There's a saying...
Everybody who excitedly screams and says they want a pet, hasn't had the liberty of full-time living with a pet.
I write this post while listening to the continuous growls, threats and barks of my two male dogs who are currently at ends with each other.
I've been graced to handle a couple of animals, and after the first few years, the cuteness and loving phase reduces drastically.
That joy of "Ohh! Such a cute puppy!" Changes to threats like "[Dog's name] if you dare bite that!" And 80% of the time, they do dare bite it.
(Titan after a scuffle with the RottxPitbull mix)
In my twenty-one years of life, I've had 7 different dogs; 6 that I trained to adulthood and when I read this prompt and a few pet newcomers posts of them saying they want a puppy; I feel like a grandparent looking at newly weds about to start a family not knowing how this kids would fuck their plans up馃槀.
Dog training in my country, especially for mine that are home trained is as unprofessional as it gets. Part of it is my fault due to my lack of time for training at their puppy stage, another part is due to how expensive it takes to have them professionally trained.
I've seen a variety of characters from my dogs who stay between my 2 breeds of choice (Rottweiler and German Shepherd).
Then a whole new character from the newest pup I got, a Rottweiler mixed with a bulldog and he's the delinquent that I never knew I wanted.
Another thing people don't say enough about dog training is the noise!!
If you have a dog, the dog would let itself be known!
A full howl or bark or scream to announce to the neighborhood that "I am here!" Especially when you don't need to hear them.
Only time they are quiet is when they are asleep, eating or up to mischief, much like a child.
When we talk about animal training, despite the tone of my post, it really isn't that bad. There are loads of memories, laughs, funny moments and calm sessions.
Still, there are jump scares, hospital bills, food bills and disciplinary needs.
Before you get a pet, most likely a dog. Make sure you can afford a pet; financially, emotionally and intellectually.
Because having a dog is like having a kid, just that this one almost never grows up or slows down.
馃悤 A post in response to the India United prompt.
馃悤 All images are mine.