Don’t get a dog. They are a lot of work, like having a much less dependent child who never reaches the age of being able to talk and occasionally pees on the floor.
Don’t get a dog you will have to house break them. It won’t be easy they will have accidents, multiple ones . And just when you think you have them trained they will again have a accident and look at you with those big puppy dog eyes.
They will sleep in your bed making you wonder how a 25 lb ball of fluff can take up so much space. They will eat your new shoes and you will scream and yell and swear that they are sleeping outside tonight.
They will look at you with those eyes and nuzzle their head against you and the shoes will be forgotten.
They will find a way into your heart even after they have stolen dinner off the counter or eaten your last bite of pizza.
They will look at you like they just won the doggy lottery when you pick up their leash. And you will find yourself not totally minding picking up after them.
And on days when you feel unloveable they will rest their head on your leg and sigh letting you know that you truly are loveable.
They will love you unconditionally and will always be excited to see you; whether you are gone for 5 minutes or 5 days they will great you with excitement and love.
They are the only member of your family who doesn’t talk back and all they ask for are belly scratches.
Don’t get a dog he will dart out into the street and you will find yourself screaming for him to stop. Your heart nearly jumping out of your chest.
You will always find yourself making sure the trash is locked and that no one leaves food out . You will leave parties and events because the dog needs to go out.
You will go away on vacation and debate the expensive kennel that provides the Animal Planet on 24/7. You will leave him with family and still worry.
And when he comes home spoiled off of having eatten steak for a week he will turn his nose up at your high end dog chow.
He will whine for food scraps and you will toss him a pizza crust and a bit of chicken, things you swore you would never do. One day you will find yourself making chicken soup and tossing him bits of chicken as you work.
You will have kids and wonder how anyone has kids and not a dog because the dog is the ultimate vacuum cleaner for toddler food fits.
Every day they will great you with a smile, a wag of the tail and the request to rub there bellies.And when you want to have a lazy day on the couch they are the perfect companions.
Don’t get a dog the landscapers will leave the gate unlocked and you will find yourself again standing in the street desperately screaming your dogs name in hopes that they come back. And you will think, “this is it, they are gone. When they do come home wagging their tale, you will be relieved and wonder what kind of adventures they had.
They won’t play well with other dogs and you will find yourself thinking, “I don’t like other people’s dogs, just my dog”.
You will never be able to teach them to stop barking at the mailman, or jumping on guests when they arrive or stealing socks from the laundry.
You will forgive all these things because they are yours.
One night while walking your dog he will get attacked by another dog, and again you will be a screaming shouting mad woman, and think this is it, this is how I lose him.
And you will rush to the emergency Vet and pay the bill and just be thankful that they are still here.
Don’t get a dog, their life span is so very short. And you will notice all the ways that they age; the struggle when they jump, the slowed pace when they walk, and way they look older.
They will be the most reliable and trustworthy presence in your life. They will protect your child like it is their own. And if your husband and son are rough housing the dog will be quick to jump in and defend your son.
They will get sick. They will get tumors and lumps and there will be expensive trips to the Vet. And you will hold their paw, craddle their head in your hands and whisper, “mom is here”.
You will carry them up and down the stairs and give them medication. You will lie down on the floor and put your head against theirs and look into their eyes and hope for better days.
And when their time comes, even though it seems impossible and all too short, you will have to say good bye and wonder if you did enough, if they lived a happy life. If you gave them all the love and cuddles and loyalty that they gave to you.
Don’t get a dog they will make your heart bigger than it was before and when they leave your life will be better because you had a dog.
Hi! Thanks for the post. It was very moving. I understand the pleasure and pain that comes from owning pets – though I'm a cat person and my boyfriend is a rabbit person. (I know. Bad, right?) It's tough love with the pets. For instance, just a couple of weeks ago I took my cat into the vet because she had a cough. She was terrified and bit me. Not only did I spend $250 on her medications, I spent a small fortune at Urgent Care and later the ER because the bite got infected. But I love her anyway.
This is so very sweet! Right now we are a cat family, though a lot of this can apply to a cat, too. My two youngest want a dog so badly. Some day soon, I'll give in (don't tell my cat).