Dog Days Ahead

My experiences owning dogs have led me to multiple conclusions and discoveries. This time, I want to share some of the thoughts I go through as I embark on my process of finding a dog. You should know, I never look at a dog as just a dog; it's a member of the family. Believe it or not, there are many aspects to consider while searching for a dog and I do believe everyone should consider every aspect, issue, and fur ball. Why is it so important to realize the ins and outs of a dog before taking the new member home? Well, how would you like it if your parents decided you just weren't a good fit for the family and they could return you? Now, don't get me wrong, I made my mistakes as a young college student itching to get a dog. Let's look at Barkley for example. 

Barkley seemed like the most perfect dog in the world the second I laid eyes on him and he was. We got along great, enjoyed visits to the park, and he even had a special spot in bed. After 2 years of having Barkley, I knew more about him than anyone could imagine. The problem was, it wasn't all good and I wasn't all that mature. For starters, Barkley would try to attack friend's children. This was completely innocent as he's a dog. If I had a problem with that behavior, I should have questioned it before taking him home. He was just the type that didn't understand what the heck these miniature creatures were no matter what I tried. Heck, he'd even growl and snarl at new people he just decided he wasn't going to like. Still, it was no reason for me to get rid of him. I could never justify that. It wasn't until one day that I received a notice on my door that I had never paid the pet deposit for Barkley. Unfortunately, that was $400 I just didn't have. I came to the conclusion that I hadn't been fair to Barkley in the recent months and had barely been home enough to give him the attention he deserved. Funny enough, this is an excuse that upsets me on a daily basis now. Lucky for me, my ex agreed to take Barkley. Giving him up was the hardest thing I ever had to do. It seemed like it was in Barkley's best interest at the time. It seemed selfless. While there may be some truth to that, the real truth is that you know you're committing to taking a dog for the next 15+ years when you adopt them. You know what your pet deposit will cost or you find somewhere else to live. You know the details of the commitment and you would never just decide to find a new home for your child. Barkley was like my child. So, while Barkley was a learning experience for me, I've started this blog in the hopes that someone else can learn from my mistakes. I was lucky enough to be able to give Barkley a home with someone he already loved as much as me but dogs have feelings and hearts just like humans and it's possible there's something missing without me in his life.

If you don't believe me, I would strongly recommend the following video of a woman reuniting with her dog. Take a look HERE. 

Stay tuned for more! Thanks for reading!