This Is How I Changed 180 And Became A Dog Lover
This is a story that must be told. This is my story of how I changed from being a person who did not like pets to a person who simply adores her new 4-legged pet. I never thought I could love a dog until CoCo came in my life. While I will remember 2020 for many significant changes in my life, this has to be the single biggest one.
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My Interesting Backstory
Let me start with the backstory. My husband has always been a pet lover and had two dogs before we got married. Unfortunately, one expired before we met and the other some months after our marriage, so my exposure to a pet was very brief.
He had always wanted a dog but since I was not too comfortable, we never tread that path again.
I am not averse to animals and dog in general, but I did not want to keep a dog in the house for 5 main reasons.
My Reasons for Not Getting a Pet
1. Responsibility & Maintenance
Having a pet is like having another family member. If one has a pet, one has to be committed to taking care of the pet needs. Being a working wife and then a mom, I was not sure if I could manage the pet with my work and house responsibilities.
And with 2 daughters, the list of tasks to be done are never ending.
As my daughters grew older (they are in their teens now), the threesome (Including my husband) kept on trying to convince me. But my one Mommy dialogue “It’s either the dog or me” worked for many years.
Another reason for not agreeing was that I wanted my daughters to understand the commitment involved and participate equally in all the chores of the pet. They need to realise that a pet requires high maintenance & should not be only for their entertainment.
2. Dog Smell
I always felt that houses that have dogs as pets, smell and I somehow could not take that smell. Even when a dog used to come near me, the smell used to put me off. Of course, a lot depends on the grooming of the dog and how clean he is kept. Again, nothing to do with the dog but the owner of the dog. Dog smell was a big deterrent.
3. Non-Exposure to a Pet
As I said earlier, I was never exposed to a pet before. Hence, I was not sure how I would adjust to a pet, frankly. Will I be able to take care of him adequately, or will he be another task for me. I was not exposed to the love of a pet and hence for me, a pet translated to another item on my Task List.
4. Fleas
I had heard so many stories from my father in law on how our earlier dogs had got infected with fleas, and that was a big fear in me. I have almost an OCD for cleanliness, and I can’t bear to have any insects in the house and definitely not on my dog. And getting rid of fleas is not an easy task. It’s troublesome for the dog as well as the owner.
5. Staying Alone
How do we manage the holidays? Where do we leave the dog even if we have to go out for a weekend? Dogs can’t survive on their own, unlike cats which are independent and can just be left with food and water for a couple of days. We either organise a dog sitter or find alternative accommodation. It’s expensive, and it can be stressful.
Then How & Why I Changed My Mind About Pets? Read on to find out.
The Change Of Heart
We moved from India to Singapore In Oct last year and I took a sabbatical to help my girls adjust to the new environment.
I could again hear soundbites of getting a pet and kept my calm. I was now more open to having a conversation because I felt that a few of my concerns were addressed.
The girls were more responsible now and willing to participate and commit their time to the pet. And since I was not working, I was more relaxed and could do my bit. But I did not know that this will be the starting point of another round of debates.
The Big Decision
So, once we crossed the hurdle of deciding to get a dog, the next point of debate was which breed? My girls were hellbent on getting a Golden Retriever. My thought was to get a smaller dog so that we all get used to the idea of having a dog and taking care of him. Again, our breakfast table conversations revolved around the breed and size for many weeks.
Here I must give credit to my husband who convinced my girls for a small dog though I know he preferred a bigger one himself. I guess for him it was something is better than nothing.
So every day my husband and I will send my daughters cute pics of small dogs, and finally, we decided that we will go to the pet centre and see all the dogs including a golden retriever puppy and whichever dog calls out to us, we will get him home.
Ufff!! 2nd step done.
And then the whole world stopped, and everything was shutdown. And needless to say, our visit also got postponed indefinitely.
This definitely disappointed the girls, but they kept their excitement going by thinking of what they will name their pet.
And yet again everyone had their point of view. And it was interesting to note that how something or rather someone who is not yet a part of the family can arouse so many emotions.
So, when did we finally get our pet Home?
Once the circuit breaker/ lockdown was eased, we made an appointment with the pet centres and started doing our rounds. We actually only went to two centres and found our little puppy in the second one.
CoCo’s Homecoming
By now you would know that our pet toy poodle is called CoCo. And when people say that a dog calls out to you, it is so true. When we went to the centre, there were multiple puppies, but this one just melted our heart, and we decided to get him home.
