Adopting a puppy is a big decision. Do you have enough time for it? Are you willing to deal with not-so-pleasant accidents? More specifically, are you willing to give your whole self to this little one?

Some things you should get ready for: sleepless nights, carpet cleaning, saying "No!" and most importantly, giving as much love as your body can hold. You are going to wake up to your puppy whining because they want to sleep with you. You are going to find yourself walking up the stairs and tripping because your puppy slivered under your feet so gracefully. You are also going to have those times when you are stressed and think to yourself, is it worth it? Then you will look at the four legged bundle of joy and smile. All those sleepless nights and carpet cleaning will not even be in your thoughts anymore.

Having a puppy can make you happier.

They can be there for you when you feel the most alone or just need a friend. They are loyal to you and you never have to worry about your puppy talking behind your back or betraying you. As long as you give them the love that they need, they will look at you as if they cannot live without you. And in all honesty, having someone look at you like that is almost enough to cure that sadness or emptiness you have had for all this time.

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Having a puppy can make you selfless.

You start thinking less about yourself and more about them. You will find yourself sacrificing sleep and not complaining because your puppy needed you and you were more than happy to be there. You will find yourself skipping a night out on the town because leaving your puppy in their cage is not worth it. You will pick up extra shifts at work to give them the healthiest treats or the best vet. You will find yourself dropping your bad habits just so that your puppy can have the very best. All of this can make people think you're crazy, but that is okay. You are putting your little bundle of soft fur in front of you because you made that commitment.

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Having a puppy can prepare you for the future.

Think about it - puppies are a lot like children. They are needy, they whine, eat, play, poop and are practically just like babies except they have more hair! Of course having a child may take more work in the long run, I am a firm believer that having a puppy can prepare you for children you may have in the future. Think about it. You clean up after your puppy like you would with a baby. You give your puppy a bath like you would with a baby. You take your dog on a walk like you would put your baby in a stroller (puppy strollers are a thing also!).

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Your puppy lives for you. You know you did something right if at the end of the day you can say, "I lived for them, too." The bond between a dog and you is a strong connection and it all starts from the beginning. Having a puppy is hard work. It is commitment and money. It is happy and angry. You might walk in and find your favorite pair of shoes torn to shreds but at the end of the day - you still love them like crazy.