Lupin’s first year tested patience as much as it built persistence. Amy weathered sleepless nights, slow house training, and a puppy whose energy never seemed to fade. At first, his crate beside her bed brought comfort in the quiet hours. Moving him downstairs felt like progress toward independence — but after Amy’s three-week trip to Thailand, everything unravelled.

The sitter who was looking after Lupin allowed dogs to sleep on the bed, and Lupin got influenced. When he came home, he refused to sleep alone downstairs again. He became anxious and started whining. A dog behaviourist suggested moving his crate back into Amy’s bedroom. Desperate for rest, Amy let him stay in her room — first in the crate, then on the carpet. From then on, his place was set: close to Amy on the carpet, always within sight.

During this howling and whining phase, when Amy was away, Andy looked after Lupin for two nights. On the first night, Lupin howled and barked relentlessly, keeping Andy awake. On the second night, Amy suggested letting Lupin onto the bed to calm him down. Even then, Lupin continued barking, howling, and pawing at Andy, disrupting any chance of sleep.

Those chaotic nights cemented one truth: Lupin would never settle unless he was close to Amy.