Doggy Dilemma

Doggy Dilemma

Despite the unsolicited comments I received such as, “They are a big responsibility,” “Do you really want to do that?” and my favorite, “Okay….Well it’s your decision,” I recently bought myself a sweet little pup. Her name is Pepper, “Pep” for short, and she’s a beautiful black/grey toy poodle. I just couldn’t help myself. When I first laid eyes on her I  started to imagine the lovely days we’d have strolling through the park, the stylish events I would take her to in doggy couture and being able to put the ever so popular, “I’m a new dog mom!” post on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter. We all do it for the likes every now and then.

I mean I’ve been dreaming about owning a poodle since I was a little girl, and since the opportunity presented itself it had to be fate, right? And who were all those people to tell me I should think twice about it anyway?! All of them either have a kid, spouse, dog or all three. I was positive my sweet precious Pep would be a lot easier to take care of!

Yep, it was going to be just wonderful and somehow my life was going to suddenly become 10 times more interesting! Well interesting is an understatement. The first week I brought her home those thoughts of leisurely walking through the park and toting her around in a cute doggy carrier to all these wonderful extravagant events flew right out the window. You’re telling me that I’m really responsible for another living-breathing creature right now?!

You’re telling me I have to wake up three times in the middle of the night to make sure she takes a potty break, and oh no, now I have to actually train her so I’m not picking up puppy poop and pee every 5 seconds?! After acquiring this tremendous responsibility, that suddenly became my reality. And let’s not mention the amount of money that was spent on food, crates, carriers, toys, treats and doctor’s visits. I know that she’s just a dog, but if this is half of what it’s like to take care of a little human being, then sign me up for parenting 10+ years from now!

Part of me wants to hit rewind back to the days when all I had to think about was what was I going to eat, where was I going to shop that day, what time do I really need to go to bed to make it to work on time tomorrow, and “Did the new season of (Insert some brain draining reality TV-show here) come on today?”.

Things have certainly changed since Pep came around. Don’t get me wrong. I love her, adore her and wouldn’t trade anything for her. Honestly, I don’t regret my decision.  I just learned a very valuable lesson.

1. Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD do something.

Although you may be an adult with a job and all those other adult things that “supposedly” makes you mature and grownup, you still have to be realistic about what fits YOUR life. Maybe you’re just not ready to be a parent, whether it’s to another human or pet and that’s okay! You don’t have to do 50 million things to prove yourself or conform to what the world says you should or shouldn’t be doing. Unless that is getting a job, because if you’re not an entrepreneur or you just hit the lotto, you should at least be searching for a job if you’re able bodied and not in school or retired. Just my opinion.

Being realistic is hard sometimes. We all like, well… at least I like to think I’m superwoman and I can do anything and everything! But realistically, I’m not superwoman, and that’s okay. It is okay to tell yourself no or maybe next time. Don’t fall into the trap of putting so many activities and responsibilities on your plate that you drop the ball in other areas of your life.

My suggestion, sit down and write the pros and cons of a decision before you make it. Then, make the best decision whether you like it or not. You’ll probably save yourself from going through some unnecessary situations because of it.

Right now, gratefully, I’m keeping up. I’m adjusting to this new addition in my life and through all the different messes I have to clean up throughout the day, Pepper and I are doing just fine. But trust and believe me, this is the last big decision I will be willingly making for a while.

Signed,

A Happy, but Tired New Pet Mama

-Keturah Greene, Public Information Assistant