fbpx

Check out our new merch today!

April 14, 2014

Don’t wait for the “right time” to get a pet

Before I got Eko, I cared for another dog named Eko. We also went on adventures, laid on the couch together and took long walks around the neighborhood. The only shortcoming of this Eko was he wasn’t real. He was just an idle daydream my mind would wander to throughout
Before I got Eko, I cared for another dog named Eko. We also went on adventures, laid on the couch together and took long walks around the neighborhood. The only shortcoming of this Eko was he wasn’t real. He was just an idle daydream my mind would wander to throughout the day.

Just like Eko, I’d lay my head against the couch and dream

“I would love to have a dog,” I’d think. But an inevitable voice of doubt would shatter my musings. “Your apartment is too small for a dog,” it said. “You don’t have a good schedule for a dog,” it admonished. “Just wait for the right time,” it implored. I relented. I held on tightly to my dream of finding an adventurous pup to be my partner, but whenever I let that dream creep towards action I chided myself for thinking rashly. The time was not right. There were a few times I thought I saw the right time approaching, only to have life throw a wrench in my plans. I changed cities, I changed jobs and each change pushed me further from that idyllic “right time” when I would have a fenced yard and a schedule perfectly suited to raising a dog. Frustrated, I decided to think about what I would do if a dog was dropped on my doorstep and I had to take care of him. I worked out a theoretical schedule where I could cover most day-to-day stuff and have a friend/family member/dog walker cover other times. The schedule called for some tight-squeezes and sacrifices on my part, but it was doable. “Hey, it’s doable!” I realized. But not everything that’s doable should be done. It was certainly not the “right time” I patiently waited for. And I had to admit there were a few question marks about how I would make time to ensure my pup was always well cared for when I had to travel for work. I thought long and hard about whether I was ready to take on the responsibility of having a pet. I was ready to make the necessary sacrifices, but my circumstances were not what I hoped for. I was just about to once again shelve my dream when a new realization struck. If you wait, there will never be a right time. There will always be difficulties and challenges in life. The waves never stop rolling in. I realized the “right time” is not something you wait for, it is something you make for yourself when you’re ready. I made the decision to make it the right time. I traded my daydream Eko for a real one and it was one of the best decisions of my life.

Holding the daydream in my mind wasn’t nearly as good as holding the real deal in my arms

For the past year, I have carried another daydream with me. She does not have a name, but I know where she belongs. I have once again decided to make right now the right time. This summer Eko gets a little pup-sister! I have plenty of details to share in the coming weeks, but today I wanted to share this story in hopes of encouraging people to trade in those daydream pets for the real thing. Don’t wait for the right time, make it the right time!

Comments for Don’t wait for the “right time” to get a pet

  1. meANXIETYme says:

    Woohoo! That’s awesome. We gave our Le Moo a buddy last May and although it was tough at first and it seemed to happen at a “wrong” time, the two have become good friends and playmates. AND we’ve been blessed with having them in our lives.
    Can’t wait for more info and PICTURES! 🙂

  2. Elyse says:

    Wonderful news — and you’re right about it never being the right time. It’s also not usually the wrong time. I need a dog. NOW!

  3. Victoria says:

    well said!! I had the same epiphany twice! Hence i have Rigs and Muffin…starting to have it a third time but reason is winning right now. Can’t wait to see Eko’s new sister – congrats on getting a new family member. You will love the new one just as much as Eko (hard to believe i know) and have twice as much fun w/the two of them

  4. It’s a baby Eko!! How cute!!

    Congrats on planning to get a sister for Eko. Are you going to get a different breed or stick with a Ridgeback?? When I feel ready for a dog, I wanted to adopt from the local humane society.

  5. scarlybobs says:

    Squee that’s so exciting!!! Can’t wait to hear more about this 😀

    It was totally the wrong time when we adopted both our dogs…no regrets 😉

  6. PigLove says:

    My mommy said the same thing about me. When is the right time to get a piglet? She waited 43 years for that right time. Now, she can’t remember life without me… and I can’t remember life without her. XOXO – Bacon

  7. Emmadog says:

    Oh boy, a puppy! My sisters and I are so excited for Eko…well, we also know the downside to a new sister, but it will be pawsome! There is no ideal time. Bailie was rather unplanned but we made it work and we couldn’t be happier. As long as you have the love, a home, and the means to properly care for the new addition, you are ready!

  8. Awww! Can’t wait to see her!

  9. I was fostering Circus through a rescue, went to grab him the day they pulled him from a kill shelter. I’ve never seen someone react to me with such familiarity, like he was waiting for me. I think, like everything else, when you find something that you want bad enough, you make time. That’s what is important, and everything else falls around it.

    P.S. I absolutely cannot stand how cute Baby Eko is.

  10. Morgan says:

    Aw, how exciting! I found that life got a little easier with two dogs. With three it gets a little tough again though (you know, only having two hands and such.) Congrats on your big decision!

  11. fredrieka says:

    I came into momwithoutpaws life around mothers day .. Dadwithoutpaws did not want two dogs .. He wanted her to wait till after Old Cissy earned her wings. Well I came in the family and Old Cissy liked and likes having me around. Momwithoutpaws was right!

  12. Thomas says:

    Hey guys. I have 4 ridgebacks and a few other dogs. I find that the ridgebacks love spending time with each other ridgebacks more than they like spending time with the other dogs. So all I’m saying is please please please get Eko a female ridgeback sister/girlfriend! Good luck with the new pup! Can’t wait to see some pictures! And good luck with the big move.

  13. Oh Eko will make the very best of big brothers for a little girl pup….how exciting – you’re really packing in the excitement this year so far – new home, a beautiful wife, new pup – what’s next??? We wish you tons of luck ALL WAY ROUND!

