It's a conundrum all too many young people face: loving animals but also having the self-awareness to know that you don't really have the resources currently to care for an animal. As one of these people, I've found that there's a certain number of universally true patterns we all fall into:
1. Becoming an avid dog-spotter
Whether or not you actually participate in any sort of organized dog-spotting group on Facebook or elsewhere, you’ve become highly skilled at spotting puppers while out and about. On more than one occasion, you’ve grabbed a friend by the elbow and whisper-shouted, “DOG!" in their ear while the dog in question is still a block away. You are as good at spotting dogs as dogs are at spotting squirrels, though your interactions (hopefully) don't end with you carrying away the puppy in question between your teeth.
2. Getting a little too familiar with your friends' pets
Attempting to bribe your friends' pets into loving you is a truly masterful maneuver. It’s a technique I’ve all but mastered, which includes singing this song to the sweet little puppy/kitty in question. (Fun fact: I discovered recently that this song was not as much of an early-2000s pop culture staple as I had assumed it was, as it turns out the only people who really listened to it were me and my neighbors because they had a VHS tape with the music video on it.)
3. Greeting dogs (but not their owners) on the street
It's a ballsy move, but in all honesty people with cute dogs should know that this comes with the territory. Do you have a cute dog? People are going to want to talk to your cute dog. Duh.
4. Nursing an avid obsession with cat cafés
If you haven't been blessed with one locally, you’re probably still guilty of devouring every last BuzzFeed listicle written about them. Cat cafés are the best thing that have ever happened to me or any other kitty lover currently navigating a kitty-free living situation. Also, if you ignore the little sign hanging on the wall where they list the kitties names, you get the indescribable rush on naming every last one. There is truly no sensation as life-affirming as the utter treat that is blessing a kitten with a ridiculous name that everyone will be forced to call them from that moment onward.
5. Watching your Instagram feed slowly get taken over by celebrity animals
There are so many Instafamous animals out there it's easy to get carried away and soon enough, you find yourself following more animals than humans. It’s honestly the best way to maximize the good vibes on your feed. Also, I'd like to personally recommend my personal fave Internet cat: @willowthesquishycat.
6. Searching for pets at every party you visit
In general, animals are better than people. So it’s only natural to seek out animals wherever you go. You earn bonus points in this eternal scavenger hunt when you find an unconventional pet such as a guinea pig or a Tamagotchi.
