Why Did You Get a Puppy?

When you get a new puppy, you can't wait to show him or her off. You just want to introduce him or her to all of your family and friends.

That being said, many people will say things that you are just not expecting to hear. Here are some things that you might hear as you show off your beloved new family member.

Why did you get a puppy? You could have rescued an older dog! There are so many unwanted dogs out there, and you went with a puppy!

It is your choice, and a puppy may be just the right fit for your family. You may be looking for a certain breed. You may also want to get a puppy so that you can train him or her the way that you want.

You really adopted a puppy? You really don't know what you are getting when you adopt a puppy. He or she could be a mix of many different breeds so you don't really know what you are getting.

If you find a puppy that you want, there is nobody stopping you from getting him or her!

Should you get a new puppy at your age? Many people can't keep comments to themselves regarding your age. They may feel like you don't need the extra work, or they may be thinking that your new puppy may outlive you.

If you feel like you can potty-train and train a puppy, you can absolutely do it!

What about children? Then there is the other side when it comes to your age. They may assume that you aren't going to have children because you have a puppy instead.

The simple truth is that nobody should remark about children to anyone. You may have been trying for years, and you are giving up on the dream of children. You may just want to ensure your puppy is an adult before you bring a child into his or her home.

You look terrible. Aren't you getting any sleep? Just like with new parents, you should never comment on how someone looks. It can be exhausting getting up regularly with a new puppy.

You may also be tired from chasing after your ball of fur! Instead of evenings relaxing on the couch, you spend them trying to keep your puppy out of trouble.

Are you sure you want (INSERT BREED HERE)? You may get a lot of questions depending on what breed you choose to get. No matter what, there are downsides to every breed.

That being said, as long as you have done enough research, you have made the right decision for you and your family.

Your puppy will be fine if you come out. Many people will not accept that you aren't quite ready to leave your puppy except when you have to. They won't realize that you enjoy spending time at home with your new baby.

When you decide to show off your new bundle of love, you may hear some things that you don't want to. They may be questioning why you got a puppy and if you will have children now that you brought home a new family member. They may even have something to say about your age. They may criticize the breed that you choose or the fact that you really have no idea what kind of dog you have!

Just remember that you made the decision to get a new puppy, and you should enjoy every moment. Don't worry about what others say. They will soon come around.

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Previously published on Medium and/or Newsbeak.