, goals, and needs. My two-year journey to learn all about business administration and innovation has led me to so many incredible opportunities. This includes my partnership with AmorSui. I helped create the Alice Hamilton antimicrobial gloves (see below) as a way to protect the community amidst the pandemic. This gave me a firsthand experience in product development and business administration.

What are the pros?

Earning your MBA has tons of pros. It is a great way to build yourself professionally and set you apart from others. It can offer new career opportunities, from management and leadership positions, as well as increase compensation and pave the way for job promotions. If you're interested in starting a business, this degree can equip you with the skills and knowledge you need. Learn more HERE.

What are the cons?

One of the major cons to earning this degree is the cost or to put it in MBA turns "return on investment." There are ways to circumvent and/or mitigate the expense. I was able to pursue my degree through my residency program, which offered employee tuition reimbursement. See if your employer will help pay for your degree.

Another concern is the time and commitment. I enrolled in a part-time online program. The curriculum was done remotely and easily manageable with my busy hospital schedule. My program was two years long and, for the most part, I took one course per semester. There are others that are shorter or longer depending on how many courses you want to take and if your program accepts prior undergraduate or graduate course credits.

What types of MBA programs are there?

In addition online vs in person there are several different types of MBA degrees you can pursue. I chose to pursue an innovation MBA or iMBA. Earning an MBA was described to me as learning how to do a job whereas earning an iMBA was described as learning how to do a job, finding ways to do it more efficiently. The coursework taught me how to create an effective business plan to implement them. As a physician, I focus on quality improvement and patient-centered care. Being able to apply my innovative thinking skills to my practice just made sense. There are other concentrated MBA degrees as well such as Executive and Healthcare.

Leave a comment or feel free to message with any additional questions!

xx

Alyssa Cole, DO, MBA ;)

 JO•MO (noun): Joy Of Missing Out. Have you ever heard of this term before? It’s the opposite of, or in some cases, the antidote for FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).

Research has shown that FOMO plays a key role in social media engagement. Watching other people live their lives so you don’t feel out of the loop can actually make you feel MORE left out or like your life is less exciting. The two feed into each other in a never-ending cycle. This can lead to low levels of satisfaction and unhappiness if left unchecked. What we see on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and other apps is not the whole picture. It is an illusion of someone's life, carefully curated to share only what that person wants you to see. Recognizing this concept is half the battle. After all, comparison is the thief of joy.

So how do we overcome this feeling while still connecting online with others and enjoying all the good things about social media? Enter JOMO - the feeling of contentment with staying in and disconnecting as a form of self-care. Let's read that again:

JOMO is an approach that emphasizes joy, gratitude, and mindfulness. It’s a chance to focus on your life, your intentions, and your goals. Instead of checking your feed however many times a day or first thing in the morning and last thing at night change the behavior (or as some call it, addiction). Limit your time on social media so you can spend more of it doing the things you love. Pivot your mindset from passive activity to productivity. Focus your attention inward and find internal gratification in yourself. Don't look outward or search for external sources to validate your thoughts and actions. Experience life the way YOU want to live it, not the way someone else is living it.

Interestingly, there is evidence to suggest that the more photos we take of our experiences, the less we remember them. This is known as the Photo-Taking-Impairment Effect. Capturing our own memories can actually impair our mind's ability to store them for ourselves. Essentially we rely on our camera's "prosthetic memory" to substitute our "organic memory."

I love scrolling through posts and watching stories but realized recently it was making me feel so much wanderlust. With the delta variant on the rise, I have been less inclined to travel but every time I opened Instagram, I was transported to beautiful places of the world, seeing travel adventures I wanted to experience too. I decided I needed to step back and appreciate where I was and my own surroundings, knowing that I will travel again soon. I took time this past week to put my phone and camera away in order to appreciate being in the here and now. So many exciting changes are ahead with my upcoming move to Virginia and I don’t want to miss a single moment! Although I promise I will keep sharing content, I will be doing it mindfully with a focus on the Joy of Missing Out. Won't you join me?

July 1st is finally here - the day when new intern physicians start their residency program and current residents advance to the next year of training, making them "seniors" or for those who graduated, "fellows" (and in some cases attendings). It's a huge day for all involved, whether it's exchanging a short white coat for a long one, being granted the chance to moonlight, or teaching the incoming doctors everything you wish you had known. It's also the start of an overwhelming few days, weeks, even months but this is normal and a great way to learn how to get comfortable in feeling uncomfortable.

