Lap Dogs Need Not Apply
Lap dogs need not apply. My lap is full. See?
But do you ever get sucked into Craigslist, PetFinder or your local shelter web page and find yourself wanting every dog you see? *sigh* I do. I have to stay away from those sites. Or the Facebook pages I follow for lost dogs in my area. I want to take them in and foster them until the owner is found. I can’t. I have four dogs and two cats. I’m recovering from chemo. Sure, I have an endless supply of Jones Natural Chews and love, but a limited supply of energy and ability at the moment. Lap dogs, however, have become my weakness.
Once upon a time I was anti lap dog. Tiny, yippy things that can’t control their bladder and are easily stepped on. I know! How on earth could I think that way?! But Chewy changed my heart toward little dogs. Gadget, not so much. But we all put up with him for his own sake. He can’t help being ugly and clingy. For an ugly dog, he sure is photogenic.
How Many is Too Many?
In many places the city or county tell you how many dogs is too many. It’s my experience that dog lovers don’t follow those guidelines very well. Rules aside, I think too many is whatever takes you past keeping things tidy and the dogs and yourself well cared for. Slipping into a hoarder situation is probably simple to do past a certain point. I find that with most things in life it helps to set rules for yourself and stick by them. For us, four might be too many. So lap dogs need not apply. We’re full up.
Here’s the thing – dogs and people both have needs. Basic needs of food, shelter and sanitation, as well as the need to have a job to do, and care for others. If you’re not able to give your dogs AND YOURSELF these things, maybe you have too many dogs. You could easily drop in cats or rats or rabbits or whatever here. And I’m not giving a number. I’m just saying, take care of yourself and others. If you can’t do that, seek help. It’s important.
Maybe I watched too many seasons of Hoarders while I was recovering from chemo.
And sometimes life just comes up and bites you on the butt. For myself? Had it not been for Hunny stepping up to do literally EVERYTHING this last year, I probably would have had to rehome all the animals. All of them. Chemo is that devastating. It was almost too much for Hunny, caring for all of them, me, and himself. There comes a point when you have to be honest with yourself. It’s only because of my mother, friends and family that we made it through.
But I Want!
In hard times we tend to want things which aren’t good for us. I eat more than I should, and not good foods. I also want more animals. I assume it’s because I want more unconditional love when I’m feeling beat up or am beating myself up. But I have to go back to the basic tenets. Am I able to adequately care for both myself and the animals I currently have? Or is this self medicating, taking in more critters? It’s hard to be honest with yourself when you’re in a bad place. But it’s cruel later on if you’re not. Make these decisions when you’re in a good place. Not when you’re in a bad place. Your dogs will thank you.
Why am I so despairing today? I’m not sure. I guess I’m in a phase of cancer recovery which has me dragging. Chemo has been over nearly two months. I’m not back to normal, but I expected to be by now. Little set backs make me both sad and angry, and this week I had a set back. I did it to myself, eating bad food, and was sick for three days. People treats, like dog treats, should be healthy and wholesome. *sigh* But I’m better today and reflecting on my life. You reap the rewards. You’re welcome.
Giveaway
Speaking of rewards, Jones Natural Chews is giving away healthy and wholesome treats your dog will love. Stick around long enough and you’ll see that we’re always giving away the world’s best dog treats. Right now it’s our Wuv You Treats for Valentine’s Day! Lap dogs need to apply. Big dogs, too. They’re pretty darn amazing. And they’ll make your dog smile. Which will make you smile. Click this sentence to get to the entry post, will ya? And tweet daily to increase your chances of winning.
Now go. Make your own rules. Stand by them. And treat yourself as well as you treat your dogs.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea