The reality of having a dog! – Mummascribbles

We have had Buster in our lives for almost three months now – and it already feels like he has always been here. I knew having a dog was never going to be easy – especially as a puppy. And the reality is, owning a dog comes with a bunch of things that I probably didn’t consider. Don’t get me wrong, we love him to bits and are so happy to have him in our family – but, I thought I would share a bit of the realisation and point out that getting a dog should very much be a well thought out thing! Of course there are some truly wonderful things that they bring, so I shall include those too!

It is impossible to keep the house clean

O.M.G. They are so messy. I mean they fluff EVERYWHERE and they bring in mud and dirty water. My floors constantly need hoovering and cleaning – especially when he has just returned from his walk or the garden! It of course doesn’t help that we got him at the start of winter – the muddiest season. Especially with the ridiculous amount of rain we have had. However, with the amount he moults now, I dread to think what is cometh my way in the Summer when he requires less hair on his body! I saw a post on a group I am in on Facebook just recently and the poster was saying that they wanted a dog but they didn’t want the house to get messy. The responses were quite simple. If you want a clean house, don’t get a dog!

They do the stinkiest farts

He stinks. I mean, GAH. I am surrounded by farting boys. But nothing quite tops the fart smell of a dog. Sometimes it’s like his innards are dying a death. And it’s not just once. Quite often it is fart after fart after fart polluting our front room while we are chilling out in the evening! Even the boys turn their noses in disgust when he lets one off. Now that is saying something from the serial farters!

They dig…a lot!

OK, this may not be the case for all dogs, but by gawd our one loves a dig. We have mahoosive great holes in our garden. Something that the other half is NOT impressed with at all. We have sort of managed to direct him to an area of the garden that we don’t mind him digging (where he has basically dug himself a trench), but he gets carried away and excited and then reverts to other more precious areas of the garden. Again, it doesn’t help that it is constantly wet out there at the moment, making it really easy to dig a hole very quickly. But the way he goes at it – well I always compare it to that scene in Jurassic Park 2, where the females are trying to dig their way out one side of the barn, while the Velociraptor is trying to dig in the other side. He is very much like the Velociraptor in that part! Instant destruction.

You have to think about them always

Of course he is on my mind a lot, but all plans now need to be made around the dog. Has he had a walk beforehand so when we leave him he is ready for a sleep and won’t go crazy without us? Will we be out for longer than a couple of hours and therefore require a dog sitter? What the heck are we going to do with him when we get married…because our whole friends and family will be there so can’t look after him!

Because it has been the Christmas season, we have been out and about a bit, and for two of those occasions (just days apart), we had family members come round to keep him company!

They are expensive

Like really expensive! We re-homed Buster, so we didn’t have the massive cost of buying him (although we did pay for his vet fees and travel over here), but there is so much to pay for when you get a dog. The insurance for starters. Between him and the cat we are paying about £50 a month! And then there is the food. That isn’t cheap. The many, many bones and treats that they eat to keep them occupied. The many toys they chew through and have to be replaced. The replacement of the things they break because they are puppies and do that kind of thing. Oh, and dog training classes too. They really are a big expense so definitely take that into consideration if you are thinking of getting one!

They get you out

I mean, I am out a lot walking. Pre-school runs, school runs. And extra now that Oscar is at pre-school 5 mornings a week. But it’s not exactly relaxing is it? In fact, it isn’t at all. So when I then get home from that chaos, pop on his harness, and take him for a lush walk over the Country park. Well, I really bloody love it. And on a weekend or in the holidays when it is time to take him for a walk – you will always see me offering to take him, and feeling a bit disappointed if it’s easier for the other half to do it (like when he gets ready before me and Buster is desperate for a walk).

I meet all sorts of people on those walks. I talk to most of them. I am seeing the regular dog walkers. And just spending time walking round the beautiful park on my own is proper lush. I often take my headphones and listen to a podcast. It really feels like proper me time, and of course, exercise as well. Buster needs a lot of exercise. He is one energetic dog. And that is just how I like him!

They are the best of friends

OK, he can be annoying at times. When he is grabbing at our limbs with his teeth because it is all he wants to do (not viciously of course and we do stop him), when he is farting like a trooper, and of course, destroying the garden. But he is the most loving thing. And I am his Alpha which means he loves me mostest!

He is truly fantastic with the kids. I don’t take it for granted and think he is perfect – I totally know he is a dog and I have to watch him with them. But, he just loves them – especially Oscar. He also loves curling up or stretching out on your lap on regular occasions! He is becoming such a great friend to all of us and I know that bond will continue to grow as he gets older (and stops trying to eat our wrists).

So there we go. Whilst Buster does bring a lot of joy, he brings a lot of trouble too! Of course, he is a work in progress as he is still very young and therefore he should improve with age. So I tell myself anyway!

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