Where should I begin? Ah yes, it’s 6:30am and my boyfriend is getting ready to log on for work. I feel shuffling in the bed and then a wet cold nose on my cheek. I am not a morning person, so I pull the covers over my head and turn over. I hear the en suite bathroom door close then the relentless barking begins. Apparently, no one is allowed to close any doors in the house. After 5 minutes or so the door opens the barking stops, and it’s time for a morning potty break outside. Now I can go back to bed for an extra 30 minutes before its time for me to login for work. Kingston is a 5-year-old, 8 lbs, male Maltese pup. He was gifted to me 5 years ago for Christmas when he was 2months old, and he has been spoiled ever since. Before we get into the pros, I want to state that this is coming from personal experience. While some of my pros have been known to be fact, I wanted to share with you my perspective as a Maltese dog owner.

Let’s start off this list with sizing. My pup Kingston is compact, I can put him in a carrier or carry him in my arms if I need to. His size also makes bath time easy, not to mention minimal shedding. On occasion my boyfriend puts him in his carrier and takes him on bike rides. He loves bike rides, wind in his hair sun in his face, and the best nap after he gets home.

Next is personality, this one is my fave. Maltese pups have a lot of personality. Energetic, lively, loving, intuitive, smart. They are great with other dogs and children. Where would I be without my bathroom buddy? It warms my heart to see his little black nose nudge the door open and curl up on the bathmat, it’s something I never knew I needed in my life. He Loves taking naps with me, cuddling up to watch a good movie, or listening in on my Zoom calls to add the occasional participation bark.

Lastly on the pros list and most importantly for me is health and lifespan. The Maltese pup is a healthy breed with few health issues, this was good to know due to fact that vet bills can be expensive. But, as with any toy breed dog oral care is important, brushing every day and regular professional cleanings are a must. The news that gave me the most piece of mind was the 12 – 15 year life expectancy, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). In the middle of every cuddle, every playtime, every time I take a moment to acknowledge how lucky I am to have him in my life, the dark inevitable truth of one day losing him creeps up. I will never be ready.

There you go short and sweet. If you are looking for a compact, loving, energetic k-9 companion, a Maltese pup would be a great choice for you. Kingston has taught me patience, responsibility, and what unconditional love means. We really don’t deserve dogs.