Wruff?

I think I've wanted a dog since I was about 3, but of course my mum was allergic to anything non-human. And I do mean everything, dogs, cats, horses, rodents... I wanted to ride horses, I wanted cats, dogs, rabbits. But no. When my mum died, I finally talked dad into getting a cat, and that worked out well for a few years. Inevitably I had to move to go to school, dad got engaged and moved also. And I feel like I've been moving ever since.

I had a session with my psychiatric nurse the other day, and we talked about getting some activities into my life that does not involve work or books, movies and my laptop. She suggested walking. Which I loathe doing on my own. "You should get a dog," she said. That reminded me that I actually really want a dog, and now is as good a time as any. Yes, I do have a very small apartment, but in return I work 9 hours a week and have way too much spare time on my hands, and my social network is a tad on the small side - I could do with a friend.

My family hates dogs, my sister's allergic to them (but she lives 7 hours away), and my dad's secretly scared of them. I admit, I've never had a dog because I've never had the opportunity. But you have to start somewhere. I've had a poke around the mighty internet and found a few dogs, and today I made the leap and sent an email to a place 2 hours from here who wants to relocate a long coated dwarf dachs. Very cute. Now I'm sort of curious about the response I get - being unexperienced and living in a small apartment can't be the best selling points. But who knows?

Yes, I have to take it with me if I go somewhere. Yes, they shed hair. Yes, I have to walk it two-three times a day. Did it ever occur to anyone that this actually might do me good?