'It always seemed like a faraway dream': Man who spent 40 years wanting a dog finally adopts his first puppy at 44, after a lifetime of raising cats in apartments too small

Author image for Ayala Sorotsky
Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 13, 2026 6:45 PM EDT

Everyone dreams of raising a dog, right?

I always wanted a dog. I mean, not always-always, because I was the kind of toddler who was seriously afraid of dogs for some reason (seriously, I have no idea why). But since around the age of 5, every birthday wish I made while blowing the candles on my birthday cake was "I wish I had a dog", for many, many, many years. Unfortunately, my mom is not a doggo fan, so we never adopted one. Though it never stopped me from wishing it every single birthday, for my entire childhood and early teen years.

But besides my mom not liking dogs very much (other than that, she's totally fine), everyone I know loves dogs. And the people who never had the chance of raising a dog always wish they had. And so did u/JoeFlat, a 44-year-old man who literally wished he had a dog for 40 years. And thought I had it rough with dedicating so many birthday wishes to having a dog, and there comes this mister here, who wishes for a dog for longer than I have been alive. Now that's dedication, if you ask me.

Today, I still don't have a dog. But maybe it's just because I didn't dedicate enough time to wishing for one. Because that clearly worked for this guy and his wife, who now had Ayla, the Corgi mix puppy, join their family. I can't imagine the delight they're experiencing. Expanding the family with another pet is always a joy that can't be described in words - especially if you wished to do so for literally 40 years. Like… wow.

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    Cheezburger Image 10646667008
    via JoeFlat
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    At 44 I finally got myself the one thing I've been wanting since I was 4 but never had. Everyone, this is Ayla!
    via JoeFlat
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    Cheezburger Image 10646667776
    via JoeFlat
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    I've always wanted my own dog, and I couldn't have one in the apartments I lived in.
    via JoeFlat
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    We did have a family dog when I was young and I've always loved them, and I've been a cat dad for decades,
    via JoeFlat
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    but it always seemed like a faraway dream.
    via JoeFlat
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    Cheezburger Image 10646665216
    via JoeFlat
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    Cheezburger Image 10646668032
    via JoeFlat

  • Aww, look at these belly scritches - she must be so happy. The only time I was hosted in a house that had a Corgi dog, she flopped in front of my legs all the time to get belly rubs. Apparently, that's a specific Corgi thing. I mean, sure, every dog loves a good belly rub - but these Corgi potatos like it especially.

  • 09
    It still feels like a dream but I'm living it! Ayla is a 3 month old corgi mix, just 8 pounds still. We
    via JoeFlat
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    picked her up today and she was immediately giving out kisses! Adoption was a roller coaster,
    via JoeFlat
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    but now she's gere and she's perfect! My wife and I are beside ourselves amazed at what a lovebug we have.
    via JoeFlat
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    Cheezburger Image 10646665472
    via JoeFlat
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    Looking forward to many years and BUCKETS more pictures!
    via JoeFlat
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    อ
    via JoeFlat
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    xltsLesterx Congrats. She's gonna show you a type of love you never knew it existed. Happy for both of you.
    via xltsLesterx
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    JoeFlat OP She's gonna be loved twice as much right back!
    via JoeFlat
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    Cheezburger Image 10646669312
    via JoeFlat
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    JoeFlat OP Hijacking top comment for a VERY IMPORTANT update! LOOK AT HER NAPPING! I might di . Except I can't because LOOK HOW CUTE!
    via JoeFlat
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    Cheezburger Image 10646670592
    via JoeFlat

  • It made me laugh - this is such a pet pawrent move! Just letting everyone know how cute your pet is. Amazing pawrenting, 10 out of 10. Look at that man go loving his pupper. Such a good dog dad, and definitely such a good girl puppy!

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    eclecticaesthetic1 And she's even crate trained! You have the perfect dog! Teach her stuff now, it's when they learn the most and remember what they've learned. Puppy classes are great.
    via eclecticaesthetic1
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    tapknit I'm glad your dream is coming true! Dogs are wonderful. A couple of ideas for you as a new dog owner. First, find a really good trainer - even if they're expensive. I dropped a
    via tapknit
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    lot of money on an excellent trainer and i now have miraculous relationship with my dog in terms of communication, safety and
    via tapknit
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    freedom. Never knew this was possible. Second, if you want your dog to live a long time, consider raw feeding.
    via tapknit
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    JoeFlat OP Thank you! She will be enrolled in a training and activity center here town. We are aware we have as much to learn as she does! Food is... well there's a lot of competing info out there. Right now she's getting Hill Science until she sees her vet.
    via JoeFlat
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    Worldly_Progress_655 Welcome to a world of happiness and heartbreak. It does balance out. I've been down that road 11 times and I still have 5 more to help through their journey in this world. It is so worth it.
    via Worldly_Progress_655
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    JoeFlat OP As a dad to 6 cats, 3 of them over the bridge, I know too well the road has an end. I'll never stop walking it. Thank you and good health to you and all your babies.
    via JoeFlat

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