Four things they don't tell you about when you get a pet in your twenty-somethings:
1. Responsibility: Congratulations! You are now responsible for another life, and although that life may only be a dog or a cat, that is your dog or cat. You no longer can spontaneously plan a trip with your friends, mindlessly go to work or be out of your house in general. Now you have to worry about "who's going to feed my fur baby?" ,"I wonder if he'll be sad that I'm gone?" and "Am I a bad pet parent?" Day in and day out you will constantly be torn between staying at home with your pet friend or going to work to earn a living.
2. Expenses: Being a pet parent is expensive! Between groomings, feedings and toys, your new friend can really cause you to break the bank quickly. And if your pet is anything like mine, he will only go for the most expensive of foods. It doesn't just stop there though, you also have to plan for the emergency vet bills. Puppies and kittens are like small children, they just get into things. You always have to plan for variables.
3. Potty training: Who knew potty training would be this hard? Until your little pet friend gets the knack of things, expect lots of cleaning up after them. For some reason it is like they find a spot they like, and it's impossible to break them from there. Then the glorious day comes when your pet finally scratches at the door to go outside, or stares at you from across the room until you get the point, and you're ecstatic. You praise them and give them treats, and all is well in the potty training world! Until you get up in the middle of the night, only to find your foot in a wet spot on the carpet. (You couldn't have waited a few more hours?)
4. The companionship: This pet is going to be your best friend and your fondest companion. They will see you at your worst, your best and your ugly. They will comfort you on your bad nights, and make you crack up on the good ones. You will have copious amounts of pictures, and annoying videos of your pet doing something adorable... or embarrassing... or just plain weird. But through it all you will grow together, and you will never have to take on this strange adventure that is your twenties alone.
There was a lot I didn't know about getting a pet in my twenty-somethings, but this choice is one I'll never regret.
