Although I have always been obsessed with pets, I had never actually owned a cat or a dog until my girlfriend and I moved in together last year.
She was homesick and missing all of her pets at her parent’s house.
I had everything from fish tanks to gerbils and rabbits. Secretly I always wanted a dog, but my parents refused to get me a larger pet that came with more responsibilities. Now that I have a cat and dog together, I realize in part why my parents were so reluctant to do this when I was younger. These animals take a lot of work and responsibility. Although cats can be easier to maintain on a day by day basis, you have to work with them and train them early or they will climb all over the countertops and appliances in the house. Dogs are notorious for chewing on shoes, baseboards, and furniture legs. I think my least favorite part about having cats or dogs is the immense amount of hair that they leave all over your house. Whenever I previously changed my air conditioner filters after four to six weeks of use, there was so much pet hair that I had to start doing it every three weeks instead. I still find hair after three weeks, but it isn’t enough to completely cut off the air flow going into the air conditioner. Once I get paid again, I’m going to purchase air purifiers for the house so this hair and dander can get collected in their filters before it can find its way into our air conditioner filter.