The start of the first year of my Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency was so overwhelming with information being thrown at me in a million different packets, pdfs, e-mails, lectures, and more. There was no consolidated resource where I could find the information I needed to help me on call or rotation, whether it was understanding how to properly document, knowing who to contact, or figuring out the schedule. I vowed to create a handbook for future residents so no one ever had to feel the way I did. My classmates and I worked together, breaking down each rotation into a mini-orientation guide, explaining the on-call system, providing contact information, and even using approved Epic electronic medical records screenshots to show how to place orders. The next class was prepared with their own customized pocket-size handbook the way I wish I had been - complete with our Therapy Dog gracing the cover.

SPEAK UP: Not sure about something? ASK. Communication is key to ensuring everyone is on the same page, has all the information, and no one is missing anything.

TEAM UP: You are in this together with your co-residents. If you see someone struggling, step in to help them with the understanding that they would do the same for you. One of my favorite tactics was to tag team with my co-resident if they were available. We would see a patient together. One of us would document and start putting orders in while the other would take the history and do the physical exam. While we were capable of doing it on our own, we found it was a great opportunity to learn, see more patients, and save time.

FUEL UP: No, I'm not just talking about coffee. I'm talking about WATER. You are going to be so focused on treating your patients, you'll forget to drink water so it is essential that you remind yourself to stay hydrated. I carried around a one-gallon water bottle, which may have looked a little silly but I was never thirsty, especially on my inpatient rotations.

FILL UP: Fill those white coat pockets with snacks because you never know when you’re going to need an energy boost. My go-to was always a protein bar but careful they don't get squished!

WISE UP: That's right, it's time you combined your critical thinking, time management, and medical knowledge into quick decision-making action so you can be efficient and effective when it comes to treating your patients. Be sure to ask your seniors or attendings for tips and tricks especially regarding documentation and putting in orders. Simple keyboard hacks and smart phrases will save you so much time! Ask your seniors or attendings for tips and tricks especially when it comes to documentation and putting in orders. Simple keyboard hacks and smart phrases will save you so much time!

Any tips you'd like to share? Comment below!

PC: @ptap48

This is my absolute favorite networking story because not only does it show the importance of connecting but it also shows how one conversation (and one Butterbeer) can change your future. Now, with the advantage of technology and social media, comes even more access to experts, mentors, and educational opportunities.

So how do you network? Here are six steps to break it down:

1. Be persistent and assertive but not aggressive 

Recognize your value and don't give up but only seek out connections that are engaged. 

2. Seize every opportunity

No matter where you are - an airport, a medical conference, on the bus, or at a dinner party - recognize that each encounter you have could lead to something bigger. Do not squander these. If someone offers to put you in touch with someone they think might be able to help, say YES. I found my PM&R elective rotation in medical school through a family friend. This later turned into a job opportunity but I had already decided on pursuing a fellowship.

3. Be prepared

Do your research and know your audience. What are the other person's areas of interest or expertise and how did they help you? Make sure you get their contact information/business card and that you have a business card of your own (along with resume, and/or portfolio depending on the situation) for the other person (ie job fair). When it comes to business cards, I always include my photo because it helps match the face to the name. This lets the other person remember you better and gives them a tangible piece of you to walk away with and have on hand for the future. Also, always have a pen available!

4. Be open-minded

Networking comes in all different forms. And technically they say we are connected to everyone in the world through six degrees of separation.

5. Be an active listener

This is a great skill set to have not just for networking but for connecting with other people, whether patients, colleagues, friends, or family.

6. Prepare your Elevator Pitch

This is a 30-second to two-minute statement of who you are, what you do, where you see a connection with the other person, why you’re valuable, and how you can help. Whether for a building your career, proposing a business idea, or overall establishing a connection, having this prepared can set the stage for the conversation and the future of the relationship.

Another great example of networking? My partnership with AmorSui Clothing, which led to me helping develop the Alice Hamilton antimicrobial gloves. This happened in part because of a connection made on social media and in part because of a colleague who encouraged me to get my MBA. So remember, it could happen anywhere, including right here! And you never know which opportunity could land you in Forbes magazine😉

So the key takeaway is, you never know who you will meet and when so take advantage of every opportunity…

The following interview with Temple University catalogs my own experiences this time last year, unmasking the role of Rehab Medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic. As today is Star Wars Day, I thought it was a perfect reminder of the Force that lies within each of us and how my medical specialty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation helps patients rediscover that power. Thank you to Rebecca Mayeda, MD candidate for reaching out to interview me, share my story, and create this portrait:

