Monday, July 09, 2007


I am not an animal person.

Growing up we had our share of pets, a few of whom we ate (hey it was Dubai!)

This weekend I fell in love. I met a little Yorkie named Peanut. I am not sure if it was its miniscule size, its sweet little eyes, or its overly cautious nature that took me in, but like a good date, I can’t stop thinking about him.

I spent all day re-searching where to buy one. After getting over the initial shock at the price tag ($1000 for a dog???,) I am starting to wonder if I’d make a good pet owner. I’ve always felt that some pet owners go smidge overboard in their overzealous admiration of their pets. Always seemed to me a little suspect all that cooing, ahhing and buying them mini clothes, as if they were compensating for their ticking biological clocks.

My last boss was a single lady who lived with her two cats. I still remember the day when they passed on, I have never seen anyone so heart broken. She cried all day long, and to be honest I didn’t get it. I guess once you’ve seen starving people, its hard to take an animal too seriously, no matter how cute. But I do understand how you could get very attached.

That little incident ruled out cats, and I thought I had pretty much ruled out a dog, until I met peanut. Big dogs aren’t my thing really, all that walking and poohing all over the place. Also there is something a little iffy about walking behind a dog reverently scooping up his poo while he dawdles along.

Now peanut has put me a in a befuddle. I don’t even need a dog, I may not even be that good at it. It would probably cause havoc on my social life, I would have to run home after work to make sure that the dog isn’t lonely. I could never go away on weekends without taking it with me or leaving it in someone’s care. I would have to buy silly things like pet insurance….

Yet I can’t stop thinking about Peanut and his cute little face.

13 comments:

Miz JJ said...

Owning a pet is too much responsibility for me. Plus, I am not a huge fan. I think pets are dirty and could not imagine taking my dog for a walk in the park and then letting him in my apartment. I don't like it when people wear their shoes in my house, but I am going to let a dog who rolls around in lord knows what sit on my couch, or even in my bedroom. Ew. No. Cute dog though.

dalia said...

a grand is about right for the cost of little peanut. bear in mind, that you and your busy life would leave the little thing in a position to become very neurotic and lonely, and likely destructive/depressed (yes, dogs do get depressed). as the owner of peanut's cousin, a westhighland white terrier, i would say that unless you have someone to look after the little one while you work, play, travel and well, live the life of a singleton, then don't even think about getting a dog.

i got my doggie as a christmas present, and the only reason it was a feasible option is because my dad retired three months after we got her, and the dog and dad had each other for comfort.

and let me tell ya, when that pooch kicks the bucket, there are going to be three grown people bawling their eyes out like a kid who's just licked his scoop of ice cream right off the cone...

Unknown said...

I think the pets cost so much because Americans are so damned attached to their pets. $1000 for a dog.In Jamaica, we simply take a neighbour's puppy and that's it.

Marika said...

Woof! She's gorgeous, you have to have her. Make sure you do your research though, most breeds have at least one unpleasant characteristic! My parents bought a Silky Terrier many years ago and THEN found out they are the one breed that can't be house-broken. Eeeuuuggghhh.

Jay said...

I think you just wanted to get that mullet post off the top of your page. There's really no reason to be ashamed about it.

bitsandgiggles said...

I have a Yorkie and I love her to death...but she's a ton of work. If you decide to take the plunge, check out some local doggie daycare places...the ones around here will pick up your dog in the morning and amuse her until you get home from work. It's, um, not cheap but it beats owning a neurotic dog.

George said...

CP ... no matter what kind of pet you have, after a while you become extremely attached to your pet. Cat, dog, chipmunk, snake ... you love it and when it dies, you cry.

The OE said...

$1000 is nothing, it will cost twice that just for vet fees every year, not to mention hair cuts, obedience school, dog sitting, and covert agent K-9 corps training. Maybe you should have a child instead?

Jdid said...

you also have to consider how it fits in with your family. if your people aren't dog people it could be a big mess

Crankyputz said...

Blog Portland, I can hide nothing from you, nothing et all...

Anonymous said...

I had to try 3 times to get past the first sentence. You're hilarious.

Yes, pets are like having kids. And if you're not ready for kids, you're not ready for pets.

I hate cats...they're so creepy (no pun intended).

Abeni said...

Just the price tag would be enuff for me to forget about owning him. Guess you figured out am not a dog person.

Yeah cats are soooo creepy

Anonymous said...

I feel about pets the same way several people feel about children. I like them when they don't belong to me, that way I can pat them and coo how cute they are and happily go home without them.

That would cramp my style. I'm only willing to make that kind of sacrifice for a child.