Living a Puppy-less Life

I can’t believe I’m two years away from my 30’s and I’m still living a puppy-less life. I thought at this stage in my life I’d have at least a roommate that had a dog or a partner that I could trust to take care of each and every dog responsibility without my help. At this point I can imagine my fiancé yelling from the other room about the American Bulldog that he wants (me to take care of).

I now find myself being the person that stands at the dog park fence with a joker-like smile on my face watching the dogs. I’ve even begged friends to let me know when they take their dog’s to the dog park so I can finally step foot inside one of those most exclusive clubs in Chicago.

I’ve always wondered how long a dog-less person can stand at the dog park fence before it gets a little creepy. Asking for a friend… *cough* I’m at 5 minutes *cough*

You may be asking yourself: “But Shay, why can’t you just adopt your own dog and lose the title of “creepy” dog park lady?”  My response would be: “I’m at the stage in my life where I want a dog but I know I’m not ready for those guaranteed cold Chicago walks.” 

Me being ready for a dog is comparable to when I screamed at the top of my lungs that I wanted to go camping. So my friend, being the Eagle scout that he is, invited me to go camping.  It involved a 3 hour hike to the camp site and us carrying EVERYTHING on our backs. I quickly realized I just wanted to sit in-front of a bonfire, but I digress.

Even though I feel like I’m in Justin Timberlake’s Cry Me a River video whenever I see a dog I can’t pet, I still know this puppy-less life is for me.

As I get older, I am able to be honest with myself about the level of responsibility that I’m ready to take on. I know dogs are cute but it takes a special person to be able to coordinate when you walk your dog, whose taking care of them even if you’re gone for one day, etc.

But until I’m ready to bring a dog into my life, I’ll just have to keep putting bandanas on my cat and watching the dogs from afar.

xoxo

– Shay