Puppy Remorse

I am not a dog person, and thus we are not a dog family. I am embarrassed to admit this truth as it feels like we are the ONLY family that doesn’t have a canine to love (who loves us back in equal amounts). Yes, my four children at one point or another begged us for a dog, but Mitch’s allergy to dog hair was a convenient excuse to gently reject their requests - until they suggested we get a hypo-allergetic pet. When I threatened that they would have to take on all pet responsibilities, that too kept them at bay. But when Ruby sent me this photo (taken at Tulane), her eyes told me I had made a mistake. Despite all the poop cleanup, freezing walks at all hours, and numerous vet visits and bills, the payoff would have been worth it. There’s got to be a reason why everyone is obsessed with their dogs, and I, remorsefully, will never know how that feels.