The first sign you should get a dog is if you are tired of having enough personal space. Dogs do not see the invisible bubble that you and I have created around ourselves. Dogs love you, the space you occupy and any space near the space you are occupying. Lounging on the couch or bed with your knitting will be a distant memory; you will get the opportunity to constantly rearrange your items out of the dog’s way. If you as their human are present, they must be as close to you as possible. * I have been stepped on, slept on, collapsed upon, snuggled, and had my bare feet sat on in eighty degree weather in order for my furry companion to be touching me.
The second sign you need a dog is if your spouse or partner does not snore. Each and every dog I have lived with has snored, sometimes gently when they slept or sometimes deeply after a day of hiking, stalking birds, bees, and other critters, and traveling. Our current doggo does NOT sleep while we are driving no matter the distance – she might miss something! Those rhythmic snorts and squeaks are a nightly lullaby that must be heard to be believed.
Finally your third sign you should get a dog is you no longer want to eat your entire meal. No longer will you need to think, “I have too many baby carrots/bites of apple/too big a piece of chicken to eat. What should I do?” Dogs love, love eating anything that you are currently enjoying. Green beans (raw or cooked) and baby carrots are treated as caviar by the four canines who frequent my house.
In short, if you dislike personal space, your house is too quiet at night, and you like sharing food, allow yourself to be adopted by a dog or two. I suggest an adult or senior adult from a shelter.
* Especially during thunderstorms or in new places. You are the security blanket!