Though very clearly a cat person, I love, love, love dogs… their smiling faces, their fur, their antics, they way they get excited and romp around, the way they snuggle when they are worn out. When I go to the home of someone who has a dog, I usually greet the dog before I greet the people.
Interacting with other people’s dogs is a special treat for me. I roll around on the floor with the dogs, I talk to them, pet them, hug them, and spoil them. I get up in their faces and kiss their noses; then I let the dogs lick me in return. Truly it must be comical, if not a bit gratuitous -- especially since I tend to be very quiet, professional, and poised around most people.
So I suppose it should not be surprising when people respond to my antics with, “Oh, you really should get a dog!” or “You would make such a great dog-mom!” And, frankly, I would love to have a dog, but dog ownership is not a good fit for my personality and lifestyle (nor DH’s). We did foster a dog for the humane society a few years ago, and although she was a most wonderful pooch, we quickly learned that we were not well-suited for the life of dog-parents. The energy, mess, and attention involved became very stressful very quickly. (It didn’t help that after a couple of weeks she became increasingly aggressive toward our cats, at which time we had to place her in a new foster home before there was a disaster.) I recall the drives home from work, wanting to just go home and collapse from a long, hard day, and instead feeling my anxiety skyrocket as I thought about the dog who would be so needy upon my arrival. In contrast, the cats would greet me at the door, ask for a quick scratch, and then go about their own business.
Interestingly, when people tell me I should adopt a dog and I briefly explain why I shouldn’t, most people are content to leave it at that. No argument, no judgment. I wonder why it can’t be just as easy to accept when you insert “kid” in place of “dog”? After all, my observation is that children require far more effort and commitment than dogs. If I cannot handle a dog (a creature I love being around), what makes people think I should or could handle a child?
I love dogs as well (although I am a cat person through and through and have only owned cats), and I've long known I would not be a good "dog mom." It's kind of funny, because one of my standard answers when people ask me why I don't have kids is, "I don't even want to take care of a dog!" That does get me some strange looks, but I completely understand where you're coming from. I don't even want to deal with the walks, the required attention, and the sometimes-exact feeding schedule for a dog, so how I could remotely desire wanting to deal with the even more rigorous care required for a child?
ReplyDeleteI too love, love, love dogs, but my hubby and I are just too busy to get one. We're both gone all day, Monday - Friday and I would feel so guilty leaving it in a crate all day, plus I'd *want* to take it places when it wouldn't necessarily be appropriate. So, I love them, but other people's dogs will have to do! :)
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