Pets are fun. But they are a handful.
As a kid, pets and caring for them were not considered responsibilities. Having them around was fun and a break from boring schoolwork. Growing up, feeding and washing away their droppings from the lawn were the only requirements for me with these pets. They felt more like a game than a chore.
As an adult, the schedule of bathing, vacuuming the house, sweeping the floor of their fur, the daily walking schedules for potty breaks, and the tiniest details of what you feed them are researched and planned to a T.
Vet visits and daily mental and physical exercises are a must, too! Pets were never meant to sit in cages, fed, and admired from afar. Caring for them is not easy.
I rushed into another job after my corporate job because I did not want the fiscal responsibility of the dog I decided to take home to rest on someone else’s shoulders. My father was never a pet person, so the thought that he had this additional responsibility (since I was out of a job) should have never crossed his mind.
Who knew that after a year in my new job, I would have a kitten playing and even jumping on the keyboard as I type? An additional life relying on my paycheck.
So here are some thoughts on balancing a full-time job, side projects, personal commitments, and needy pets:
1. A Routine
Having pets has put routine and structure in my life that would be a spiraling mess without them.
Every day, I wake up and get out of bed because I have to feed the dog and kitten breakfast.
The kitten is ALWAYS hungry. I have no idea why, but it meows at the top of its lungs as if left to starve overnight. My dog, on the other hand, will throw up if it isn’t fed on time but has to be convinced that breakfast is worth it.
Such drama kings.
They give me a reason to get my butt out of bed. If not, I would work from bed every day and only get up when starving for lunch.
After an hour or so of working— hopefully, before the sun is high in the noon sky—it’s time to take the puppy for a walk. It’s a perfect reason to get my heart pumping or break a sweat instead of sitting all day.
Over the last year, I learned that walks are an excellent way to break free from the flooding demands of work and think over the confusing matters. Or a break from the desk overall which helps a lot.
After dinner, we take him out one last time to potty before bedtime. To my surprise, the kitten likes to join this nighttime rendezvous—running alongside our dog, trying to sniff what the dog sniffed. After that, the dog gets his dental treats with some mental stimulation (like searching for it or playing hide and seek). While the cat has a 20-minute minimum play time to tire him out for the night. On top of that, the night ends with litter box cleaning and cat toy keeping.
These baby boys make up for a hectic schedule already. I honestly don’t know how those with more than 2 animals do it. I salute you.
2. The Tricks
Training your pets helps you learn about their personalities and learn about yourself.
Our dog knows a handful of tricks when his favorite treat/food is the reward. As he grew older, food motivation disappeared, and toys no longer amused him. New tricks took longer to teach. Bad habits stuck to him more than any correcting can seem to do.
It is frustrating when correction was met with anger on his part, especially when we first started taking the kitten into our care. He hated it.
“Leave it” is still being taught around the cat. But around food, he is way easier to convince to step away. Which is crazy. Luckily, after two months with the kitten, the dog is starting to understand play in cat body language, and the presence around each other is no longer hostile.
Even so, the kitten is still a bundle of energy and needs dedicated time for play. Luckily, he learned how to fetch his toy. You can get work done in the little seconds he retrieves it to be tossed again.
We are not experts in training, but we are proud of what this little dog has in his arsenal. The cat has a long way to go.
Training and tricks have actually made living with my dog easier. He walks very well, does not steal food, does not run out of the gate on his own (unless provoked), and even brings his bowl to you for mealtime. Great help as you balance these tasks with other responsibilities.
The cat, on the other hand, is a whole different story. I know you can train cats, but they are obstinate creatures. Playing fetch is all he can do. As he has grown a little older, fetch is not as fun anymore. But, he has learned to step on your arm to be carried and that sleeping on the lap is preferred in the afternoons. He seemed to train us to his will than us training him.
3. The Quirks
Not all humans are the same, not all cats, and not all dogs are the same. And who they distinctly are will never cease to put a smile on your face.
How different their dispositions are from each other and how unique each pet is amazes me. Their little quirks and habits remind you that they are more than mere animals eating and breathing.
We had a dog that pretended he hated attention but craved it. A cat who only allowed you to pet him at his command or else you’d get swiped.
We had a cat whose meow was just the beginning and end of the sound. And we had a dog whose need for attention never wavered, following you everywhere just to get his belly rubbed.
Growing up, you never really notice how different they are until you have another one who acts totally different.
The tuxy is loud. Always looking for attention—louder when hungry. The internet says tuxies are the Huskies of the cat world, and I attest they could be. I had to learn to work while throwing around a toy so he would stop crying for attention or human company throughout the day.
Our dog pretends to be a strong boy but is scared of all the other dogs that come his way. Our other dogs acted like they owned our street and bullied other dogs. But this one must run back home before he can begin barking at other dogs. He is only “strong” behind our gate. Sadly, he has become reactive after being chased by other dogs growing up, but that is a story for another day.
These unique quirks, comical and adorable, relieve the stress that keeps my shoulders tight. They are a source of wholesome, heartfelt laughter and sometimes wide-eyed amazement.
For my sanity, watching the cat clumsily make its way to the food bowl or my dog suddenly bringing the cat bowl instead of his own are matters outside mundane work and reminders of the joy and fun in life. Things that will forever be in my memory.
4. The Memories
Adulting with pets is a life filled with so many memories.
As we grow older, we forget the fun we had from hours playing with our pets as kids. We are so caught up with work, responsibilities, and making money that we push aside the fun time spent with these creatures that only live for so long.
I missed so much in the training and the bond I could have built with my dog because I had to report to an office for the first 2 years of his life. I only played with him after I got home. Those years could have been used to reinforce good behavior and could have been used to tap on his natural instinct to follow you. Sometimes, he doesn’t bother anymore.
Since my parents were the only ones home during this time, he did not learn to listen to me genuinely, so the trust that could have been built was lost. I admit, I was out a lot.
After being chased by other dogs when I was walking him with my family, the little trust that remained flushed down the toilet. Something I am working on or at least trying to fix. He listens and trusts to follow as long as no strange dog is around. At least we do not have to start from zero.
This kitten is fortunate to have owners who work from home and can provide for his needs, including daily playtime in the morning and at night.
Giving these little creatures a great life sets the stage for those cherished memories with them. I hope they live a good life without any regret on my part (although some do exist now). I am making it up to my past pets through these two creatures I can help now.
Adulting is hard, and having pets is hard but it is also fun. We are never too old to run around like a fool with our dogs and watch insects in the garden with our cats.
Busyzi 