I am toying with the idea of getting another pet. Now, just to be clear, I already have a dog. The miniature dachshund, Oscar, who was a rescue animal. For the first time in over ten years, I am down to only one pet. That must be some kind of record and it may be why I’m feeling the need to ‘acquire’.
I don’t know why I do this to myself. I complicate my life unnecessarily. I love animals. But I also love to travel, even if it’s only for the weekend with friends. Having a bevy of pets causes all kinds of issues. Mainly either boarding them or getting someone to come to your house twice a day to care for them. Two of my granddaughters actually do some pet-sitting for their friends. They go stay at the friends’ homes while they pet-sit because it is easier and the pets become less anxious. Having a houseful of pets makes life more complicated.
I grew up on a farm, with all kinds of animals – cows, pigs, horses, chickens, the works. But we also had dogs and cats as well. That has spilled over into my life and I just can’t imagine a life without animals in it.
For a few years, I had a job where I had a long commute, so I lived in an apartment during the week and came home for the weekends. In the apartment complex, I wasn’t allowed to have any sort of animals. Ugh. It was so quiet to come home to an empty apartment with no one there to greet me, as if I were the most important thing on earth! So I got a Beta fish. He had a lot of personality and was a very good pet, though fish are not very cuddly! Additionally, I pushed the limits of my renters’ agreement and got a canary. He was a little more interactive than the fish but, wow, was he messy!
As soon as I could, I bought a house. Then, I got a dog. An adorable little miniature dachshund. She filled the empty space in my life and made living away from my family much easier to bear.
So, here I am again, on my own, down to only one senior dog who wants nothing more out of life than to eat and sleep and occasionally bark maniacally at imaginary intruders.
What about Mr. Boots, the feral cat, you may be thinking. As I predicted, Boots disappeared one day and has never returned. And, believe me, that made my heart heavy. I would like to know for sure that he is safe somewhere, that he decided to take up with someone who fed him better food or scratched under his chin just so or gave him more affection. I fear that is not the case. I have had no glimpse of him since he skittered out the utility room door that last time. There are many things that could have befallen him and I simply choose to not think of them. I will remember him fondly.
Dogs are, by far, my favorite animal to have as a companion but as soon as I consider getting a new puppy, I think of the responsibility of house training and wonder if I really want to take on that commitment. I’m pretty sure I don’t. And, besides, Oscar doesn’t like puppies… He’s old and crotchety!
A kitten is easy to train. Just give them a box to dig in and you’re done! But Oscar has never really warmed up to any cats that have invaded his space. I really, in general, don’t care for cats either. I’m old and crotchety too, I suppose.
I look at Oscar, asleep on the rug, rolled up like a mummy in his blanket. He’s pretty content with his life the way it is. I glance around my office, at the nest I’ve made in this space where I work. It is basically where I live. I, too, am rolled up in all my comforts, just like the pup. I’m pretty content, as well.
Maybe we’ll just get a fish.
