From Pandemonium to Peace:
A Couple’s Journey with 12 Canine Companions

New York, N.Y. — It surprises some people to learn that my partner and I have 12 dogs. Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu-Havanese mixes. Of course, I never imagined our life would revolve around rescued dogs, each with a story etched into their soulful eyes.

My partner, Bix, and I live in a New York City apartment that hums with the chaos and love of our unconventional furry family. It’s a life of constant motion—laundry spinning, carpets steaming, and a symphony of barks greeting us at the door.

Yet, amid the pandemonium, there’s a peace that settles over us, a rhythm we’ve learned to dance to with our twelve canine companions.

Our life revolves around our furry family,
a mix of rescues with complex needs

Our days are shaped by their needs. Five of our boys wear diapers due to urinary incontinence, a condition that demands round-the-clock care. We’re up early, changing pads, washing soiled linens, and wielding the steam cleaner like it’s an extension of our hands.

It’s messy, relentless work, but it’s worth it. These dogs—discarded by others for their imperfections—deserve dignity. I look into their trusting eyes and know we’re giving them that, one clean diaper at a time.

Coming home is an event. The moment the front door opens, “puppy-monium” erupts—a tornado of barks and furiously wagging tails. Bix laughs, calling it “a tornado of love,” and he’s right.

It’s overwhelming for about sixty seconds until they settle, reassured we’re back where we belong.

The UPS guy, a regular witness to this chaos, grins and says we’re running a canine hotel. He’s not wrong. Even meal prep is a logistical feat—bowls stretch across the kitchen, dining room, and living room, each tailored to specific dietary needs. It’s a circus, but it’s our circus.

Grooming is another beast entirely

Every six weeks, each dog needs professional ear cleaning, gland expression, and nail trims—a $500 monthly expense that dwarfs my own haircut costs.

I’ve set up a grooming station at home to manage half the sessions myself, brushing out tangles and trimming where I can. But the pros handle the delicate stuff.

Twelve dogs, twelve appointments—it’s a logistical puzzle, but their wagging tails and freshly fluffed fur make it a triumph.

They are always within ten feet of me, whether I’m writing in my office, cooking in the kitchen, or taking a shower. Many people ask me how we can have so many dogs in a New York City apartment.

Well, even if we lived in a mansion, they would always be within ten feet of me… Six of them sleep on the bed with us. It’s rather comforting to be touching all six and my partner as I sleep.

They are extremely intuitive. They know when you’re upset, they know when you’re sad. Their emotional intelligence often stuns us. One guy, blind in one eye, bit my finger by accident the other day.

He followed me into the bathroom as I bandage my finger. Head bowed, nuzzling my bandaged hand with his one good eye, he looked devastated. Dogs know. Of course, I forgave him.

Intuition and Heartbreak

Life with twelve dogs isn’t all cuddles and loyalty. We have had our loses, and it hurts. A diabetic rescue, Mushu, passed away despite round-the-clock care. Another, Rogi, succumbed to kidney disease. Another, who arrived with distemper, had to be put to sleep.

The hardest goodbye was Remi, a dog with unexplained aggression linked to a neurological disorder. He bit me so badly I needed hospitalization.

We tried for another year after that, but he was unable to learn acceptable behavior through positive reinforcement, desensitization, and counter-conditioning techniques now matter how hard we tried.

The vet explained his brain was irreparably damaged. We held him as he crossed that so-called rainbow bridge. He wasn’t a bad dog—just a broken one. And we never stopped loving him.

The Price of Compassion

Financially, the commitment can be staggering. Grooming costs exceed $500 monthly, and specialized diets, medications, and diapers add thousands annually.

Yet, whatever. These dogs were discarded. Who else would take a senior with incontinence or a ‘problem’ dog?” We just try to give them a soft landing.

A Balancing Act

Despite the challenges, we find joy in small victories. Teaching a formerly abused mix to trust again or watching an old dog learn a new trick fuels our resolve. They’re survivors. Every tail wag feels like a middle finger to whatever they endured before.

But it can be hard. We rarely travel together because we cannot find a pet sitter who can deal with so many dogs at the same time – especially given their special needs.

You can’t just ‘clock out’ with this many dogs. It’s exhausting, but quitting isn’t an option. They’re family.

Lessons from the Pack

For us, our dogs have redefined love. Their presence has also taught us patience. When six dogs follow you into the bathroom, we learn to laugh instead of scream.

Perhaps our story will inspire others to consider adopting overlooked pets—seniors, special-needs animals, or those labeled “difficult.” Perfect dogs don’t exist. But every one of them deserves a chance to be loved, even if it’s messy. And, truly, each is perfect in his own way.

It’s late at night as I finish this piece. Our home is quiet. Our dogs are curled into a collective heap under my desk, their breathing syncing into a contented rhythm.

I survey the scene: a laundry pile of diapers, a few wee pads, and a oriental carpet that’s seen better days. This may be chaos, but it our chaos. And we wouldn’t trade it for the world.

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#PackOf12 #PetParentingExtreme #UnconditionalLove #DogGroomingPro
#Rescue Dogs, #ShihTzu, #NYCPets, #AnimalWelfare

Tags: Animal rescue, pet care, dog behavior, urinary incontinence in pets, pet grooming, multi-dog households, emotional bonds with pets, senior dog care, veterinary challenges, dog rehabilitation