This has been a topic of questioning that has been occurring in my mind recently. I cannot decide if I should get a dog or not. Close to a year ago, I turned 20 years old. I had the worst birthday of my life. I try very hard to make everyone’s birthday special, so I was more than disappointed with the outcome of mine. I think it is the one day that you can truly call yours each year, and should be a day you really enjoy.

Between family drama, a then-current boy drama, and an ex sharing news of moving on with someone new, I had a very awful birthday. I remember saying that night as I wished the day away, saying that my 21st birthday would be much better for a lot of reasons, but mainly because I would get myself a dog if no one else would!

I was very passionate about my answer, and I think some of my family members were thinking, ‘Okay, sure next year’. Well I was not kidding. I mean, I was saying it out of being upset, but I knew I meant it. Dogs have always brought me joy. They help people who suffer with anxiety and other disorders all the time. I am no stranger to anxiety, so it would be a good fit! They are supposed to be known as the forever friend, and that is what I wanted.

Now my birthday is six weeks away, it is of course on my mind if I should make such a move. I have been traveling the world the last 4 months, and returning home is a little overwhelming. I have a lot of things changing; do I really want to add a dog to that mix?

I question if it will bring me more chaos than joy? I don’t want to back down from what my heart said a year ago (even though I have always wanted a dog), and particularly in the last couple of months, as I have been telling everyone of my determination. Many say it’s not the right time, it is too much of a commitment, and it costs a lot of money.

I have never done life exactly in the right order. What is even the ‘the right order’ anyway? Will I regret the decision of getting a dog more than enjoying it? Dogs don’t break your heart, so that is a good reason to have one. They seem ever so excited to see you, even when you look gross or if they just saw you ten minutes ago. They enjoy the simple life, which I could probably use more of. I have loved traveling abroad, and I have grown up in many ways because of it. Being in countries you are unfamiliar with, and definitely don’t speak the language is quite a task. I feel that I have been successful, and it has left me feeling that I can take on the world! I feel like taking care of a dog would not completely out of capability for me.

I just don’t know what to do. At the end of the day, I will make the best decision for me. You can only listen/ ask for advice for so long. I am a big girl, and I need to make my big girl decision! I really beleieve that a dog will make me really happy. I am not nieve to the stress and different life adjustments that come along too. I want a forever freind...lets see if I will have one!