Sunday, February 03, 2008

I want a dog...

But!

I really would like a dog. I think that our cat needs a buddy as he gets pretty lonely and then gets into things that he shouldn't. He gets plenty of attention when we are home but he can be a bit "needy" at times, mostly after we have been gone for several days in a row or we come home late. My dh would like to get another cat but I don't want another litter box and I am afraid that we won't get as lucky personality wise again. Our cat is pretty outgoing, lazy, and very loving but will we be as lucky again? So many cats I have met are pretty tempermental and I want another pet to cuddle... not one that is mean and standoffish.

I have always wanted a dog. Ideally a greyhound or a purse dog. DH isn't all that fond of dogs and does not want a barker. But, he has agreed to get a dog since it is what I want. While I am excited, I am also apprehensive. Why? Because what if my mega desire for a dog right now, even though it has been ongoing for a long, long time, is just to find a substitute for the baby/child that I can't have right now? Well...most likely can't have forever but I am still hoping that someday, something will work out. Is that fair to the dog? To my dh who really doesn't want a dog? To the cat who may or may not be a dog hater?

I do want a dog. I don't want to be acclimating a dog to our home in the snow but definately would like one in the spring... But the fear that it is just a soothing decision is still there. Bah-- I really should be in therapy!

8 comments:

Diane said...

I'm Kristi's cousin. I read your blog occasionally. It sounds like yours would be a very loving home for a dog. I think your husband would end up loving it, too. Dogs are a lot harder to care for than cats, though. I have 2 miniature schnauzer dogs and 3 cats - but I work at home. I run a day care. It's hard to make arrangements for the dogs when we leave for a day or more. I have 3 litter boxes for the cats and scoop them daily. I can leave them for a couple of days with plenty of food and water without being checked on. Before I had kids, my cats were definitely our babies - part of the family. (Didn't have dogs then.) I think it is very comforting to have pets to love. I don't think you would go wrong with getting another cat, either. I've had a lot of cats in my life and have always gotten along with all of them. Good luck on your decision! :)

Annie said...

Another litter box is an added chore but the doggie isn't going to be able to keep the kitty company unless you got someone coming to check and let him out a couple times a day at least. Where as with cats you can leave them with enough food, water and a clean boxes. Of course you might come back to even more mess when they decide to party while you are gone LOL.

Deb said...

Thanks for the comments. More food for thought since both of your comments were very similar to DH's view of "Pet Care". Still thinking about it of course... good thing we have a record of slow decision making LOL!

Anonymous said...

mew mew mew mew mew mew mew mew mew mew meow!

mew mew,

Neelix

Kristi said...

Translated:

While I can't fathom sharing MY domain with a lesser life form (dog), I love you enough to go along with whatever you decide!

Your marshmallow-eating friend,

Neelix

Deb said...

ROFLOL!!

At both of you!

Anonymous said...

kristi -- nice play. That's pretty damn close.

marty

a/k/a Nadine said...

I should preface this by saying that I am a dog person, plain and simple. I don't think cats are designed for indoor use, even though I am currently sharing my living space with two of them. The dog is higher maintenance in some ways, but he is also much less destructive. One more thing for you to consider is that many dogs like to snack from the litter box...