If I Didn't Have a Dog...

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.

When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.

When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without tripping over a fuzzy body who beats me there.

I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space a furry body would need to get comfortable.

I would have money and no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with my veterinarian, as I put their yet unborn grand kids through college.

The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come,no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'.'Yummy yummy for the tummy'..

My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.

I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L, F-R-I-S-B-E-E, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, B-I-K-E, G-O, R-I-D-E

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having a dog ties them down too much.

I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading 'mud' season.

I would not have the joy in my life of knowing I am loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.

Whether I am laughing, crying or screaming in fits of rage, I am certain that I will always have a friend by my side. Regardless of how many times I have to say "No", there are no angry words, slamming doors or acts of revenge. When I walk in the door at the end of a day, I can guarantee, that someone will be cheering and jumping up and down as if the most famous rock star walked through the door! I couldn't imagine how it would be if I never had the joy of sharing my life with such a happy, kind creature whose entire purpose in life is to love me with all of their heart.

How EMPTY my life would be!!!