pre-baby puppy

a term used to described a puppy purchased by new couple soon after moving in together. The puppy is the pre-cursor to getting married and having children together.

The puppy represents a low risk test of the couple's ability to handle the responsibility of raising a child together.

Ryan: Did you hear Jeremy and Julie got a puppy?
TJ: Sure did. That's a pre-baby puppy if I've ever seen one!
Ryan: huh?
TJ: First they move in together, then comes the puppy, then the ring, then the baby.