I have two Shih Tzus at home: one puppy and one 14-year-old. Therefore my authority on this list is validated, and I am a self-proclaimed crazy dog lady. While some may consider this a bad thing, I would say my dogs are the biggest blessings in my life. Anyone who grew up with dogs can relate to the things that happen when you're a crazy dog person.
1. You talk about your dog like they're a family member (because they are...).
In my house, conversations usually go a little something like this: "Did Chloe get her pills?", "Did Lucy get dinner?", "Who's watching the dogs tomorrow?" We treat our dogs like they are small children, constantly worrying about their well-being and wanting the best for them. At school, our moms send us photos of our dog instead of photos of themselves. We've grown up with our dogs; they're our siblings. They even make it into the holiday photo each year!
2. You talk to your dog like a friend.
When I was about 6 years old, I have a vivid memory of sitting on my staircase, holding my dog as I cried into her ears, repeating over and over that "no one understands me." Fortunately, or unfortunately, this was not an uncommon occurrence. Your dog will listen without judging, let you cry without thinking you're emotionally unstable, and allow you to complain about the most trivial things that no one else really wants to hear about. If you don't talk to your dog about your problems, then you don't really love your dog.
3. Your camera roll consists almost entirely of dog pictures.
I ran out of storage space on my phone because I took too many photos/videos of my dogs. It's not my fault: every time they sit down they look so darn cute that I have to snap a photo! They look great sitting on the bed, lying on the floor, playing with their toys, running through the grass—are you getting my point? Plus, I have to have lots of pictures to look at for when I go to school and miss my girls. Pictures take the pain away.
4. You start complimenting your dogs in really ridiculous ways.
You call them things like special diva princess girl or pretty boo boo snorty baby. Sometimes you even go as far as love muffin tiny bop. You tell them that they have angelic paws. When they scratch their back on the rug you casually mention that they roll around like an angel queen. You let them know they're royalty every day and spend an embarrassing amount of time chasing them around the house telling them to love you and asking them to please spoon you for a minute. I never said it wasn't weird. I just said it's what happens.
5. You spend more money on dog clothes than you do on clothes for yourself.
When my dog was a pup, I dressed her in bright-blue sunglasses and a pink shirt that was bedazzled to say Rockstar. Since then she has acquired several new winter sweaters, holiday dresses, and Halloween costumes. My personal favorite is the pumpkin costume, just saying. Needless to say, we quickly bought her a new Hawkeye sweater my freshman year of college.
6. You run out of conversation topics that don't revolve around your dogs.
When you meet a new person, you ask if they want to see a picture of the new puppy you got. When you see an old pal, you ask if they'd like to see the adorable spot your dog decided to nap in the other day. Your snapchats are all of your dogs. Your Instagram posts are of your dogs. In all honesty, you're really not interested in talking about anything other than your dogs. What fun is that?
If you're a crazy dog person, this list will describe the way you feel about your dog, no matter what kind it is. I am proud to call myself a Crazy Dog Lady, and I can't wait to secretly sneak my dogs into my apartment at school this year so I can finally introduce everyone to the beautiful pups I always talk about.
