What is it with dogs? Are you one of the people that celebrated National Pet Day earlier this month? Do you love a furry friend?
Whoever said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend…obviously never had a dog!
Do you need unconditional love, something to love you forever and ever (sounds great, right!)?
Do you love having something warm and fuzzy to cuddle with, share a bed with?
When Mollie, a liver/white tri English Springer Spaniel that was with us for fourteen years died, I said it would be my last.
I just couldn’t put my heart through another heartbreak.
Well, six months passed, and guess what? We broke down and got another fuzzy creature. She is a black/white tri-colored springer spaniel named Emma. What a sweetheart, a pain in the ass, a total companion, a bed hog, has her own opinion and needs, and we wouldn’t give her up for anything.
Furry Friends – The PROS…
I have read that owning a pet has several benefits for older adults. This includes higher levels of physical activity…which results in better health. Having a dog forces us to create daily routines or to have a purpose to get out and MOVE.
Dogs offer emotional support and give us something to talk about with other people (other than how upset we are with the latest political announcement or our upcoming knee surgery).
With a dog, you get constant love and affection, unconditional adoration (we all can use a little of that), lots and lots of wet sloppy kisses, and let’s not forget the lack of bed space. Is this a pro? Well, some of us might think so.
…and the CONS
The case against owning a canine fur baby is as follows (but not limited to): Constant dog hair on your pants, brown spots in a once lush green lawn, ongoing poop duty, and the frustration when they are trying to communicate, but you don’t agree (time to go to bed or wanting to stay outside).
Dogs also need exercise, rain or shine, cold or warm. If you are sick, or well, you need to suck it up and get out there with a potty bag and treats in your pocket. How about the grooming duties, brushing, and teeth brushing (yes, we are supposed to actually brush a dog’s teeth).
I could do without the muddy paws prints on my white kitchen floor and cream living room carpet in the spring and rainy weather.
It is also a pain in the ass standing outside in the freezing cold, in the middle of the night, (even when Fido doesn’t really have to do anything) because he just wants you to be awake with him.
I, personally, have had a lot of pets including, birds of all shapes and sizes, chameleons, fish, hamsters, turtles. But my nine dogs (over the years) are in a special category that is unique and exclusive…
Companion
Confidant
Family
I have read or heard it from somewhere that the best compliment to a deceased pet is to replace it with another. I totally agree. Or, to quote American novelist, satirist, and poet, Erica Jong…
” Dogs come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new dog never replaces an old dog; it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many dogs, your heart is very big.”
Click here to check out other Sidetracked opinions on family
#sidetrackedsisters #sidetrackedsandy #furryfriends #family #furryfamily #animallove #soul #parenting
