I never thought hockey pups would make me cry about fertility—but here we are.
If you’d told me last year I’d be ugly-sobbing over a pack of rescue dogs in tiny jerseys instead of playoff stats, I probably would’ve side-eyed you. But then I watched the Stanley Pup returns: NHL's adorable adoption game, and, well... here’s my confession: I saw my own fertility struggle in every wagging tail and hopeful, searching face.
Curious? Let me spill why a viral dog video has everything to do with making a family (even if you’re feeling stuck, tired, or not-so-sure lately).
Rescue Dogs, Second Chances, and the Rollercoaster of Trying
Picture this: 32 rescue pups, each repping an NHL team, are introduced on live TV—fur fluffed, tongues out, tails wagging, ALL of them up for adoption. Each pup was somewhere tough before. Now, they’re on a new path, just waiting to find their people.
Sound familiar? That’s the exact mix of nerves and hope I’ve felt at every “two-week wait,” every test, every moment when it seems like my fertility dreams might not come true.
But here’s the catch—the Stanley Pup game seems like pure fun, but beneath the cuteness is a real lesson in resilience. Because every one of those dogs is proof: Even when the odds feel stacked, there’s a way forward.
How Fertility Feels Like Waiting for Your Own Adoption Day
Let’s be honest: the fertility journey can make you feel stuck, overlooked, maybe even “unadoptable.”
- Your friends are having babies on Instagram.
- Your own path feels weirdly invisible (or like a series of frustrating “try agains”).
- You tell yourself to be patient, but every month feels like a fresh tryout where you don’t get picked.
But those pups? They didn’t give up. They showed up, floppy ears and all, ready for their shot.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re trying over and over for your own “adoption day”—whether that’s a positive test, a match, a new path to parenthood—YOU are already in the game.
Tools, Not Hail Marys: Why At-Home Solutions Matter
I know what you’re thinking: “Okay, but dogs get adopted because people show up for them. What about me?”
Here’s the twist: Today, more hopeful parents have new ways to show up for themselves, too. In the same way rescue pups need a support network (shelters, fosters, fans cheering them on), we need access to the right resources and a community that believes in us.
That’s where companies like MakeAMom’s at-home insemination kits come in. I used to think only someone with a doctor on speed-dial and a pile of cash could “play to win” on this journey. But these reusable, budget-friendly kits mean you can try at home, on your own timeline—no gatekeepers, no judgment.
- CryoBaby for those using frozen sperm.
- Impregnator if sperm motility is tricky.
- BabyMaker if you have sensitivities or conditions like vaginismus.
Each kit is discreetly shipped. Each one is a tool, not a miracle. But guess what? The people at MakeAMom say their average success rate is 67%. That’s a stat worth wagging your tail over.
Why Community Stories (and Internet Dogs) Keep Us Going
I could rattle off clinical tips and charts. But after watching those Stanley Pups, what sticks with me is this: community matters. Seeing other people and animals fighting for joy—that’s the fuel that kept me trying, even when the scoreboard looked hopeless.
- Read success stories (or share your own in the comments—seriously, I want to hear them!).
- Find your “team”—a few good friends, an online forum, maybe even a rescue dog to snuggle through the hard nights.
- Celebrate every small win: a new kit to try, a moment of hope, the courage to ask for help.
My Final Takeaway (and a Challenge for You)
If you’re feeling lost in the fertility maze, let a bunch of hockey dogs remind you: the game isn’t over. There’s always another chance for connection, hope, and—yes—a big, messy, joyful win.
Maybe it’s a positive stick, a new kit that finally feels right, or just the courage to keep showing up for yourself.
So, here’s my challenge:
- Watch the Stanley Pup adoption game and notice how your heart feels.
- Check out real at-home fertility options and user stories if you need a boost.
- Share your own “pup” moment—big or small—in the comments below!
How are you finding hope this month? Who or what is on your team? Because if rescue dogs can get their day in the sun, so can you. 🐾