…but I really want one.
Crazy, right? Maybe it’s just a phase. Maybe I don’t really want another dependant…maybe I just *think* I want one. Not a human one. A canine one.
My constant canine companion J-dog died right before Christmas last year. Getting through the holidays was not something I ever want to repeat. It was brutal. But life went on and the grief faded. Early in 2010 we realized the freedom that not having a pet brings. We headed up to Pennsylvania for a spontaneous weekend get together with friends and didn’t expend any energy into finding someone to care for the dog! We didn’t have to time our return to town to coincide with the kennel’s hours. We didn’t worry about paying a pet sitter or kennel fees. It was lovely.
I convinced myself that being dog free was great! I didn’t have one more child wanting something from me. The dog fur dust bunnies were permanently disappearing from the corners.
But it’s funny how The Longing sneaks up on a person. Every now and then, I’d glimpse a dog and think how nice it would be to have a warm snuggly canine up against me. All the things I didn’t like about having a dog have been forgotten or minimized, and I can only remember the benefits.
A friend who went out of town suddenly asked me to watch her dog, and I happily accepted. It was perfect therapy for me as I loved on that pup and spoiled him rotten. I was sad when he had to go home.
And so I’ve been scouring a bunch of online adopt a pet websites. The county animal shelter, Craigslist, as well as several animal rescue sites, are some of the first pages I head to when I open my browser. I recognize dogs whose faces appear again and again. I want them to find good homes as much as I want to find The Perfect Dog.
The Husband tells me it’s not time yet, and he is right on so many levels. I argue, however, that our kids want a pet (they do, although I think they’d prefer a cat). I show him listings of particularly adorable dogs who pull on my heart strings. I keep looking, and turn away from the computer disappointed. I can’t stop thinking of dog names, I wonder who will be the right one, and when s/he will come into my life.
My heart longs.
My husband is all the time sending me pictures of dogs at the ASPCA that need to be adopted. I would love to have one, but I want to wait until my kid is a little less work because right now if I had to deal with a puppy AND my insane toddler, I might go bonkers.
.-= Carabee´s last blog ..Table Topics Tuesday: SHOPPING! =-.
This sounds very familiar. My 13-year-old dog passed away in January. I know it’s too soon for another dog, and I’m also appreciating the freedom of not having one (although I tend to feel guilty about liking it!). But I really miss having a pet.
Good luck – I hope you find the right dog at the right time.
.-= Florinda´s last blog ..Book Talk: *Get Lucky*, by Katherine Center (TLC Book Tour) =-.
I keep telling the kids it’s not the right time but their clock works differently than mine. Soon……..