After owning dogs for over three years, here a list of things that people who are considering getting dogs need to know and understand, before actually getting one:
1. Dogs are expensive as hell.
Even the healthiest of dogs will cost quite a bit of money over the course of a year. The first trip to the pet store after adopting your dog will cost you a few hundred dollars easily. On top of that, you will most likely want to get a vet checkup right away and then maybe one or two more times throughout the course of the year. It also adds up each month when you have to buy more food or treats or toys or even when your dog will inevitably destroy something in your house.
2. Dogs will inevitably destroy something in your house.
You will accidentally leave something out like your favorite slippers or a hat, and then boom. Torn to shreds. If you are lucky enough for this not to happen, I will put money that your dog will eventually take some food from the counter or even open cabinets to get to the cookies when you aren't home. It'll happen, trust me and the other 657,985 (extremely "accurate" number) people who have dogs.
3. You have to completely rearrange your house from top to bottom.
You know those shelves in your bathroom with Q-Tips and toilet paper on them? Yeah, you're going to need to move all of that. A dog will find each and every loose object in their reach and decide to eat it or move it across the house. Get ready to doggy proof your house and continuously find new and improved hiding spots for all loose objects.
4. I hope you like to vacuum.
Unless you adopt a hypoallergenic dog, you will be vacuuming at least 34 times a week. You might not realize it at first, but the amount of fur that will accumulate on your floors within a week could be used to knit a sweater. It is absolutely crazy how much dogs shed. So, if you love to vacuum, dogs are the perfect animals to have around.
5. You have to completely adjust your schedule to make sure that the dog's schedule goes uninterrupted.
Yes, that is right, the dog's agenda is way more important than your own. I had to make sure that my class schedule was not too demanding each day to make sure that I could be home enough to let my dog out and take care of him. Not exactly a terrible thing since my classes are in blocks of just two at a time.
6. Rain or shine dogs need walks.
It sucks when the weather is bad, but you have to do it. On nice sunny days, it is easy to give your dog a walk and not see it as a chore, but once that rain and snow starts up you begin to dread walking your dog each and every single time. Either way, it needs to be done.
7. Dogs will be at your side 24/7 when you are home.
This is awesome but can be annoying at times. Need to use the bathroom? Be ready to have your dog try and follow you in. Need to take a shower? Your dog might even start the water for you so he can stay by your side. Need to take a nap? Best believe your dog will be down for that and lay down right besides you. Getting space is important, but there is nothing like having a dog with you all the time.
8. Had a bad day? Get ready to have it brightened.
Once you open the door to your place and see your dog waiting there with its tail wagging all of your worries and stress will melt away. It is single handedly the best feeling in the world. Seeing that goofy look on your dogs face as you enter your place lets you know that no matter what happened in your day before, none of that matters to your dog. All he wants is a pat on the head and a good belly rub, which is also scientifically (maybe) proven to make your day 100 times better.
9. Dogs live to please.
You could walk in and see your place trashed by your dog. He will feel guilty and as you walk around the destruction, you'll be able to pick up on how bad your dog feels. No matter how much you scold your dog or try to ignore it for the bad deeds done, I will be you that he continues to look at you and try to make you happy. That is the beauty of dogs. They live and forget. You can yell at them one second and scare them a little, and then five seconds later your dog is trying to curl under your arm for a head rub and some loving. It's beautiful.
10. Your dog will be your best friend.
Like I said before, you can yell at your dog and he will still never leave your side. He'll take your venting and turn it into a therapeutic belly rub. Who knows who has the better deal there, but who really cares. Your dog will always be there for you and will always want to be there for you. No other person or animal will care so much when you walk out that door and look forward to seeing you walk back through that door. It could be for ten seconds, your dog will look at you like you have been gone ten years when you walk back in. Nothing, and I mean nothing will ever compare to that.
So there you have it. Dogs are a ton of work to own and have, but the payoff is worth it. Consider everything when looking into adopting and make sure it is a good fit for you given your circumstances at the time. If you can make it work financially and are ready to commit time and effort to a dog, it will be the best decision of your life.
