There is a reason so many of us “waste” valuable time watching cat and dog videos. They are so stinkin’ cute and funny! Even my efficiency-loving husband can spend half an hour watching funny pet videos on YouTube and even call me in to watch. Fluffy creatures have a way of lifting our spirits.
We are attracted to soft and cuddly fabrics, such as plush comforters and pillows. Children all over the world have cushy stuffed animals. There is a special comfort we feel when soft, warm, cozy materials touch our skin.
Ramsey
From the time we got married, Eric and I both dreamed of getting a puppy. And not just any puppy, but the quintessential perfect dog (at least, for us!) – a Golden Retriever. Not that I’m biased, but I still think Golden puppies are the cutest pups to come off the show room floor. Before we got our sweet Ramsey, I dreamed of cuddling with a small, poofy ball of fluff; yet, I had no idea how busy a young dog would be! Curious puppies don’t have time to cuddle! ~smile~
I wanted to jump in with all fours and get a dog as soon as possible. Eric, being the sensible one, knew that the timing was not quite right for a high-energy dog; but, just as soon as I made plans to begin working from home, we found an excellent breeder and began the dog adoption process. I actually teared up when Eric was talking to our breeder on the phone for the first time.
Several months later, we were finally able to bring her home. She was so cute! Occasionally, I’ll scroll through old pictures just to remind myself of how tiny and adorable she was at eight, nine, and ten weeks old. It amazed me how quickly she grew!
Though she needed training (and still isn’t perfect four years later, though mostly!), that little ball of fluff changed our lives. She’s there to meet Eric at the door after a long day, keeps me company, and alerts us to strange sounds (and even barks at the wind from time to time… [what does she see?]).
Eric’s favorite Ramsey feature is her cuddliness. He has her trained to jump onto the bed and snuggle up to him. Over the years, I’ve even sneaked a few pictures of them snoozing together.
Knowing what I know now, I’m glad Eric was strong and had us wait until we had the time and resources to properly care for a dog. We are truly thankful to have a super-fluffy, incredibly sweet golden retriever to make our days better. It’s hard to stay in a bad mood with her sweet, smiling face looking at me. ~smile~
Pet Store Date!
So, what better place to take your sweetie than a pet store filled with puppies and kittens?! It’s not a common date and it comes with free cuddle therapy!
Treat your honey to a nice meal and then a tour of your local pet shops. You don’t have to spend hours examining each animal. Even a few minutes of cuteness can help the weight of the week melt away! I’m a doggie person, so maybe I’m biased. But, it’s worth a shot! Maybe a stop by your local pet store is just what the doctor ordered?
One of my dear friends occasionally goes to her local pet store on her lunch break just for a little puppy love. Pets can help relieve and reduce stress; and, even if it’s not the right time for you to adopt your own, you can still enjoy animals at pet stores, friends’ homes, and even zoos!
Talk About Pets
If you want to have a house full of pets (or even just one), it’s a good idea to talk about it now with your sweetheart. Let the expectation be known so your sweetie has a chance to think about it and decide if he or she can live with a house full of fur (not to mention discovering if there are allergies!).
If you have no intention of ever owning a pet, you owe that bit of knowledge to your potential mate as well. For some, a no pets clause is a deal-breaker. Also discuss potential timelines for adopting pets; and, please, please, please do not adopt high energy dogs if you do not have the time to properly train and exercise them. It’s not fair to the them and they may destroy your belongings with all their pent-up energy!
Hiding your true feelings about pets now and hoping to bring your sweetie around to your way of thinking later is not the wisest move. You may not have a clue the fight you are in for if you try to keep your future spouse from getting a pet – or from bringing his or her pet into the marriage. You may have an equally challenging time trying to convince your new spouse to get a pet.
Respect each other enough to be transparent about the issues that mean the world to you. Don’t hold back and then hope for the best later. Is it fair to call your new spouse selfish for not wanting a pet if you withheld those expectations prior to marriage?
Get Your Cuddle On
Find a pet store, petting zoo, or some friendly neighborhood pups, and get some pet therapy this week. Take some time to talk about your desire, or lack of desire, for pets, and talk about the kind of pets you’d like to have. How a person relates to animals can tell you a lot about him or her!
Have you and your sweetie discussed the role pets will play in your future marriage?