Unmasking Rehab Medicine During COVID - An Interview with Dr. Alyssa Cole

By: Rebecca Mayeda, Lewis Katz School of Medicine Class of 2023

Dr. Alyssa Cole is a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician, having recently finished her PM&R residency training in Philadelphia. She is now specializing in Cancer Rehabilitation as the city’s first Cancer Rehabilitation fellow physician. Back in medical school, Dr. Cole learned about the field after completing a preceptorship at a rehabilitation hospital. “As an osteopathic physician, I have a strong understanding of anatomy, the musculoskeletal system, and the nervous system. Rehabilitation allows me to combine these interests in order to help patients regain their quality of life.” Initially, she did not know about the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation. She told her family how she wished she could be the physician overseeing the medical management of patients in therapy. It was that moment when her father turned to her and said, “you’re talking about physiatry.” It turned out that before she was born, her father was a research assistant for a physiatrist and so, in a way, Dr. Cole thought, “maybe it was embedded in my DNA... meant to be.”

Continuing to explore the field through elective rotations, Dr. Cole enjoyed seeing the progression and continuity of care as patients made their way through rehabilitation. Dr. Cole remembered meeting a stroke patient who had difficulty standing, but after a month of comprehensive therapy, was able to walk across the room and hug her children. “Knowing that I could be the cheerleader for her, and also having been a cheerleader, I felt like [PM&R] was the best of both worlds.” Dr. Cole described PM&R as “a hidden gem that not many people know about... it’s a field devoted to improving the functionality and quality of life of patients with a focus on neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.”

Dr. Cole explained how through PM&R you can either practice general physiatry or pursue more specialized interests such as sports medicine, pain, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, cancer rehabilitation, and palliative care. She said that sometimes when people hear ‘PM&R’ or ‘physiatry’ they think of psychiatry or pediatrics, which is why it is important to bring awareness to the field and educate the public about what these doctors offer patients.

Amidst the pandemic, outside of the hospital, Dr. Cole limited her normal activities to socially distance, arranged for groceries to be delivered, and canceled travel plans to visit family. At the beginning of the pandemic, she was on her EMG (electromyography) rotation, but due to administrative changes and restrictions on outpatient clinics, she was instead placed on reserve in case other physicians became ill. This meant that she served as a backup both for her PM&R residency as well as for the internal medicine resident physicians.

During this time, Dr. Cole was also moonlighting at a suburban rehabilitation hospital, where she had the opportunity to take on more attending-level responsibilities. Here she managed all of the rehabilitation patients, in addition to twenty patients recently added to a unit dedicated to COVID. “These were extra shifts I was taking on that I didn’t need to as part of my residency training, but I knew the hospital needed the help,” said Dr. Cole. She worked there a few times a month always in 24-hour shifts.

Thinking back to the height of the pandemic, Dr. Cole reflected on how “the stress of everything was difficult to manage. I remember walking into the hospital one day and, as I looked down, I saw there were chalk drawings and messages all over the ground in front of the entrance. They said ‘Thank you,’ ‘Heroes work here,’ ‘We appreciate you,’ ‘You’re saving lives,’ and it just made me cry.” She remembered at the time being surrounded by a group of other employees, nurses, and therapists, and she said, “We just all started bawling because it was just such a powerful message to read. And it meant a lot. This is what you do for your job every day and you never think of yourself as a hero.” Dr. Cole said she is so appreciative of her colleagues, the nurses she works with, the therapists, the environmental services team, the aides, and the technicians, explaining, “It takes a village.”

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During one of her 24-hour shifts, Dr. Cole recalls getting paged about a patient who spiked a low-grade temperature. “All of us suddenly start thinking COVID,” said Dr. Cole, knowing the patient had been on a floor where another individual had tested positive for COVID. After donning the proper PPE and examining the patient, Dr. Cole remained concerned. While the patient did not have any other symptoms, no cough, no shortness of breath, her temperature remained elevated with no obvious source. In addition to ruling out common causes of fevers like a urinary tract infection, Dr. Cole sent for a COVID test. “I would rather be safe than sorry. Whenever you order something you have to ask yourself how is this going to change my management, and so by ordering it, if it came back positive then we would know if we needed to isolate the patient in the cohort COVID unit, keep her more closely monitored, or obtain a chest x-ray. If she came back negative, then we would feel more comfortable where she was and look for other sources of infection.”