    Pam and Sam

  14. nerdgrl (Kim S.) says:

    Congrats! Can’t wait to see Eko’s little sister!

  15. Fabulous! You wrote this post at exactly the right time for me! I have been doing exactly the same thing except for another cat – a friend for Orlando. You are right, the perfect circumstances may never come to be and now is the only time! Thanks Will 🙂

  16. Oh! This is HUGE! You’ll be a PERFECT big brother, E. I can’t wait to see the new kid!

    Love and licks,
    Cupcake

  17. Jenna Matzer says:

    Good luck in your journey to another pup! I loved this post because I can relate to your feelings on “waiting for the right time.” I adopted a dog a while back…a very active, playful dog. I often thought about how much she desperately needed a playmate other than myself. But then I began to worry about my yardless, small apartment. “It just wasn’t the right time.” We ended up going with our gut feeling and now, 2 months later, we couldn’t be happier. Eko will appreciate you even more for providing him a little sister. And I’m sure you’ve heard this before – raising two dogs is easier than one! Can’t wait to see pictures of the new addition!

  18. Excellent News! Speaking as an big brother, it’s a cool thing to be – you can show little sis all sorts of things. Although I pretty much ignore my little sis Maggie, I’m still glad she’s around! Excited for you. ~ Jack

  19. Carrie says:

    There’s never a wrong time to add more love to your life! Can’t wait to read about who’s going to be yours!

  20. Our hooman like to say, “there is never a right time or place until you make it so” It sounds like you made it so when you got Eko and you will do so again with the new addition whee are sure! Any ideas for names yet? Or breeds?

    Whee can’t wait to hear more

    Nacho, Noah, Buddy & Basil
    xxxx

  21. pawedblog says:

    Oh my gosh! I am so excited for you and can’t wait to hear more details!
    Great post, you’re so right, the time will never be right (for anything) if we don’t make it so!
    Hugs, Carrie (Myfie, Ellie and Mille) x

  22. Fantastic post! Added bonus the wonderful picture of Eko. Luv you guys!
    Marty

  23. Mela Designs says:

    Looks just like my Sam as a pup, he is now 12 years old 🙂

  24. Alisa says:

    Congrats! We also have a Ridgeback boy and have decided to get him a Ridgeback sister this June! It’s not the ideal time for us, so I can definitely relate to your feelings of nervousness. Can’t wait to hear more about her and to see Eko with a sister 🙂

  25. I bet you will have a super summer with Eko and the sister- pup :o) I agree with you, to wait for the “right” time is difficult, we just should follow our heart. :o)

  26. Misaki says:

    Eko’s getting a sister? That’s soooo exciting!!

  27. I whole heartedly agree with you! There’s nothing as wonderful as having a dog. I was living in an apartment yearning for a dog, but knew it wasn’t going to work because I had my heart set on a border collie and I’m not sure who would have gone crazy first, me or the border collie. And then I saw a message about a ragdoll kitten who had been born without eyes who was free to a good home and who would have to be an inside cat and I knew he was the pet for me! Everyone I knew said that it was the stupidest idea ever, but I didn’t care, I made it happen, and it is quite possibly the best thing I’ve ever done. And now that I have Oscar those naysayers are being forced to eat their words. I figure if we want something hard enough we can make it the right time, and I think you absolutely made the most fantastic decision to get the incredibly handsome and hilarious Eko 🙂

  28. Jorie says:

    Will, I love this post. So many people told us not to get a puppy because it would tie us down and mess up our schedules—and we listened to them for a while. But I knew that my life was lacking a little furball and it got to the point where I was DREAMING about the day I’d get to have a dog of my own, so I totally know what you’re talking about. Winnie has been an amazing gift this past year and we’ve made it work swimmingly. Of course there are hiccups along the way, but like you said, there will never be the perfect time. Congrats on your decision to add a new pupster! Cannot wait to see new photos!

  29. ThatJenK says:

    Love this! “Don’t wait for the right time, make it the right time!” is a great message – for lots of things!
    Can’t wait to read about new puppy adventures.

  30. OhMelvin says:

    So much to say!!!! First, totally agree with you. You can outline all the challenges of having a dog but often, the part we forget to factor into that list is all the benefits and beautiful moments of having one! Like you have to take it for walks, but you GET to go on walks with your buddy! And obviously, you can’t realize the beauty of the love until you feel it! And second, YAY for sibling dogs!!! Can’t wait to follow that adventure!!!

  31. Dottie and Tuffy-Cat (on the mend) says:

    Will, you should have suggestions from your readers for “names” for the new baby. Right off the bat, I thought of “Wilko”. Anyone could figure that one out. It may sound too masculine to some. But I figure with you and Eko around she’ll turn out to be a real “tom-girl” in order to keep up; and a “daddy’s girl” just wouldn’t be able to hack it with you two. I can’t wait until you start making costumes for the three of you. lol I’m glad you made the decision to do this. Some pup out there is just waiting for you and the flying Eko come to rescue her, and bring her “home”. Have lots of fun and great times ahead; not to mention double the love.
    Dottie and Tuffy-Cat

  32. […] Territory made a good, relevant point on this very subject earlier this week, when he wrote “Don’t wait for the ‘right time’ to get a pet“. The point isn’t to get a dog in spite of all the problematic circumstances I’ve […]

  33. Jenny says:

    What exciting news! Can’t wait to see Eko’s little sister! 🙂

  34. Nightshade says:

    Congratulations, that is wonderful news!! I’m sure Eko will be thrilled with his new sister when she arrives!

  35. Very cool everyone needs a house full of animals (minus the hording part) Life is too short need to live in the moment and enjoy life with the furry ones.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Us on Instagram

@markingourterritory