For Samantha Durden and Zack Davis, life with four dogs — Asher, Hades, Maple, and Cypher — was filled with love, energy, and… a whole lot of leash time.
For years, the couple dreamed of giving their pups the ultimate upgrade: a backyard where they could run, play, and just be dogs. It would be a gift for the dogs — and a lifesaver for their humans.
Walking four dogs meant doing it one at a time.
“We had to walk them all individually,” Durden told The Dodo. “Each walk took 30 to 45 minutes, and we did that about four times a day — even more with the puppies since they’re still potty training.”
In August, the dream finally felt within reach. The couple bought a new house — and this time, the yard wasn’t an afterthought.
“The big yard for the dogs was the main reason we chose this house,” Durden said. “We wanted a place where we could fence it in so they could be free and run to their hearts’ content. Our previous home didn’t have a yard.”
After waiting about a month for HOA approval, the couple hired a fencing company. In just one day, the fence was up — and the surprise was ready.
All that was left was to show the dogs.
At first, the four pups stood frozen at the door. They were used to strict leash rules and didn’t quite believe they were allowed to step outside on their own.
Then it clicked.
One by one, they bolted into the yard — sprinting, spinning, and zooming in pure joy. Their humans watched, laughing, as their dogs completely lost their minds in the best possible way.
For Durden and Davis, seeing that happiness was everything — especially when it came to their oldest dog, Asher.
“He’s usually our ‘grumpy old man,’” Durden said. “But since getting the yard and having that freedom, he’s like a whole new dog. Seeing him run around with the puppies felt like watching life come back into him.”
Now, the pack wants to be outside as much as possible. They race around together, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy the freedom they waited so long for — while their humans soak in every moment.
Because sometimes, all it takes to change everything… is a yard.