Around one o’clock in the morning, Dr. Cole received a call and found out that her patient tested positive. The patient had been progressing well in therapy and was otherwise medically stable such that she was supposed to be discharged a few days later. However, with this new diagnosis, plans changed. When the patient asked Dr. Cole if she was going to die, Dr. Cole reassured the patient, telling her that luckily, they had caught the virus early and they would monitor her closely in the COVID unit. “Hearing your patient say that to you and also recognizing this is a new disease [where] there isn’t enough evidence-based medicine...is just a jarring sensation and emotionally taxing. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your patients is to just be there to listen to them and help them through their concerns.”

In cases where patients with COVID were medically stable, Dr. Cole said that they might be admitted to a rehabilitation facility as was the case where she worked, as opposed to an acute care hospital. This helped to free up space in the main hospitals for patients with higher acuity medical issues. However, patients who were in more critical condition due to COVID would instead go to the acute care hospital, where they could be managed in the intensive care unit (ICU) if necessary, with some requiring intubation. She said that once these patients have recovered, they will need rehabilitation for deconditioning as well as other issues such as critical illness neuropathy, dysphagia, and malnutrition.

“Everyone focuses on the statistics of COVID and the mortality rate, but nobody focuses on how once people have recovered, though it wasn’t fatal for them, they now have long-lasting effects,” said Dr. Cole. “Yes, they survived, but at what cost to their bodies? Many of them will likely need intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy to regain their strength and endurance. If there is any specialty that is going to be in high demand, and that we need more doctors for, it is physical medicine and rehabilitation. These are the doctors that will get these patients functioning again, to get them back to their quality of life, and back into their homes and the community.” She noted that some patients who were previously healthy have been in a hospital bed for months. This increased length of stay can lead to muscle atrophy, pressure ulcers, kidney damage, lung damage, and other medical complications whether from the virus or overall hospital course.

Dr. Cole also saw how insurance protocols and policy changed in response to the pandemic. “It was almost like the focus shifted to saving the patient, forget about the paperwork, forget about the insurance coverage.” Especially for rehabilitation medicine, Dr. Cole said, “Things changed drastically and rapidly to get patients who were no longer required to be in the acute care hospital into rehab, where before they needed to jump through all of these hurdles to qualify for acute comprehensive rehab.” She noted in particular Medicare changed a lot of its requirements to accommodate the influx of patients. Dr. Cole hopes this approach to patient care will continue beyond the pandemic to benefit patients, especially as it relates to preventative medicine. She discussed how the lack of preventative care reimbursement impacts so many fields in medicine, including PM&R. “The most frustrating part is that [insurance companies] wait until it becomes an acute issue to provide coverage. Had they covered it months ago when it would have been a preventative measure, [patients] could have avoided these astronomical healthcare expenses, operations, interventions, medications, and diagnostic testing.”

As her PM&R residency has ended, Dr. Cole says she’s excited for what’s ahead — she is now in her second month of fellowship in cancer rehabilitation and has already learned so much. She explained, “Last week I high-fived a patient in clinic who survived cancer and COVID. It is the most rewarding population to work with because they have a new lease on life, they are so appreciative of your help and receptive to your recommendations.”

R. Mayeda is a second-year MD candidate at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Twitter: @BeccaMayeda

This interview was originally published November 20, 2020 here: https://medicine.temple.edu/education/narrative-medicine-program/interview-dr-alyssa-cole

Kicking off Match Week with a recap of the American Osteopathic Association's DO Day on the Hill conference. Match Week is when fourth-year medical students find out first if they matched into residency and finally where they matched. It dictates their next chapter while also helping shape the future of medicine.

To ensure these rising physicians are entering into a supportive medical environment, my colleagues and I devoted our time to the DO Day on the Hill: A Leadership Development and Advocacy Summit. We heard from keynote speakers including Duke University's Senior Policy Fellow, Susan Dentzer, who reviewed the current US Administration's plans to address the pandemic, medical coverage, and cost with a focus on value-based care. The CDC's Deputy Director for Infectious Disease, Dr. Jay C. Butler, took time during his speech to acknowledge the hard work Osteopathic physicians and medical students are doing to help overwhelmed healthcare systems.

We spoke with Congress's Representatives and Senators to discuss three key important healthcare issues: physician burnout, preventing Medicare cuts, and graduate medical education funding. As the AOA states, "while these issues did not arise under the COVID- 19 public health emergency, the pandemic has exacerbated existing problems."

