“It’s going to be hard”
In the beginning of this year we got a puppy. I’ve wanted a dog all my life, I grew up with my parents’ friend’s German Shepherd who I loved. My sister also had a Jack Russell that I watched as a puppy and spent a lot of time with over the years. Though my parents both like dogs they didn’t want to have one, so I grew up without pets (actually had fish, but that doesn’t count).
When I started to think about switching jobs from Ystad to Malmö and stop commuting I also started to think it was the perfect time to welcome a dog into the family. I figured it would teach my boys empathy and give them a sense of responsibility. And I would have a companion once the kids get older and want to spend less time with me and start moving out.
As I started to talk to people around me about having a dog the most common comment was “It’s going to be hard.” Or “It’s a lot of work.” Like I somehow blindly went into dog ownership. It was clear these people didn’t know me well. I have had dogs in my life before, even though I never had my own. I have also spent a gazillion hours watching Cesar Milan and that British dog trainer Victoria on TV and YouTube. I know a dog needs structure, commitment and is a lot of work. But why did people feel a constant need of reminding me of this?
First time meeting Winnie, four weeks old.
I have three kids. I’ve gone through three pregnancies and births, three postpartum periods, a lot of issues three times. But I can’t remember anyone responding to my “I’m having a baby” with “It’s going to be hard.” Why is that? I can without a doubt tell you that raising a child is much harder than raising a dog! Even though I’ve only had her for five months, it’s been less work than five months with a newborn. I have slept through the night (people kept telling me I would have to get up and take the puppy out, but I haven’t had to do that), I have had to watch her like a hawk and she has still managed to chew on walls, pee inside and steal socks. But it’s still less work than having a newborn. Not only that, my body hasn’t changed one bit (maybe a bit more in shape from going out more). When you have a baby your body changes, your hormones are out of whack, everything is like a rollercoaster. When you have a puppy none of that.
Of course all days with a puppy aren’t great. But not all days with children are either. I wish people would have kept their negative comments to themselves and been more supportive. “Oh wow, you’re having a puppy! That’s so special.” Because it really is. She looks at me with her big brown eyes and I think “How did we ever live without you?” I usually say that having my children is the best decision I’ve ever made, and right after that: getting a dog.
