I'm going back to work today and trying to get over my jet lag. I think I fell asleep around 4am last night (10pm US east coast time) but I finally dragged myself out of bed at 9:30 this morning.
Spending Christmas at home this year was great! I was really happy to be able to share our Christmas traditions with Christophe (it was his first American Christmas). We stuffed ourselves a little too much though over there (restaurants, greasy food..too much food!) and since we've been back, we haven't been all that hungry. It was so nice to see my friends too even though it was kinda short. I was really happy to be able to come home this year and spend the holidays with my family. Christmas isn't the same without them.
So that puppy I've been wanting, I've been begging and making the poutty face and last night Christophe finally cracked. He said that we could get a dog!!! But now that he actually said yes, I'm really imagining the dog in our small apartment. Since I don't work full time, I have plenty of time to take it for walks and to train it but now I'm a little nervous. I've been wanting a dog for years and now that it's actually possible I'm putting the reality into my imagination. It'll also be my first dog. I know that the best place for a dog is a house with a yard but we're going to be moving around a lot because of Christophe's placement so we wouldn't be able to get a house for a while. But what do all of you think, especially those of you who have dog or have owned a dog in the past? I will be the only one taking care of the dog until the summer because Christophe won't have time for it and our apartment is a little small but if I have the time and the motivation to get this dog, should I still get it? It's all I've been thinking about for months and I really think I'm ready. Here's my future puppy (hopefully):
(Image taken from The Daily Puppy)
Isn't he adorable. So give me your feedback, considering our situation, is this the right time to get a puppy?
3 comments:
We were supposed to be flying on NYE too, but our flight was cancelled and we didn't get back home until 36 hrs later. Glad to hear you guys didn't have the same problem, but lame of the airplane to not give you champagne!
The puppy is cute! But be ready to be frustrated, and be ready to give up spur of the moment trips unless he can come along, and to have a bit of added stress to your long trips, like going back home. My hubby and I got two cats when we were living in a little 45m2 apartment and it was trouble from day one. We are now living in a bigger place which is much better for them, but it was awfully crowded before we got here. When we went away last summer to Spain and then this xmas to the US, we had to ask friends to come and watch them because all of the people who board were full. You'll have to think about those kind of things far, far in advance if you want to board him at the best kennel.
Also, vet bills are super expensive here. It's probably somewhere between 200€-500€/yr for our two little rascal cats and that's not to mention food and other costs.
My advice would be to make sure you are really committed, for better or for worse, and that you've got the budget for it. The worst thing is having a pet that you love cause you stress because you are running low on funds and feeling crowded in your apartment.
It's not really hard, it's just a change in our organisation before we go anywhere, but it's totally worth it. If it's what you want and you've thought it through, you should go for it :)
I would say, having had three to four dogs in my life, that esp. if this is the first time you're training, you might want to wait until the summer.
I'm in the same boat, I've been dying for a puppy but am waiting a bit.
My suggestion is wait until both of you have the time to train a little guy. Getting a puppy has big rewards, but can also be extremely frustrating. I'd hate for you to have to go through it all alone given his difficult schedule. So wait until it smooths out... summer's only six months from now!
Thank you both for your opinions as experienced pet owners. I think we're definietly going to wait a few months until finances get better and until we'll both be able to spend some more time training the puppy. Thanks a lot!
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