Must Love Dogs
"I love dogs. Do you have a dog?" When did declaring your undying love for dogs become society's default and a staple of all dating app profiles? I always feel slightly weird letting people know that no, I don't have a dog and no, I don't want one. It's not that I hate animals, quite the contrary, I foster an elephant in Africa and among the movies that have made me sob (we're talking snotty, ugly cry, can't get out of my seat for a few minutes) is The Cove, rather, I just don't want to have my life dictated by a dog. Last minute plans- sorry I can't I have to go home to take my dog out. Going on a trip- who will dog sit? It's 11pm and freezing and the dog needs to be walked. These are just a few of the things I'm not willing to factor in right now.
As seen on EVERY IG account. But seriously, I don't even know who to attribute to because it's all over.
Is it selfish? I don't know. I don't think so but maybe? There is also a part of me that worries about the dog breeding and puppy mill culture and what we have done and are perpetuating. Overthinking much? Probably.
In spite of all of this, when I went home this weekend, one of the first things I asked my dad on the car ride home from the train station was if they had my sister's dog for the weekend. I couldn't believe I was asking this, let alone hoping that the answer was yes. Hudson is a good dog, frankly I think he's the best dog there is. He's a dog that you say yes to rather than no. He wouldn't hurt a fly and rarely does anything he shouldn't. My biggest issue with him has always been the shedding. If you think your dog sheds, meet Hudson. I truly don't know how he still has hair on him. Over the past year or so, Hudson has been at my parents' when I go home and I've come to just adore that gentle giant (he's a big guy). I don't know if on some level it's because he represents my sister, who I almost never get to see, or if it's just spending more time with him, but I found myself so enjoying his company and feeling really sad as I noticed his signs of aging and started realizing that his years are numbered.
Hudson aka my nephew aka King Hud, or as my dad says, "Who's the puppy?!!"
I'm not about to start scanning petfinder.org #adoptdontshop, but it did get me thinking. If I ever have more space or leave Manhattan, I just might become a dog mom.
Do you have a dog? Am I awful/normal for not wanting one right now?