I have joined the dog cult. Just like the rest of you, I got sucked in. I’ve been swindled, duped, hoodwinked even. Next thing you know I’ll be zipping him up in his little doggie stroller and introducing him as my son to passersby.
I’d blame my actual son for my indoctrination, but the reality is I’ve been secretly longing to be a dog person my whole life. Well, a specific type of dog person, that is. I don’t know why. I don’t know how, but I’ve had a thing for corgis ever since I was a little kid.
When we moved our son far away a little over a year ago we promised him that getting a dog was part of the deal. He’d been asking for one for a couple of years, but I was sick and the medical bills were relentless and we didn’t have a yard. There was always a reason to say no.
Now I’m well. We have a yard. The debt is slowly decreasing and all the nos have slowly drifted away. We looked around at various shelters and rescue organizations, but couldn’t find the right fit. With my bum leg, size matters. A big dog could easily send me tumbling with a strong tug of the leash or forceful nudge at just the right angle. The husband and son drew the line at a tiny dog, so I made a suggestion.
What about a corgi?
Everyone agreed that a corgi was just big enough to be manly yet small enough not to knock me over and break my hip. After extensive research we found a breeder we liked and the wait began. Our little Ace was born a few months later, husband and son visited him at the four week mark, and after he was old enough we picked him up and he officially became part of the family.

He’s just weird enough to fit right in.
Now, I love this dog. I look at him and I want to weep. He is the purest form of love. His belly is freckled and fat. His paws are so overgrown he slaps them around like seal flippers as he walks. His stumpy legs never fail to make me laugh. He’s sweet and precocious. When he barks he only scares himself. I love him.
There’s just one small problem, I must confess. See, I’m really a cat person.
It’s not that I don’t like dogs. Dogs are man’s best friend, after all. They’re loyal. They’ll drag your ass out of a fire, bite a burglar in the hind quarters for you. Dogs go on adventures with you. They lay their perfect dog heads in your lap when you’re having a bad day. They are, for all intents and purposes, the perfect pet. But, personally, I’d rather have a cat.
Cats are aloof, fairly self sufficient, and the best part is, they’re usually free. Just like our cat, Jojo. She was part of small litter, a pack of adorable floofs free to a good home. We thought she’d make a great pal for our then very young daughter. Eventually our daughter grew up, went to college, and then Jojo became my problem.
To be honest, I was fine with that because, even though she hisses at small children and is in all other ways an asshole, I kinda like that cat. She’s easy. She knows where to take a dump without any instruction. She doesn’t eat my shoes. Other than needing to tell me to feed her twice a day, usually by walking on my boobs until I get annoyed enough to get off my ass, she basically can’t be bothered with me. It’s great.
Dogs, though, dogs are another matter. Especially puppies. It’s like having another child. Last night I was up at 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. I’m writing this, bleary eyed and exhausted, desperately in need of sleep and more caffeine. I haven’t felt this way in a dozen years and I’m still reeling from it.
When Jojo came home I was like, so here’s where you pee and poop and there’s your bowl of food. Uh, see you tomorrow, I guess? And Jojo was like, cool. Later, loser. The ease of it all was downright glorious.
But with a dog, with a dog, holy hell. The struggle is real. There’s whining and crying at 4 a.m. Putting down the food and taking away the food. Not to mention the walks afterward to “take care of business” that you then have to pick up in a neatly wrapped plastic package from hell. Don’t eat this. Stay away from that! Constantly underfoot and nipping at your toes. Hey, Ma, what ya doing?
And also, that face. That bond. That heart on his chunky little butt.
I guess I can’t help but love him. I’m still a cat person, though. They’re easier and neater and don’t like to lick your toes. They hate your guts and I’m always going to be okay with that. But I think maybe, just maybe, I’ve got some room in this black heart of mine to be a little bit of a dog person too. But just a little bit and please, please don’t tell Jojo.
*Featured image courtesy of Pixabay
Hahaha, welcome to the world of dogs! You’re lucky Ace is so sweet, my dog doesn’t even bother to come to me when I call him and just stares for me for a second and then goes on his way. ❤ Best of luck!
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Well, Ace was the sweetest boy until he starting using his puppy teeth to bite my fingers, but we still love him.
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Hahaha, it’s so nice to see a cat person like you be able to accept dogs in your life and love them despite you preferring another pet. ❤
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HaHa..Yes to all of that…Spot on…Dogs are like having another child but the love you get..Cat’s are just Cat’s and what you said 🙂 xx Enjoy( ish )
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It really is a completely different experience and I can’t tell who is more excited by it, my son or my husband.
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Kids and men always seem to be more excited about puppies and dogs 🙂
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Once you get out of puppy phase, it’s easier. The love of a canine just can’t be beat!
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All these dog people can’t be wrong, I guess.
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He is absolutely gorgeous.I love cats and grew up in a house of cats but had dogs for nearly 18 years now and they fill your life ,also they shape it and dictate it’s rythm sometimes but it defenetely worth it.Both animals gives lots but dogs are a life style.😉enjoy your puppy 😀🐶
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I’m just looking forward to the day when his ears stand up and I can put a bow tie on him.
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As a cat person who enjoys a pet who is indifferent to me, I’ve heard that dogs are like having a perpetual 3 year old living with you. That being said, Ace is cute and will make for the most photographic, love-filled blog posts ever. I look forward to them all.
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He’s rather beautiful, I must say. That’s what’s keeping me together because right now it’s like having a newborn. I’m up three times a night with him. I just look forward to the days when he can keep it in for 8 hours.
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I understand all of what you say, ha! I’m so much a cat person. But my heart is turning slowly towards dogs, and my feelings are turning from “absolutely not at all” to “definitely one day”. It’s daschunds for me. I melt. I think I would melt for Ace though too. He seems amazing. I don’t think I could manage a puppy though, bloody well done for taking on that tough (but GORGEOUS) job 💜
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I just told my husband that I was glad we did this when I’m this age because I don’t sleep well anyhow. I might as well be doing something in the middle of the night.
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He is gorgeous though!! I’m like ypu. A cat person but I could moonlight as a dog person Too!
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Yes! That’s what it feels like, a part time job! Hahaha!
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I too am a Cat Person. Oh yes, I grew up with all kinds of animals: turtles, rabbits, fish, parakeets, even an iguana. (I had three brothers.) Oh, and cats and dogs too. The cats were always the least trouble, so when I grew up and had my own pets, it was always a cat. You are the second Cat Person Pal I know to knuckle under and get a dog. I will be watching carefully (and getting my dog bed ready)!
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When he’s sleeping and he rolls over and shows me that freckled belly of his I just melt. I have no power over this dog.
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It takes time, but dogs can be trained really well and learn a ton of language. Body language too. My dog does tricks by hand motions. She communicates by looking at something and looking back at me. It’s pretty amazing!
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Corgis are herding dogs and I can already see this tendency in him when the kids are running around with him in the backyard. He seems really smart so I’m thinking with some solid training he’ll be an excellent pup.
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He’s super cute but I’m more of a cat person for all of the reasons you outlined. I think once you’re passed the puppy stage you’ll be in a routine and it’ll be easier!
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If I ever get another dog I do believe it will be a more well established one. Hahaha!
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