The other day, while having roast lunch at my parent’s house, Andy and I briefly mentioned getting a puppy. My parents both looked aghast at the suggestion and simultaneously said ‘No,’ in a sickened tone of voice. At first I was pissed that they thought they could still dictate what pets I did or did not have, but the dinner table isn’t exactly the time nor place to outline a proposal as to why one wants a puppy, so we made some excuse and the matter was dropped. A while later my Dad and I had a brief chat about the incident, he basically reminding me that my Mum is allergic to pretty much any animal fur or dander, and expressing his reluctance for ‘yappy dogs’. Again, it wasn’t exactly the time or place to outline why Andy and I want, nay, need a puppy.
It’s all about children you see. The basic premise is that I’ve never had another life depend on me [plants and Andy excluded; Plants only need yearly maintenance.] The only pet I’ve ever had was some fish that died about 6 months after I got them because the man in the shop told me to feed them more than they actually needed. Andy, on the other hand, has had pets pretty all his life, but none of them have been his, so to speak.
So the question is: if neither of us has ever really had a pet, how do we know we could deal with a kid? How do we know we can shoulder the responsibilities of parenthood? How do we know if we could deal with a dependent life? How do we know we would make half decent parents? The answer is: we don’t. That’s where the puppy comes in. I know I can’t argue that having a puppy is anything like having a child, But I still think that if you can handle the responsibilities of keeping a pet, you’re at least a quarter of the way to dealing with a child.
We’ve had long discussions about this. We know the qualities we want [medium small or less; short haired; doesn't shed much or at all; friendly, but not too much; gregarious; not very aggressive or guard-ish; apartment dog; doesn't mind being on it's own too much]. We’re going to wait till we have our own place [a prospect that seems on the horizon], but most of all we both want this and think it’s a good idea.
☮&♥
Its nice in theory, and hey I’d love you to get a puppy for me to play with. However, I think you are being a bit optimistic about getting a PUPPY that won’t mind being on its own too much. Anyway I agree with you about it being your decision, ignore your parents!
Aww, you’ve made me want to get one now.
Be warned it will be a big pain, though. A puppy will be no old dog like Bill, it will have a life and lease of its own.
X
PS: your text is not wrapping hence random returns all over the place. x Love you