I discussed physician burnout, a topic that is especially relevant as many medical students find out where they will be doing residency training. Healthcare professionals experience high levels of stress as part of their day to day lifestyle. Prior to the pandemic, 45-55% of medical personnel reported feeling burnout. In the United States, doctors have the highest suicide rate out of any profession. It is crucial these incoming residents have the support and resources needed including mental and behavioral health support and wellness resources. The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act (S. 610) aims to "support suicide prevention training, increase awareness and education on suicide and mental health concerns among health care professionals, and helps promote mental and behavioral health among those working on the frontlines of the pandemic," (Federal Advocacy Initiatives). This bill was recently re-introduced to the Senate and our hope is that it soon becomes law.

For those who found out they matched today, congratulations! I am so proud of all of you and it has been amazing to have the opportunity to mentor several of you. For those who did not receive the news they were hoping for, you worked so hard and have come so far - now is NOT the time to give up. Now is NOT the time to feel burned out. Not matching does not dictate your success as a physician. One of my best friends scrambled into a residency spot through SOAP and she is now a thriving Internal Medicine physician who loves her career, her patients, and her lifestyle. I am excited to see where everyone ends up matching on Friday and hope our efforts on Capitol Hill positively impact your training and education. I encourage you all to get involved with shaping healthcare policy to advance the practice of medicine and patient care. Check out the AOA's website to learn more HERE.

Reference:

Federal Advocacy Initiatives, n.d. American Osteopathic Association. Retrieved March 15, 2021 from 

    https://osteopathic.org/about/advocacy/federal-advocacy-initiatives/

Officially introducing my new puppy, Dogtor Westley Cole, to the blog (just in time for Valentine’s Day). Westley is a 3 month old Aussie-Lab rescue named after one of my favorite characters from the movie The Princess Bride. 

The Adoption

In the middle of this pandemic, I remember feeling stagnant and sedentary. I asked myself: Should I buy a Peloton or a puppy? Deep down, I knew it was never really a question. I have been wanting to rescue a puppy for years. Countless hours spent moonlighting as a dog walker both privately and for companies like Wag and Rover, as well as volunteering for a local animal shelter, built up to this day. (I spent so much time walking dogs and playing with our hospital’s therapy dog, one of my co-residents asked if I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a veterinarian as well).

After years of casually browsing local shelters, I finally committed to actively searching. I subscribed to petfinder, adopt-a-pet, and getyourpet. I submitted applications across the tri-state area. It took time to complete the paperwork but it was worth it. I checked every morning and night for new postings with my dream of an Aussie/Lab mix helping to narrow my search.

When I heard back from Jonah’s Ark Animal Rescue, a non-profit animal welfare organization that rescues homeless dogs, it turned out they had a different puppy in mind for me than the one I had applied for initially. They messaged me a photo of his adorable face and gave me 24 hours to decide.  Within moments of receiving his picture and hearing how playful he was with his siblings, I said yes.

Picking him up has been the highlight of 2021! He had the sweetest demeanor and immediately wanted to snuggle. Everyone says he will grow to be 50-60lbs but it’s hard to imagine when he can fit in my lap.

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The Preparation

I had already started nesting, with a crate and crate cover as well as lots of toys and treats thanks to my family and friends. For house training I made sure to get puppy pads and a Fresh Patch (a box of grass) as well as a hanging “doorbell” for him to ring. My friend introduced me to Snuggle Puppy, equipped with a “heartbeat” and heating pad, which simulates his littermates to ease anxiety. Click the photo below to shop:

His favorite toys include the Nylabone, Kong, and these cute little stuffed dumplings. I’ve been feeding him Purina Smartblend (grain-free food has been shown to have adverse effects on dogs, especially cardiac related). As he gets older and his adult teeth come in, I plan to give him Greenies for dental care. Zuke’s are great for training treats. I’m also watching Brandon McMillan’s dog training MasterClass before I take him for puppy classes.

The Puppy Picnic

To give Westley a real welcome home, for Valentine’s Day, I treated him to a puppy picnic thanks to @picnicpaletteco. This small local business offers picnics for all occasions, from anniversaries to birthdays, and of course puppy picnics!

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I was excited to be the first one to request this type of setup and was overjoyed with the results, complete with a charcuterie for me and dog treats for Westley.

As a little dog in a big city, he has been adjusting well. He has a bill of health from the vet and is on his way to being fully vaccinated (just like his hooman!). West loves meeting new people and has quite a bark. And let me tell you, this little guy is keeping me more active than any stationary bike ever could! You can follow him on IG for your daily dose of cuteness at dogtor.westley.

Huge thanks to my family and friends for the love and support they have given me during this new chapter in my life! Special shoutouts to Mimi for helping me bring Westley home, Amanda for being my best friend and on-call veterinarian, and Monet for getting Westley exactly what I didn’t even know he needed. Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with lots of Puppy Love!