@bethvogt
I’ve been thinking about getting a puppy.
This may come as a surprise to some of you have seen photos of our dog, Jo, in my Instagram feed or my Facebook page. This may also come as a bit of a surprise to Jo.
Jo belongs to Christa, my youngest daughter, who’s heading off to college in seven weeks. Seven weeks.
Yeah. Not thinking about that right now.
Back to Jo. Jo is named for Josephine March of Little Women fame. Jo was a rescue puppy, found in an alley in a box during a rainstorm, along with her three sisters and brother. The puppies were named: Meg, Jo, Amy, Beth and – wait for it – Chubbs. For those of you who’ve never read Little Women, there is no Chubbs in that novel.
Christa is Jo’s person, but when my daughter’s not around, Jo hangs out with me while I write. Or snuggles up with me when I nap. Or goes along on walks with me and Christa’s dad.
So why … why … why, when we have Jo, am I thinking about getting a puppy?
Some people respond to stress by eating chocolate. Or going shopping. Or exercising more. Or getting a massage.
I’ve done all of these things in response to increased life-pressures.
But when my worries bust the ol’ stress-o-meter, I want a puppy. The thought of cuddling a bundle of fur in my arms just seems like the perfect anxiety antidote.
I’ve gone online and looked at rescue sites. This week I even texted my vet and asked him if he knew of anyone who had puppies available for adoption. I’ve discussed whether I want a rescue versus a particular breed.
But so far, I haven’t gotten a puppy.
Why not?
Because I’m trying not to let stress make decisions for me.
It’s not about getting a puppy or not getting a puppy. It’s about who’s in charge of my life right now: me or the stress?
Stress has a funny way of wanting to drive our decisions. Of yelling loudly, “Do this. And this. And this. And do it right now!”
But the consequences of making stress-induced choices is rarely pleasant like a cuddly puppy. Or fun. Or humorous.
We do things like deciding to get a super-short haircut after a bad breakup. (Not that I would have any experience with something like that. And besides, I was 19 at the time.) Or overspending the budget. Or overeating. Or saying words that can’t be unsaid.
The truth is, puppies are adorable – and they also have to be housebroken and trained to sit and to stay and to not to chew our favorite shoes. And all of that is its own kind of pressure.
And so, while in the moment, a puppy sounds so right … right now it’s the stress talking.
And I’m going to plug my ears and ignore every time the stress whispers, “Get a puppy. You’ll feel better.” I’m choosing to concentrate on managing my stress – and one of the best things to do is to not say yes to another thing – especially something that needs me to get up with it in the middle of the night.
Realizing the Consequences of Stress Induced Choices http://bit.ly/2RQ1b5C #stress #perspective Click To Tweet 'You can't always control what goes on outside, but you can always control what goes on inside.' Quote by Wayne Dyer http://bit.ly/2RQ1b5C #stress #choices Click To Tweet
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Comments 15
A treasured shoe is just a shoe,
and a book is simply paper,
but when you are sad and blue
a puppy is a saviour.
This is something I know well,
for my life (which cancer miscued)
has been saved by little Belle,
a fuzzball that we rescued.
I never know what she’ll destroy,
but she follows me about;
what comes to mouth becomes her toy,
but I forbear to shout.
Her favourite thing’s a tugging rope,
and, with that, she gives me hope.
Author
Andrew, my friend, I thought of you quite a bit as I wrote this blog post and had no doubt what your vote would be when it came to my getting a puppy. (And no doubt you’ve vote for a rescue vs. a certain breed.) 🙂 Praying for you my friend — and thank you for the poem.
Wise post, Beth. It’s amazing how many important decisions are made in an emotional response to something. Never a good idea: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25
Author
Julie: Emotions rarely lead to wise decisions. I’ve learned that over and over again. Sometimes I just need to take my emotions for a good long walk … with Jo, the puppy I already have. 😉
I am a stress eater. And it shows. 🙁 I just told a friend yesterday I have got to STOP letting stress rule my eating choices. It’s so hard. I want that second piece of Key Lime Pie…now. 🙂
Author
I understand, Anne. I can stress eat too — usually jelly beans. And Coke used to be my beverage of choice.One way I cope is to not have it in the house. If it’s not here, I can’t drink or eat it.
You’re a wise woman. 🙂
Author
🙂 Thank you, Rachel. Who knows … maybe one day. But it has to be the right day.
Yep, you know my heart.
And I offer this – get a puppy, and if things don’t work out, I’ll take her.
Add years to my life she will.
Author
And why am I not surprised by this offer, Andrew? Tempting, it is.
Try me! It’s a win-win!
Beth, I’m with you puppies or older dogs they are stress reducers. When our Annie died I grieved because she was my side kick and protector. She shed, chewed up expensive things if left alone during storms or became an 80 lb. lap dog when not alone. Hubby said no more dogs. I don’t miss the responsibility but I miss the companionship and comfort. It frees us to travel. But I’m open to one last smaller dog at some point before heaven bound. Granddaughter wants us to get one so she can enjoy. ? #lovedogs
Author
Daphne: Dogs are wonderful companions. So, so true. (And for you cat lovers out there, my family loves cats, too. But I’m allergic to them.)
And this is how we got Harley. After I lost Hope (my other poodle, not the emotion), I promised myself (and hubby) I wouldn’t get another dog. But one very stressful day I felt compelled to bring home another wiggle ball of fur.
I caved.
“Outside of a dog, a book is a [wo]man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” Groucho Marx
Author
Angie: But I know you’ve never regretted getting Harley. He’s your buddy. 🙂