I don’t have a dog… Am I a monster?
I’d like to start this post by stating that I appreciate and enjoy dogs and recognize the unconditional love they provide. I would never harm an animal and I always look forward to dog sitting and interacting with my friends' pets. (Seriously, I’m not evil).
Ok. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to it. I’m part of an ever dwindling group of folks who don’t have a dog. Particularly after covid, there seemed to be a pet adoption explosion where suddenly it was the thing to do (I’m looking at you doodle and dachshund owners).
I almost fell for it too. The romanticized life with a sweet and docile puppy, rushing to greet you when you come home, running blissfully through an open field chasing after tennis balls - it’s tempting. The built-in company and (wo)man’s best friend sounds incredibly joyful.
Until I think about the aggressive amount of responsibilities, the cost, the maintenance, and the limitations owning a dog would have on my life. I like the idea of having a pet, but I know deep down that that kind of responsibility doesn’t currently jive with the lifestyle I have.
From an outsider's perspective, dogs seem to cause people an inordinate amount of additional stress in their life. I’ve watched my friends become riddled with anxiety because their pet stopped eating/ate the wrong thing/ate too fast and threw up/hurt their paw/got loose/stayed cooped up too long/was afraid of fireworks/barks at men/didn’t get along with another dog/got sick… There seems to be a very narrow window where everything is going right with your pet. Is that worth it?
That’s what I’m hoping to understand. What are the true benefits of having a dog? When I envision poetic scenes of my life decades from now, I can absolutely see myself owning a nice bit of property and going for long walks with my dog. I would cherish the companionship and care of a cute and cuddly pet, but I would also be financially stable, have a family to help care for the dog, and have time in my life to give them the attention they deserve.
So what is it, dog owners?! Why should I get a dog? Do you regret getting yours? Right now when I make a pro and con list, the con side is much, much longer. But I want that to change.
I can see how rewarding it would be to care and provide for a dog. The satisfaction and pride in keeping something alive and forming a bond absolutely appeals and would have me brimming with pride any time someone complimented my four-legged family member. I’ve also seen it happen more than once where people have met new friends or partners from interactions with their pets - and hell, I’ll do just about anything to make friends as an adult.
But what else is there? And how do you get around the guilt or feeling that your dog is a burden?
A big concern of mine is that I would offend my friends by limiting them with my pet. There seem to be a lot of trails, beaches, restaurants, museums, etc. that don’t allow fluffy friends. I would hate to be the reason to miss out on an experience or have to end a night early when the fun was just beginning.
As a pet owner how do you handle that guilt? Choosing your friends over your pet or vice-versa. Is the secret that you just have to have a partner/roommates/enough disposable income to have someone else watch your dog for those times? Now that I think about it, all of my friends with dogs are also in a relationship. Every single one of them. Maybe that’s the barrier to entry? Is that why single people have cats?! Are cats the gateway pet to dogs?
Or do I just need to be rich. So I can pay for a baby-sitter. Doggy-sitter. Hahaha never mind.
P.S.
Can we please acknowledge how ridiculous it is that every day millions of people follow around an animal, cooing it to do what should be a standard biological function (poop), and then bend over and pick up its fresh bowel movement and put it in a little baggie to be thrown away?
I’m not ready. That’s all.
-ECE