Over the years I have developed a bit of a reputation. I'm not sure when it really gained traction or when others started to realize it, but if I had to pinpoint a time when I realized it was bad, it would definitely have to do with the habit of crying every time I met a new dog.
Okay, maybe not necessarily every time I met a new dog. It was more every time I saw one. I'll never forget the look on my friend's faces during the 2016 Superbowl when I cried in reaction to a Heinz advertisement that showcased hundreds of Dachshunds running through a field dressed as hot dogs.
Since then it's all been a bit downhill, and I've started to realize crying at the visual of a dog isn't the only bad habit I've picked up. Surely, I can't be the only one?
1. You go out of your way to pet every dog you see because they deserve to be recognized.
2. Every dog is a puppy, and you will argue that to anyone that listens.
I don't care if your dog is technically celebrating their fifth human birthday or if they're full-grown — I will proceed to refer to it as a cute pupper or puppy.
3. Your friends constantly tag you in memes and videos on Facebook.
"Hey look at this video of a dog wearing-"
"Yeah, I've seen that one."
4. You start to notice your Instagram feed is more dogs than people — and you're okay with it.
Yes, I follow @chupsmam on Instagram, and you should too.5. You get notifications from local animal shelters every time they get a new dog even though you already have three rescues and the inability to take another.
Hey — it doesn't hurt to window shop.
6. You greet the dog of the house before the humans you're visiting.
7. No party is complete without a dog. Once you've found the dog of the party, you most likely spend the whole night following it around to make sure it gets the perfect amount of belly rubs.
8. You find even the most mundane actions adorable.
Head tilts and random hiccups and snores are a weakness.
9. You don't even realize that you've switched to the voice you only use with babies and cute furry animals.
10. You've questioned whether it's really necessary to own a dog of your own in order to visit the dog park.
11. You dress them up in costumes both to humiliate them and get trending on Facebook.
