Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Animal moratorium

So today, I was issued a cease and desist notice. My boyfriend, Doc, gave me strict orders to follow and I can't break them; you're not supposed to go against doctor's orders, after all. From here on out, I'm forbidden from bringing home any pets. At least until further notice.

No more cute and cuddly kittens. No more soulful-looking dogs. Not even so much as a goldfish. What's a one-woman-animal-rescue-organization to do?

I suppose this is my fault, to a degree. I do have a bleeding heart when it comes to animals, and if I could, I'd have a whole menagerie of pets right there in my 15x15-foot living room. Dogs, cats, rabbits... you name it and I'd probably have a litter if I could.

I do want another dog someday, but given my current living situation, I am well aware I can't actually have one. Yet. That doesn't stop the incessant daydreaming though; doesn't prevent me from scouring pet magazines to find the perfect mug. I can't help it, my mother brought me up as an animal lover. The fact that I can't afford to feed myself but would be responsible for feeding a dog that could eat its weight in Kibble at each feeding doesn't hinder my desires.

Tonight, during my usual 10-minute phone call to Doc (during which I all but forced him to take a study break to chat about nothing of substance), the conversation invariably turned to dogs... He acquiesced when I said I wanted a dog: a big one (albeit one that starts out as a big bundle of furry puppy). He even said he'd mull over one of the half-dozen potential names I threw out for consideration. I think he drew the line when I told him I'd just have to get one dog for each of the fabulous names I'd chosen. Because why pick just one when when there could be multiple?

There, in a matter of minutes, I managed to adopt six monstrous dogs...in theory, and even Doc, Mr.-I-Like-My-Girlfriend's-Dog-More-Than-My-Girlfriend, had had enough of the animal talk. 

That's when he issued the death blow: no more pets.

"I'm determined to keep this under control," he said.

Thankfully, he can't prevent me from keeping the pets I already own. Sylvester, my nearly-20-pound Maine Coon and Oreo, my 10-pound shelter kitty, both of whom he is allergic to, are safe. Whew. I already told him I wouldn't hesitate to break off a relationship with someone who didn't accept my cats, and despite his allergies he hasn't forced them from my life. At least not yet.

But until such time as I become a best selling book author, find a new (i.e. higher-paying job), or buy/rent a large house that I can actually afford, I can't so much as consider expanding my furry family.

Maybe I'll take up pet photography as a hobby and surround myself with other peoples' pets. Just as long as I don't accidentally bring one home.

1 comment:

  1. You can borrow Buddy any time you need a "dog fix." xoxox

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