Growing up I did not have any pets. To be honest, I always thought pet people, dog people in particular were kind of weird. I never thought I was going to get a dog. I was told I was allergic at an early age so I didn’t think it was an option, unless I paid for a designer hypoallergenic breed.
My daughter is almost 9 years old and she has some learning challenges, hyperactivity, and anxiety. She has been asking me for a pet since she could talk. We got her to fish bowls with betas, but that wasn’t really getting us off the hook. This past spring, the day before Mother’s Day, we had an appointment to have her evaluated for tutoring and she said all she wanted was to have a dog. I have heard this many times before, but for some reason it really got me thinking.
I woke up on Mother’s Day and started just browsing rescue dogs in the area. I knew I didn’t want a puppy and I wasn’t really at this point it was even going to happen. But I saw a description of this dog that was 3 years old and wanted to be the only pet. She was being treated for heart-worm and needed a relaxed environment. She looked so cute in the picture I just had to go and see her. We went without the kids first to meet her to see if we really wanted to do it. Here is where my whole philosophy changed because Olive immediately melted my heart. We went home and got the kids so they could meet her too and we were all on board with taking her home.
I got the dog thinking that it would be therapeutic for my daughter, which I believe it is. I never thought it would be so therapeutic for me! I am so connected to Olive. She is my best friend and I want to love her and take care of her for the rest of her life. When I am feeling down, being around her can completely change my mood and make me feel happy. She is 100% love. It is a feeling that is almost inexplicable. She has opened my heart.
Now I totally get the dog people because I am one of them now. I thought it was important to share. If you are like I used to be and just don’t want all the responsibility and have several reasons why you wouldn’t want to do it, you may want to reconsider if you ever feel really lonely. Here is a picture of my sweet Olive who I have several nicknames for: schmoopy, smooshie, boo, etc.