What is this Obsession with Dogs?

I don’t hate dogs but I am not a huge dog fan. There I said it.

I am not a dog owner, although I have been in the past. We always had dogs at home when I was growing up and later in life, I inherited two Golden Retrievers when I married my first husband. I don’t go all doe-eyed when I see a dog, however adorable. If I meet a dog, it generally butts me in a very embarrassing place or leaves strands of disgusting saliva on my nice clean clothes.

Owning a dog would definitely stress me out

I have reached a stage in my life where I view dogs as a nuisance. I may stop and pet one if I meet somebody who stops to talk when I wander around the village, but I don’t yearn to have one of my own. To be honest, I don’t know or understand what all the fuss is about. I see them as another thing to add to the list of things to do and at my time of life, I don’t need any more bother or hassle. I want peace and quiet, time to relax and chill out without having to worry about a pet.

I can imagine some of you shouting at the screen: but a dog will de-stress you, they are wonderful, loving, cute and I couldn’t live without mine. That’s fine, I get all of that but nope, I don’t need a ball of fluff, however cute, to de-stress me. In fact, owning a dog would undoubtedly stress me out with the need for constant daily walking — and don’t even get me started on scooping the poop, another very good reason not to have a canine companion.

I don’t need tying down by a pet at my time of life

I am as free as a bird and if my significant other and I want to go away for a long weekend on the spur of the moment, we can. No dog-sitters to arrange (or pay for), no doggy day care, no vets bills, no pet food to buy, no pet insurance to consider, no pet paraphernalia to buy and clutter our home with. And don’t get me started with dogs on beds — yuk! Smelly, hairy things should be on the floor not on clean, fresh bedding where I spend eight hours, give or take, every night catching up on my beauty sleep.

Where will it all end?

I have seen Doggy Diners, Doggy Spa’s, Mobile Doggy Grooming Services, Doggy Day Wear — you name it, there is something for dogs with bells on. Not to mention Doggy Cams for anxious pet owners wanting to keep an eye on their canine friend while they’re out. Where will it all end? No longer are pet owners content to have one dog, but I often see people with two, three or more dogs on a lead and they are not dog walkers, because they often proudly tell me all about their four-legged friends. Not that I am in the least bit interested but of course, I don’t show how bored I am. Yawn, yawn.

There is nothing worse than a yappy dog

And, why is it that while I am tapping away on my keyboard working from home, I am the only person who can seemingly hear yappy dogs? I live in a quiet row of detached houses on the edge of a peaceful village, but there is a constant, tortuous yap-yap-yap that comes from the house on my left and two doors down on my right, it’s the same noise, but only in stereo.

Yes, my neighbors have two yappy dogs, as if one wasn’t enough…I know they are retired and spend a lot of time at home. So why then does the yapping of their adorable pets not drive them utterly insane as it does me? Do they drown out the noise with the radio or television? Have they got so used to it that they don’t hear it anymore? Or do they not mind it — the constant yap, yap, yap, like a dripping tap? I am intrigued because it drives me nuts. Especially at 07:30 on a weekend morning when I am luxuriating in my dog-free bed.

You are probably wondering why I just don’t go round, tap at the door and ask my neighbors to keep their dogs quiet, right? Wrong. Another neighbor did just that and had the door slammed in her face and was told in no uncertain terms to ‘mind her own business’. Ah, a defensive dog owner. I will keep a wide berth, close my windows and play some loud music.

I don’t hate dogs, honestly — I just don’t want one of my own

Seriously, although I am not a dog lover, I am not a dog hater and the fact that these four-legged friends are barking for such long periods bothers me. Why are they barking/yapping? Do they need to go out and pee, or, you know…are they lonely? Which brings me to the question of why do people have dogs if they leave them alone all day or don’t give them any attention? Do dogs get sore throats through barking too much, I wonder?

If somebody wants a dog and is prepared to put in the time and effort to care for it, give it a loving home and nurture it — all well and good.

Companionship is important and I recognize that dogs make great pets

I am sure there are millions of dog owners who couldn’t imagine their lives without their canine companions and yes, during the pandemic when yet another phrase was coined — pandemic pets — I completely understand that dogs (and other pets) brought great comfort to those who were shielding or self-isolating.

However, if owners can’t put in the time and effort to love and care for one and treat them as they deserve to be treated, why have one? It’s not fair to the animal and it’s not fair on the neighbors.

I am just being honest. Please don’t hate me if you are a doe-eyed dog lover…

* * *

This article was first published on Medium, where you can find more of my work.

Connect with me here at Rosy's Ramblings.