Play Is Serious Business
We weren’t planning on another puppy…ever. A chill senior dog? Sure. But then came Harley.
She was just two pounds at six weeks old (that’s real tiny for a Great Dane) when the breeder handed her over to a rescue in Texas. “Failure to thrive,” they called it. She was fragile, underweight, deaf, and in need of a second chance. Fast-forward a few months, and this little scrap of a puppy is now making up for lost time — cramming as much life (and food) into her days as possible.
When Harley’s photo crossed our path, we couldn’t stop ourselves. What were we thinking? Two 50-something women, basically signing up for sleepless nights, chewed furniture, potty training, baby gates, and carrying a wriggly baby across the country? Somehow, it felt inevitable.
Harley has been a nutball from the start - zoomies, chaos, and boundless curiosity packed into her tiny frame. But like every dog we’ve ever loved, she has lessons to teach us. The one that keeps hitting me over the head (sometimes literally, when she launches herself across the room) is this: Play is Serious Business.
When Harley plays, she’s all in. She doesn’t check her calendar first. She doesn’t worry about looking silly. She doesn’t save her energy “for later.” She plays because that’s what life is asking of her in the moment - and she reminds us (and at times requires us) to do the same.
As adults it’s so easy to get caught in the loop of seriousness: deadlines, responsibilities, caretaking, doing all the “right” things. Play feels indulgent, optional, something for later. But Harley reminds me daily that play is essential. It’s where connection, vitality, and joy live. And science agrees: play lowers stress hormones, boosts creativity, sharpens brain function, and even strengthens relationships. Some studies suggest it can reduce depression and support long-term cognitive health - which makes Harley’s zoomies look a lot less like chaos and a lot more like medicine. Turns out, chasing squeaky toys might just be the ultimate midlife wellness strategy.
So yes, we’re two women in our 50s with a baby in the house again, but maybe that’s exactly the shake-up we needed. Harley is growing into herself, we’re growing with her, and every day she’s teaching us: life is short, energy is precious, and play isn’t frivolous. It’s the point. And when she barrels across the room with that wild gleam in her eye, I have to laugh. Maybe Harley isn’t just our puppy - maybe she’s our wellness coach in disguise.