Honestly, while we were making the decision, I was very nervous as I did not know how I will react to the little one. There was excitement yet apprehension for me as I am not a pet-person. This was a big change and something that I had never experienced before. But this tiny fluff ball (as my daughter calls him) was so adorable that I could not say no.
So, we finally got CoCo home on 27th June 2020– all of 3 months. And our lives have not been the same since then. There was a new baby in the house, and everything revolved around him.
Since my girls were doing online schooling and my husband was working from home, Coco’s transition to his new home was pretty smooth. Or rather I was able to adapt to the new baby of the house quite quickly. My husband and the girls took over the entire responsibility of feeding him, cleaning his poo and I just played with him.
There was something about him, that attracted me towards him – maybe his innocence, his jumping around like a kangaroo on all 4 legs or simple his cute selfless cuddles.
We all know and have read about pets and human relationships. I actually experienced a change in the vibes around the house since CoCo came in. And here is how.
The CoCo Vibes
1. More Laughter Less Tension
This was the most evident change. With Coco and his antics becoming the prime attraction, there is always something happening in the house. Either he is up to something, or someone is up to something with him. Believe me; there is never a dull moment with a poodle in the house. I think we have started spending more time together as a family because of CoCo with him making sure he is sitting in the centre amongst us.
2. Increased Tolerance Levels
I think with a pet in the house, your patience and tolerance levels increase, especially as a mother.
I certainly cannot shout at my daughters now as they will innocently point at him and say that I don’t shout at him. Well, jokes apart, it’s like me getting re-trained on handling kids again. I think we moms tend to forget this trait as our kids grow and start getting into a verbal argument with our teens which obviously leads nowhere.
In case of pets, you can scold them, and they do understand your mood but there is no guarantee they will not go back and repeat the same thing. Especially puppies.
Therefore, one has to be patient and give them time to register the required behaviour. And I have seen changes in CoCo over these 6 months.
3. More Responsive & Responsible Kids/Teens
My Teens have evolved with CoCo, and they are certainly more responsive and responsible. They were always compassionate towards animals but having a pet in the house is actually making them practice what they have been talking about.
Needless to say, they have also been spoiling him with their pampering. I have another kid now who enjoys strawberries and blueberries thanks to my elder daughter.
There are some amazing choices for spoiling your Pets in Cratejoy. Have a look.
Most of my house rules for pets have gone out of the window thanks to my husband and daughters, but honestly, it’s difficult not to indulge. But a mom is a mom right… and CoCo is also learning that.
4. Pets Emanate Love
When we were in the process of finalizing a pet, we felt it was necessary to gauge the comfort level of our helper too. So, one day I asked her. She mentioned that though she was not too fond of dogs, she would prefer smaller dogs. Today she is another one in the house who has had a change of heart.
You will see her happily playing with him as she finishes off her daily morning chores and he will also make sure he comes in her way.
5. Pets Relieve Stress
This year has been a stressful year for all of us—some more some less. Getting a pet during these trying times was the best decision we made.
Apart from the above 4 reasons, CoCo is a great stress reliever between back-to-back online calls and meetings. Read about this and more on my blog on 7 Brilliant Ways To Relieve Stress That You Need To Know Now.
He is always around to give you a warm hug or a lick irrespective of how your day is going. So many times, he is attending conference calls with my husband, and I am sure he has got a few Management fundas already.
We stay together as a family with my husband’s parents who are both 85 plus and CoCo’s presence has helped them to divert their attention from their old age problems.
For us, as parents, the best sight of the day is when my daughters come back from their school and ring the bell at 16.20 hrs. He knows it’s them, and he starts jumping with joy. The moment he sees them, he wants to jump up to them and lick them all over. Truly unconditional love.
So adorable isn’t it.
CoCo is 9 months now and it seems that he has been with us forever. He is becoming more and more lovable and an inseparable part of our family now.
Some people ask me that don’t you regret not having a pet before. Well, my answer is that we should get a pet only once we are convinced that we will be able to give him time, attention and unconditional love. It’s a commitment of a lifetime with benefits for both involved. And as regards to my other concerns, I am sure we will find a way out.
So, have you taken the plunge yet?
If you already have a pet, then I am sure will relate to my blog. And if not, this will surely make you reconsider.
If yes, please share this blog with your family and friends.
A big Thank You to my sister Dr.Minni Chadha for this beautiful sketch of CoCo.
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