This is going to sound ridiculous, very ridiculous, but could this bet be the key to getting a dog???
See, my little family has been wanting to adopt for like forever now! But, the timingΒ never seemed perfect. Kind of like that case when you think you need to wait for “perfect” before becoming a parent, same, but for fuzzy kids in our house.
Well, Covid-19 has presented some possibilities that otherwise may never happen, like ALL the time in the world to be home and to focus on the baby. We’re stuck at home, I mean when else could be a perfect time!? And at least by this point, I have gotten our landlord to approve it.
But the downside to that COVID and being at home clearly means laid-off and relying on unemployment and savings, or at least somewhat for me, the partner is back to work as of this month.
People get dogs and cats every day with much less! But, Sean, my partner knows. Pets are not “pets” they are children to me…and I will be the spare no expense kind of parent. The worries of the what-if medical issues always in his mind.
So, like most days, here I am browsing all the shelter pets and all the PetFinder dogs. Toying with the idea of being honest and poking that button again.
I mull it around. Chat with a friend who flip-flops and agrees in both of our lines of thinking. I tell him he’s no help, hehe. And then give up.
Next day, back to shelter searches (thanks Facebook for putting these things in my feed). There’s this adorable litter of mutts at a close-by shelter. 3 months. Only a $100 adoption fee (including spay/neuter, microchip, and 1-year pet license). They also appear to be a perfect size and possibly trainable for a service animal (for our child or my needs, kiddo’s doctor has even been ready to sign off on this…not that I asked or anything. Hehe.). It’s a loud thought again!
Carefully, I broach the subject. Hypotheticals, like “Male vs Female”??? I show him the pups in question. And the same conversation takes place, EXCEPT, it’s not over, there’s a joke thrown in on his part-
“…See what the internet thinks, $2000 GoFundMe or whatnot and we can get a dog.”
Wait, what!? What just happened? I know we were talking income and seriousness and then he’s like joking about a finance cushion, …but this is out of character! How did we end up here? Should I take it seriously??? Not even sure where that number came from, but hey, I roll with it.
We laugh. Brush off the joke. Rethink it. Now, I’m glaring. Looking at him and this as a bet. A solid bet.
I poke further, I’m making my intentions known. He’s regretting the slip of the tongue, not so much for the dog adoption factor, but the “I’m going to look like a jerk!” I treasure, “No you won’t, it’s funny! And I might actually get my dog!” I decide I’m committing to this!
Fail or not. The bet is on!
MUWHAHAHA!!! I get the serious evil villain laugh and face going! He quickly jumps in, and lays ground rules, knowing it’s too late now. And, pretty much the only rule is, “It Must Be A Rescue Dog.”Β OMG! Of course! I mean couldΒ there be a more perfect rule!? I honestly couldn’t live with myself if I “bought.” Too many pups without homes always in my head!…and social media feeds (looking at you, The Rescued Dog π ).
So here I am, days later, sharing the story as this conversation hasn’t disappeared and toying with will this work? Could this happen? Does this sound stupid, relying on others? (That’s more how he looks at it. I look at it as dollars are a vote towards Dog vs No Dog in the bet.) Is this crazy? Or is this just too awesome!?
I guess it becomes up to you?Β
I have yet, to set up an actual “GoFundMe” but, I guess I have Venmo & Paypal ready if I should. (See UPDATE Below) But to be honest, I am in that happy nervous stage and a little hesitant of linking my stuff, yet. Sealegs, just writing this. Putting this out there and leaving it up to my followers to decide our fate. This may just be a ridiculous daydream of a joke and nothing will come of it. Is this dog bet just too ridiculous? But I guess I must write, wait and see??
So here it is, up to you? And I guess, updates to come {fingers crossed}. What do you guys think? Should we do this!?
Melissa McClure
Heck yes!! I’m Team Get the DOG! <3
admin
Hehe…this must happen! I mean I just saw more pups, I say it’s a sign! π
Rachel
What an interesting idea! I say go for it! I’m super interested to find out what happens, so make sure to keep us posted.
admin
Thanks, Rachel! There will definitely be follow up posts throughout this. Feel free to follow on IG for the most up to date bits of the story too. π
Sheila Berg
Iβm sure you all will be great fur parents, but aside from the financial aspect, which is important, have you talked about who will walk the dog, clean up after the dog, feed and train him/her? If you do decide on adopting a dog, I have a friend at The Rescued Dog, who can keep an eye out for the βrightβ family member for you!
admin
We’re had a lot of those conversations and luckily have had the experience of seeing how we all do with different dogs at different sizes so we have a pretty good picture. Now if we can keep the kid motivated with their chores in the meantime.
Also, I wonder if we know the same person from Rescued Dog!? Small world.
Lance Berg
Awesome writer, got a chuckle out the pet blog.
admin
Thank you π That is definitely my number one goal with this kind of post. π
Gina Abernathy
Dogs are awesome! I have 4 fur babies! Go for it!
admin
Thank you! We got our first few donations so we’re doing this! π
Ming Qian
Aww, this blog post gives me the impression that you have thought things through. I believe you are indeed ready to adopt a dog. Go for it, all the best!
admin
We totally had! Thank you! I can’t wait to be able to share some furry updates!
Denise Gardiner
Great post! I agree with you on dogs being our family and children. I would do research on the breed you are thinking of getting, and understand just like kids, dogs get sick, need shots every year, food, treats, and toys. They can also be destructive and can create expensive damage. We have had Lexi for 8 years, from a puppy. She is a high-energy Malti-Pom, who we crate trained (which is advised by many trainers), had private training at our home, doggy daycare is a great way to keep them entertained while you work, and exercise and play are so important. Just understand the costs and time they need. To me, it was all worth it! The unconditional love and joy they bring make us better humans. I can’t wait to see what your decision is!
admin
We’ll we know it will most likely be a mutt of sorts, especially because part of the goal is to rescue but we have a pretty good idea of what breeds are on our level. Now it’s just the matter of accomplishing the bet goals and we can really look at what pup in the shelters need us as much as we need them.
Barbara Renner
Go for it! Dogs are wonderful companions. We rescued our Yellow Lab mix, Larry, from a Facebook post. When the topic came up between my husband and me about adopting another dog, he said “no puppy and no male” (we’ve always had females). Guess what Larry was – a puppy and a male dog. Larry has been the best dog ever, and has never chewed up anything he wasn’t supposed to. So, I hope you and your partner find a wonderful rescue dog.
admin
That’s fantastic! Love that your family found the right furry kid! And I think more than likely a male dog. Labs and retrievers are great! We’ve both had more positive experiences with them, but who knows. (Crossing Fingers)