I Was Very Lucky
I know I haven’t talked much about where I got Valkyrie, and that’s for a good reason.
She was from a back-yard breed. I’m 99% sure of this. We went to go see her, and the guys house was in one of the ghettos near Detroit. Dead serious. The litter was in the guys basement, the puppies parents nowhere to be seen. Apparently they were at his brothers house (I have no idea why). Of course, he offered to let us see them, but my parents declined (I was all for it). Anyways, I had no way of knowing the temperament of them, health issues, etc. that one would usually get from a breeder. And I knew this. But I was just thrilled to be getting a dog after years of asking. I didn’t realize I wasn’t ready for a dog until a few months later when I broke down in tears because I was so worried about my future, and hers.
I was fifteen when I got Valkyrie. She was my sixteenth birthday present. At that point, I thought I knew what I wanted to do with my life, and in that plan I had time for a dog. At least I thought I did. It later dawned on me that I couldn’t keep this high-drive dog alone at home when I went to class or work. And my plans have changed drastically since then, and I’m realizing more and more that I should have waited. I wasn’t ready for a dog. Not in the sense of taking care of her now, but in the long run, I still have so much to do. I want to go into the army, and that means 4+ years of active duty, being away. Even now I’m still worried for her. Because I know I can care for her now, but what about later.
But I got lucky that I have such a great family. I have a busy life, but Valkyrie is able to get the (majority of) the entertainment and exercise she needs from playing with our other doberman, or just romping around playing in our 8 acres.. My dad used to play with her all day because he worked from home, and since his passing, it’s been obvious I need to make up for his absence and ensure she gets all the metal stimulation she requires.
I guess this all just comes to; I got lucky because, even though I wasn’t ready to have a dog, and probably still aren’t, my parents knew that going in and planned for it. They were ready for a new dog. But so many people don’t take that into account when they get a puppy. They aren’t prepared to deal with this new obstacle for 10+ years. And so often dogs are abandoned when they become an inconvenience. So take it from someone who made the mistake: make sure you’re ready. Wait until your future is relatively stable to get a dog. Because if you don’t you won’t just be hurting yourself, but the dog as well, and in the end you’ll regret what should should have been something amazing.
