On reddit recently there was a discussion regarding adopting a dog…Smalltomatoespress says:

I think most people don’t really believe that we’ve bred dogs to PREFER human company to canine company. Yes, your dog needs a friend! Guess what!? You ARE that friend! Yes, your dog needs a playmate and a walk buddy. Again, YOU are that playmate, that walkbuddy. Two dogs can certainly like each other, and play with each other and snuggle up together. But as anyone with two dogs will tell you — it’s the human that is their best and first friend.

I also think that people don’t understand how much physical activity was typical for many thousands of years. Dogs are bred to keep up with a hundred sheep on a several acre field. Your average herding dog doesn’t think your five grandchildren are the LEAST bit of hassle. We’ve bred them to work hard, and turn around and play harder. So when they get off the job, it’s time to play, and they open up a whole new can of energy for that. And it’s just hard to explain to folks that yes, your dog will get older and lazier, and indeed, they do sleep 16 hours a day. But their day starts when YOU walk in the door after your work is done. You need to also find a new can of energy to open up.

It’s like a kid in terms of daily investment and work. People are always trying to tell me that kids are more work, that they have it so much harder, there are so many activities and so much attention they need. “A dog is soooo much easier, they just sleep on the couch and don’t do anything!” And I think — god, I feel bad for your dog. Where are its activities and one-on-one time? A dog is much simpler to manage than certain phases of childhood development, but people seem to not think about the REALITY of it:

1. Dogs need activities and unlike teenagers and older kids, they cannot do these activities on their own.
2. Dogs will not magically make friends that tie up their time, leaving you with some much needed alone time.
3. Dogs will need to go to the vet, and unlike kids that tell you they are sick and where it hurts, the dog will often actively HIDE pain and injuries.
4. Dogs never, ever get tired of Mom and Dad. Mom and Dad are NEVER uncool.
5. There is no sitting down and having a reasonable conversation with a dog about why things must not or must be a certain way.

But they should think about those things, definitely, when they get one. Because dogs are pretty awesome.

Read the entire discussion HERE