Dogs are our best friends and become a part of our families. They are our protectors, snack sharers, and even sometimes our alarm clocks. I honestly can't remember what my life was like before I got my dog. However, I do know that my life is definitely better now that he is in it. This list is the things I've learned from my dog.
1. Personal space no longer exists.
My dog has sat on me and everything I own. If he can fit on it (which he probably can as he only weighs 12 pounds), he will sit on it. Sometimes I wake up from a nap and he's right on my face or I am trying to do something and he decides my shoulder is a great headrest. Either way, I don't mind. It's always nice to have a little company.
2. Everything you wear will have fur on it.
I do laundry all the time. When my clothes come out of the dryer, it's a rare moment that there are little to no traces of Ringo on them. However, I can't help myself. I put on my clothes and get ready to leave, but when I pet him and hug him good bye, it's all over. Throughout the day I'll notice Ringo underneath my phone case, in my coffee, or even in my own hair. Hey, it's the mark of a pet owner.
3. You'll never snack alone.
My dog can be asleep under the covers but as soon as he hears a wrapper, he's darting into the kitchen. Sometimes when I'm chopping up (cooked) chicken, he's waiting right under me in case I drop any. If I sit on the couch to eat, I can count on him to hold a staring contest with me until his pitiful little face makes me cave in and I am giving him the last bites of whatever it is. Dogs are the masters of getting you to share your food. If anything, I want them to teach me their tricks.
4. If you get up, the seat is no longer yours.
I don't know what it is about dogs. I can get up for two seconds and upon my return, I will see Ringo curled up in a ball where I was sitting, acting like he's been there all along. He is an opportunist. One time after getting up, I watched him as I backed my way into the kitchen. I turned away for a moment and heard the jingle of his tags clinking together and as soon as I looked, he was nestled in the seat. However, all I have to do is act like I'm going to sit on him and he gets the message to move out of the way. Two can play at this game.
5. There are no friends on bath day.
When I take off his collar and necktie, I know he's starting to get suspicious. He'll start to shake and cry, and when he hears the water start in the tub, he's planning his escape. I still snatch him up, and when I hold him over the bath, his last attempt to evade his fate is to dig his nails into my collarbones and try to climb away. It never works. He's all soapy and in the tub, crying and staring at me with this exact face. Yeah, I feel bad for him, but he's the one who chose to roll in the grass. Consequences, consequences.
6. You are appointed as an official belly-rubber.
Whenever I walk towards Ringo, his leg goes up and he looks at me until I give him what he wants. I rub his belly, walk away, and when I come back his leg is up again. If I stay and do it for a long time, he starts to roll around and get into weird positions so I can keep scratching. I'm always happy to do it though, because I think it's funny.
7. You have a napping partner.
Some of the best naps I've ever had have been with Ringo. A soft, warm, fluffy ball of fur can make for a great nap on cooler days. I often put him on the pillow next to me and eventually fall asleep while scratching his head. Also a bonus is little doggy snores. It's pretty cute. My snoring, however, is not.
8. You learn how to take care of something other than yourself.
Dogs are fun to have, but they're also a responsibility. It goes beyond making sure that they walk and have food and water. We make sure that Ringo gets immunizations, keep up with nail trimmings, and I try to stay consistent with his dental routine. Dogs can easily get a myriad of illnesses from not having their teeth taken care of. Dogs essentially have the same basic needs as humans, so taking care of them is just as important as taking care of you.
9. You realize it's hard to leave them behind.
Whenever we all have to leave, Ringo knows it. He starts to whine and cry and it breaks my heart to leave him. A long day for me probably feels even longer to him because he's all alone with nothing to do and he misses his family. We are our dogs' worlds. They depend on us as we do with them, but they're more confined than we are. We have classmates and co-workers. They just have us. When we leave, it's like the whole world is leaving them. The excitement when we come back though, it goes to show my next point.
10. Dogs love us more than they love themselves
When you come home, it's like Christmas to your dog. They get so excited to see us that they jump on us, attack our faces, and want to be picked up (no matter how much they weigh). Dogs are also fiercely loyal, they will save your life before their own. They are selfless and altruistic, and I honestly feel we could learn a thing or two from dogs.
11. Owning a dog makes you a better person.
Having Ringo in my life has been amazing. I've learned to be a friend, a caretaker, and how to enjoy the small things like taking a nap or sharing my food. I always tell people right before I go home, "I can't wait to see my dog!" because I miss him and I talk about him quite a bit. I really do love him with all my heart and he has taught me to love other animals as well. It breaks my heart to know that not every animal is treated like Ringo (who came from a neglectful background himself). I am happy that we were able to give him a better life, and he's given us better ones, too.
