It's a dog's life (part I)

Summer never came. I was just reading my last post here (you know, the one from, like, decades ago) and I was like "Oh, right...Summer was a bit late, then...". Yeah...it never showed up!

Anyway...hello! Good night, good morning, good whatever part of the day you're living! I know I've been kinda absent but I'm back now so let's get going!

You might be wondering what I have been up to. Well, I can tell you that my life is upside down at this moment. The title of this post is literal: I have a dog!

Now...a little bit of context for you, my dear beloved followers and readers in general: I have a cat, his name is Peri and he has been with us for three years now. He's a beautiful black cat, not a very social one but also not aggressive, at all. Anyway, for years I've wanted to adopt a dog, ever since my mom gave away our puppy when I was a kid. I'm an adult now (sort of) so I decided not to wait any longer and go and rescue a puppy. And so I did. And I love him and I'll be by his side forever and also, he's a nightmare.

Yes. I'll say it right here, for the world to read: my puppy is a nightmare. All that talk about puppies being cute and warm and NICE? Lies. All lies! He barks, he bites, he destroys everything, poops and pees all over the house and he's a rebel! A young turk, I tell you! And you know what? My life belongs to him now, I have obligations now, expenses (he eats a LOT), I swear having a puppy is quite similar to having a new born baby (not that I ever had one).

Now, don't get me wrong. The first two weeks were awful and I was close to despair but I KNEW where I was getting myself in. Never, for a second, I thought about giving him up.

The problem is - and this is why I'm doing this post today - lots of people do think about giving away their newly adopted puppies. LOTS of people ABANDON their animals. And you know why? Because they didn't know what was coming. Because they believed on the cute advertisements we see every day on TV and, ultimately, because people who have pets only show the good parts of it on social networks - I'm also guilty on that one, he's really cute on my facebook page.

Every day I see these facebook pages of animal institutions and, ok, they do talk about RESPONSIBILITY but, no, they don't tell the truth about the dogs and cats they have for adoption. Somehow, their animals are all perfect, behaved and sweet. They don't do any of the things animals usually do. What do they get with that? More adoptions? Yes. More "devolutions"? Yes.

If you're thinking about adopting an animal there's a few things you should do first (note that I'm gonna use the pronoun "it" to avoid having to choose between "he" and "she"...I'm not particularly in love with that detail in English language...animals are not things to be referred as an "it" but ok, moving on):

1. Talk with your close family about it. You don't want to bring home a pet that no one else wants;
2. Again, TALK with your family and friends who have animals so that they can help you and provide you with some relevant information;
3. If possible, don't buy a pet. Rescue one, there's plenty of abandoned animals waiting for a caring family;
4. Ask yourself a few crucial questions like: why do I want a dog/cat? Where is it going to sleep? Where am I going to walk it (if it's a dog, of course)? DO I HAVE THE TIME? DO I HAVE THE MONEY?
5. Know that, from the moment you say YES to a dog/cat you are saying yes to a new member of the family. It's not an object and it can't be seen as a possession;
6. Know that mornings spent lying in bed are over and that you will be followed every single time you go to the toilet;
7. Know that animals HAVE emotions too. Yes, they're different from ours but, still, they are there. Animals do feel fear, sadness, joy and anger like everyone else;
8. Know that they will destroy stuff you like. It might be your phone, your favorite jeans, your curtains or your plants or even that really cute shirt your boyfriend gave you (sad, oh so sad) but it doesn't matter right? 'Cause you love your pet and you know it doesn't understand the value of that kind of stuff;
9. Know that you will HAVE to educate them in order for them to become that "best friend" we all hear so much about. In the beginning, trust me, they are not your friends, they're just a cute and playful pain in the ass that jumps happily to whoever comes in the way (puppies in particular tend to adore everyone);
10. Know that when you acquire a pet it's supposed to be FOREVER so picture yourself in a few years...will you have space for a pet in your life when you accomplish those goals you have? That boyfriend with whom you plan to spend your life with...does he like animals? Does he WANT a pet in his life? Yeah....ups, right?

So, you know where I'm getting with this. I know this is not a fun post but I think it is important to put this information out there 'cause I felt cheated by all people that say puppies are this and dogs are that. Yes, I am much happier now than I was when my puppy wasn't here but that's not the point. My life is a mess, my house is a mess and I wake up really early and surrounded by crap every single day. And you know what? It's not easy and people who thing that having an animal is a piece of cake, shouldn't adopt one, at all.

There will be a part 2 and I promise you it will have a different and more funny/happy approach.

Please share this post if it made you think and if, even with all of this inside information, you still want to rescue a dog or a kitten...go ahead! Good luck and, yes, you will love them with all your heart, I know you will. 

One smile a day keeps the doctor away ;) bye bye

P.S.: follow me on Twitter, I'll be happy to welcome you :)