I never really understood the phrase ” a dog is a man’s best friend” until I had my very own dog. Yes, I had pets growing up, but those were my dad’s dogs really. He raised them, fed them, took care of them and all of that jazz. They were my furry friends, but they were family pets.
My junior year when I got Sadie I was having what you would call “hitting a rough patch.” I was living in a house with no heat, taking 18 hours in school, busy to the max, had serious boyfriend and friend in general issues and all I wanted was a puppy. All I wanted was a dog that would always be my friend. Something positive to put my life towards and not dwell of the sheer crap that was happening everyday. I went out and bought a collar before my parents even said yes, just because I needed a little ray of sunshine in my day. I feel like my mom finally caved in and realized that it would be a good idea when I called her bawling on the phone, because I was having such a hard time during those weeks and all I wanted was a friend. Even if that friend had furr and peed on the floor.
To be honest, I didn’t even want a girl puppy; I wanted a boy. His name was going to be Barkley and he was going to be the best Air Bud dog you had ever seen. I don’t really know why I wanted a boy so bad, they are so hard to potty train. It was mostly because I heard that it was proven that boy dogs were more snuggly, and I wanted me a snuggle buddy.
When you hear people say that something “picked” them, it is really true. I went into that dirty shed and sat down and this little puppy just crawled up and laid down in my lap. She didn’t leave {{except when Jacob snagged her up}}. I was so torn between the boy or girl that I made everybody leave and put all the other puppies away. It was between Barkely and this other girl dog that wouldn’t leave me alone. I walked away with the girl, wrapped around that tiny fuzzy paw.
Sadie went everywhere with me. I would have taken her to class if I could. I think that is where she learned to be such a chill dog. She would go over to friends houses, to events and just anywhere and everywhere in general I felt like taking her and dogs were allowed. She just learned to adapt and thus I got the most chill dog on the face of the earth.
At Uncle Jared’s soccer game {{where dog’s weren’t allowed but I took her anyways}}
10 Reasons Dogs Are Mans Best Friend
1. They don’t talk back or talk behind your backs in general.
2. They are 100% all forgiving creatures. They are loyal until the very end. Like seriously, loyal to the very end. They will always choose you, no matter what.
3. They do whatever you want to do without complaining! {{They may just lay down in the middle of the road when they don’t want to run anymore}}
4. They miss you and are always happy to see you.
5. You can get them to do the most ridiculous things with treats in hand. No matter what, give them that bone and they will do whatever you say.
6. They are the best snugglers. {{well really Sadie just lays there and lets me snuggle her}}
7. They know how to have a good time.
8. They have this inner need to protect you at all times. Sadie is the gentlest dog in the whole world, but if she feels that I am being threatened she turns into Devil Dog. For example, I always shut my door when I am in my room and asleep and if Sadie hears any threatening noise whatsoever she starts this deep throaty growl that even freaks me out! She will not stop either, no matter how much you say it is ok, until you open that door and she sees no visible threat. She almost went after a guy that stood in the shadows at an old apartment. She will not move. She stands like a rock statue and growls until she feels everything is O.K.
9. They don’t judge you. They accept you as exactly who you are.
10. They need you just as much as you need them. They love you, unconditionally.
I seriously encourage everybody that has the time, money and desire for a dog to get one. Sadie filled the void in my life. Y’all prob think I am crazy, but if you have a pet you understand. She gave me a place to put all that love I had {{that was rejected by others}} and loved me back {{like others could not}}.
Just Make Sure
1. You have a lot of $$$. Puppies are not cheap creatures. They also have a monthly “tax” of flea and tick and heart worm. So be prepared to spend a lot of money. I was actually just caught of guard this morning about a bump on Sadie’s paw. I currently do not have funds, so I am hoping that whatever is on her foot is O.K, and can stay there until my next pay check. Pray for my bank account {{and Sadie’s foot.}}
2. Stay away from Pet’s Mart at all costs. It is a money trap, and your dog does in fact need everything that is cute in that store.
3. You have time. Time to potty train the dog, teach it to fetch or whatever you want to do with your dog. I seriously was not away from Sadie for the first 6 months unless I was at school or work. My friends had to drag me out.
4. Be sure that you can give as much love as they will give you. They give you a lot, so be prepared to fall hard and fast in love with your pet. They give you the best kind of love, the unconditional kind.
If you can’t raise a puppy, but would love a companion I highly suggest the SPCA. My next furry friend will probably end up coming from the Golden Rescue. I have what you would call a bias towards Goldens. 
And just because I wrote this post instead of studying… here is Sadie trying to help me study for my final exam of my college career.
Katelyn & Sadie
{{Thanks, Mom!}}
