There’s a big difference between loving dogs from afar and bringing home your first furry family member. You can read all the inspiring pet stories you want, but there’s no substitute for real-life experience. Dogs are messy, tiring, and sometimes frustrating. They chew your shoes and pee on the carpet, and some of them keep you up at all hours of the night. Being a pup parent isn’t for everyone, but you know beyond a doubt it’s exactly what you want. Shedding, barking, and indoor accidents aside, there are things about your dog that make you fall in love every time you see her furry face. She’s your best friend, and you wouldn’t change this crazy, sleep-deprived, fur-covered life for anything.
- Your dog watching you go to the bathroom isn’t as awkward as it sounds. It’ll get to the point where you’re offended if your pup chooses to keep snoozing on the couch instead of following you on your bathroom break. You watch her pee, why shouldn’t she watch you?
- You’ll exercise by going on walks, but you’ll burn most of your calories getting up to let your dog outside. You’ll then immediately get back up when she changes her mind and wants to come in. Repeat this process countless times every day, and you’re halfway to your fitness goals.
- Cooking is so much easier when you don’t have to pick up food you drop on the floor. Even if your dog doesn’t immediately pounce on that dropped carrot, you can leave it knowing she’ll have a nutritious treat later. It’ll be a good appetizer for the fresh food you feed her every day.
- You’ll end up meeting all your neighbors and talking to random people on the street because everyone wants to pet your dog. But at the same time, most people will completely ignore you as they proceed to talk directly to the fluff-ball on the other end of the leash. And yes, they will use a baby voice.
- Finding dog hair in your cereal isn’t a big deal. You barely taste it after a while. A FURminator, however, will be your new favorite possession.
- Dogs have selective hearing. Your dog will forget she has ears if you say “bath” or “settle down.” Words like “walk,” “treat,” and “ball,” however, will bring her back to the land of the hearing. The little genius knows a lot more English than she wants you to think.
- There’s no better alarm clock than the sound of a dog about to vomit on your carpet.
- The world is full of fascinating smells you’ll never get to experience. Tree stumps, light poles, random blades of grass—everything smells amazing. You’re required to wait patiently as your dog thoroughly sniffs everything in sight.
- “I can’t, I need to get home to my dog,” is a legitimate excuse to get out of social events you’d rather not attend.
- You’ll start thinking twice about petting any dog that’s not your own. Not only is your dog obviously superior, she’ll know you cheated on her as soon as you walk through the door.
- Activities like hiking, running, biking, and going through the Starbucks drive-thru are way more exciting when you have a dog with you.
- Dogs change their minds quickly. One minute they’re jumping for joy ready to go on a walk, and the next they’re sprawled across the sidewalk refusing to move. Pup parenting is a lesson in patience, that’s for sure.
- There’s nothing more nerve-wracking than trimming a dog’s nails. And you’ll never forgive yourself if you cut too short. A good pair of nail clippers will come in handy.
- Dogs are so much nicer than people. Did a dog ever judge you for using dry shampoo three days in a row or give you the finger on the way to work? Of course not. Dogs represent everything good in the world. We don’t deserve them.
- Even when she’s ripping stuffing out of your pillows and pooping in the house, you wouldn’t trade her for the world. She’s your baby and your best friend, and you’ll love her forever.
