Learning patience and tolerance (living with a dog)

Living with a dog is a lot different than living with a person. When you live with another human, your rent is generally cheaper. With a dog your rent is more, and you spend more money on repairs and other costs. Your roommate will never (usually) chew holes in your blinds. All dogs are different, but most dogs want to be with you all the time. They only have you, and they expect a lot from you. I am still learning how to deal with this feeling of being too responsible for something. Cleo is a very needy and high intensity dog, and honestly some times I could say I don't like her. The last few days, however, I have been dealing a lot better and learning a lot about myself. Here are some things that I've been doing.

1. Telling myself everything will be ok. I know this sounds simple but it is really important. Nothing is terrible and the world will not end no matter what happens with Cleo and myself.
2. Curbing my temper. I try not to direct harsh words or even LOOKS in Cleo's direction unless she really did something bad. I found that for a while I was just cursing at her because I could, and assumed it didn't affect her.
3. When she starts fussing at night, instead of waking out and yelling at her, I calmly talk to her and tell her it will be ok or ignore her. I can ignore much louder noises than just her.
4. Force myself to pay attention to her in a good way at least once an hour, this keeps her from being too clingy.
5. Let her wander the house. Sometimes I want her to be in my sight all the time because I don't trust her, but she has never gotten into anything on the other side of the apartment while I have been home and awake, so I should let her do her doggy thing.

Advice before getting a dog

Getting a dog is a lot like having a child in the way it will change your life, except YOU have control over when a dog comes in to your life. A lot of people get a dog before thinking about all of these things that will change/become part of your life (including myself).

1. You will never be able to leave spur of the moment ANYWHERE. No more vacations because you want to, every vacation will have to be planned months in advance so you can afford a kennel or find a dogsitter.
2. You will be only away from your dog for the length of time they can control their bladder.
3. Everything you own will be covered in dog hair, no matter how hard you try to keep things clean.
4. Everything you treasure may and will become a chew toy. Don't get attached to objects.
5. You will never be alone. Forget private bathroom time, sleep time, or tv time.
6. There will be someone watching you have sex, no matter how disturbing you think that is. Its what dogs do
7. You will get jumped on, have to pick up dog poop, and wipe up unsightly messes on your brand new carpet.
8. You are a parent, and everything is your fault.
9. You will have to stand in snowstorms, rain storms and hail storms while your dog doesn't do their business.
10. You will have to watch them grow old and die, it is highly unlikely that a dog lives past 18. This also means that the next 18 years of your life will be spend with a furry tumor.

Also here are some things you should do before getting a dog.

1. Spend the whole night out without worrying what is happening back home (you will never be able to do this again)
2. Drive somewhere, park your car for 8 hours and leave the windows up
3. RESEARCH and be honest. Don't get a higher energy dog because you think it will motivate you to walk more. It won't, and you will be miserable.
4. Don't get a rescue dog unless you are willing to have a dog with baggage.
5. Don't get a puppy mill dog, unless you want it to die early and cost you a lot of money.
6. Think if you would be willing to live with yourself if you had to give away the dog, the dog died under your watch or you had to surrender your dog for any reason. At some point in your dog's life you will consider it, I promise you. Before I had a dog I couldn't fathom how people could just give their dogs away. Now I know that no matter how much you love dogs, if it isn't the right fit it never will be.

Good morning yoga with Cleo

I have started stretching every morning, since it is a good way to wake up. Cleo has decided that she also likes this morning routine and joins in by licking me in the face, stretching as well and trying to get me to play with her ball. Sped up for your enjoyment, the music in the background sounds kind of like video game music.

Happy new years!