How Much Is That Doggie In the Window . .

So for Christmas, one of the presents I opened from Sam was this. Yes, that is exactly what you think it is. A dog collar.

I think I screamed. I've certainly never been so excited about anything in my life. You see, ever since Sam and I got married [four years ago already! can you believe that?!], I've wanted a dog. I see other couples walking their dog and sigh wistfully. But Sam wasn't ready for a dog. And then with this present, he was saying, "Let's become parents!" [sort of] He even talked to our landlady, and she was totally excited about it. She even offered to watch it for us when we'd be gone a long time. It was going to be perfect.

We were out of town for Christmas, so we planned to go puppy shopping when we got home, meaning the puppy would be a Christmas/anniversary present. How incredibly awesome is that?

So for the week preceding this exciting day, all I could think of were dogs. All kinds.

This kind:

This kind:


This kind:

This kind:

Etc.

Aren't they so adorable?

Well, I wrote down the addresses of all of the shelters in our area, and that Monday (the 28th) we went puppy shopping. We went to nearly ten different shelters [which is really quite impressive, if you think about it], and at the last one we found the perfect dog.

A black lab female, about a year old. So sweet and so eager to be involved in whatever we were doing. And she wasn't that big, either. Maybe fifty pounds, max.

And then I froze.

All of a sudden, I was like, "Wait a minute. We could be bringing her home. She could become a part of our family. It would never be just me and Sam again."

And that was that. No dog.

Confession: I have a fear of commitment when it comes to adopting a dog.

I totally couldn't handle it--and after years of wishing and begging for one. How totally weird is that? Haha.

I'm not saying I don't want a dog, ever. Far from it. I would love a dog in the future. Perhaps five years from now, when Sam is [hopefully] done with school and when we [hopefully] have a house and when we [hopefully] have at least one little munchkin running around underfoot. I would especially love a goldendoodle [the first picture] or a cockapoo [the second picture]. I'm just not ready for one now.

But the experience has taught me a few things. 1: I'm willing to pay good money for a dog that doesn't shed [primarily because of my allergies, but also because of how much less sweeping/vacuuming I'll have to do]. 2: There is a time and season for everything [and this is not the time or the season for a dog]. 3: Daydreaming about having a dog is very different from facing the possibility of actually bringing one home.

I'm sure I learned more, but I don't feel like thinking about this more in-depth than I have already.

Anyway, seeing as how I can't handle a commitment to a dog, I started thinking of what else I could own and take care of and love. [Besides George, the Build-A-Bear Sam got me for our first Valentine's Day. He's ridiculously low maintenance.]

I'm thinking I'm ready for this:

I think I can handle a hamster. I'm pretty excited about it, actually. I was thinking of Rhino for a name, in honor of the furry little critter on Bolt. Sam suggested something more Lord of the Rings-esque, which I am also firmly in favor of. What do you think? Can I handle a hamster? Any other suggestions of small, relatively low-maintenance pets? [preferably furry ones] I'm open to suggestions.

[all images via Google Images]