Getting a Dog

This one goes out to Jeanne. The begging. The pleading. Here it is.

So, we have recently decided to get a dog. And honestly, if I have to hear one more time, "you don't need a dog," from anyone unsolicited, I may flip my gizzard. Guess what...I am not asking YOU to get a dog. I am not asking you to move in and take CARE of my dog. I am not asking you to walk the dog, or do ANYTHING with the dog. I am not, in fact, even asking you to LIVE here with the dog. Therefore, how about if you don't have anything nice to say, please don't say anything at all.

Now, there are a choice few of you that I have talked with personally, and asked for an opinion. That, to me, is different. If I specifically ask you what you think, then please tell me. Otherwise, please realize that you are not my parent, and that I am grown ass woman who can figure out what is right for her family. I am still constantly treated as though I am a 2 year old asking for a pony, and then getting the response of, "Well, you know that is a lot of responsibility..." Really? I figured I would just throw the dog in a cage for life and slap it around a little if it acts up.

It is actually to the point where I leave myself thinking, "Oh my gosh, am I not competent enough to take care of a dog? Is it too insanely hard that I can't handle it?" Recently I told a good friend that people think I am making a "RASH DECISION!" to which she replied, "What?! A rash decision?! You are just getting a dog! Clearly you are raising two children and you can handle a dog." That is what I thought, but other events are starting to make me believe that others view me as an invalid.

Either way, we are getting a dog. We have a few that we are going to see and see how they act with the kids. And don't worry, I won't be bringing our dog to your house any time soon, so now you can rest easy.