For the past few years I’ve been struggling to decide whether or not I want to add a dog to our family. I love dogs. Dogs seem to love me. I just can’t seem to take that leap to make a lifelong commitment to another four legged friend.
For all intents and purposes, adopting a dog is like having a child. Both require lots of patience and care. Granted, a dog you will never defy you shout “you’re not the boss of me!” like Izzie, my calico does that on a regular basis. But they do need to go out to “do their business” and tend to track the great outdoors in.
On a practical note, I tell myself that a dog will provide me with another outlet for exercise. I really would like to walk a dog, to have a buddy on my walks (which I haven’t been taking without someone to walk with). A dog would also provide my another outlet for my need to shop – there are some really cool dog products out there.
All the pros and cons aside, my real concern is how Izzie, Calico Queen of the house, will react to a canine companion. The bite on my hand is just beginning to fade along with the memory of her reaction the last time she had a close encounter with a dog. She is mellowing to our doggy neighbor and no longer puffs her tail when poor Marky emerges from her back door. Lately, Izzie meerly posses herself regally on the lawn and nonchalantly observes the canine behavior with intellectual detachment. I still worry what would happen should a puppy actually enter our home. It could be ugly.
I’ve been scanning the local SPCA pages with little luck. I’d really like a small to medium sized dog and have fallen in love with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Sadly, there does not seem to be the uncontrolled breeding of these dogs that would populate an animal shelter. I have found a local breeder but I’m torn between rescuing a dog or merely writing a check.
So, here I sit, like J Alfred Proofrock, in a state of indecision. Do I dare get a dog? remains to be seen whether I will find the dog of my dreams or have to lower my expections. If I don’t, I may risk becoming a doggie spinster.