It's possible that I am addicted to my dogs. I'm spreading the word about the Pets Add Life campaign, or PAL as it's referred to, and it got me thinking about my "addiction". The whole purpose of PAL is to talk about how amazing it is being a pet parent and how it brings great things to your life and to encourage others to be pet parents. I can get on board with that! And, according to Dr. Phil I'm definitely addicted to my dogs. His 10 signs of addiction are:
1) Recurrent failure (pattern) to resist impulses. Guilty. I'm constantly faced with impulses to give my dogs treats and love and attention, and I always give in.
2) Frequently engaging in those behaviors to a greater extent or over a longer period of time than intended. Guilty again. "Oh, don't give me that look...ok, ok...here's another treat! Yes, I love you!"
3) Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to stop, reduce or control those behaviors. Yup. That's me. I constantly tell myself that I'm caving in to cuteness, but I always do it anyways.
4) Inordinate amount of time spent in obtaining the object of addiction and/or engaging in or recovering from the behavior. Well, I definitely go out of my way to give my dogs attention, which only makes them throw me the 'treat' eyes, which ends up with me giving them treats. However, I'm not sure I will ever recover from this action and I'm not sure I want to!
5) Preoccupation with the behavior or preparatory activities. Since my husband tells me I like my dogs more than him due to giving them my constant attention, I believe 'preoccupation' applies to me. Hold on, Twiggy need me...be right back! :)
6) Frequently engaging in behavior when expected to fulfill occupational, academic, domestic or social obligations. Is there something wrong with playing with my dogs instead of doing the dishes? Working? Acknowledging people/friends/family? I'm confused by this one, but yes, it applies.
7) Continuation of the behavior despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent social, academic, financial, psychological or physical problem that is caused or exacerbated by the behavior. Love and happiness and smiling are good things! Although my pocketbook definitely suffers...I do constantly ask Twiggy and Onyx to find jobs though!
8) Need to increase the intensity, frequency, number or risk of behaviors to achieve the desired effect, or diminished effect with continued behaviors at the same level of intensity, frequency, number or risk. Well, my husband does tell me that if it were not for him I would be an animal hoarder. I prefer to quote Jill Rappaport and believe that I would have "more (pets) than a sane person, but less than a hoarder."
9) Giving up or limiting social, occupational or recreational activities because of the behavior. When given the choice, I would almost always prefer to hang with my dogs. Guilty.
10) Resorting to distress, anxiety, restlessness or violence if unable to engage in the behavior at times. OMD, YES!!! I miss my dogs terribly when I travel and I do not get sufficient loving time with them I am definitely anxious and distressed. Luckily, violence never comes into play...unless someone else is acting violent to another being. That makes me ANGRY!
Conclusion, I am indeed addicted to my dogs.
Further conclusion, being addicted to my dogs is the best thing EVER! Pets add to my life on a constant basis. Not only do I get to love on my dogs, but I also get to snuggle with Emily, Chester, Olive and Pandora when I'm at the BlogPaws office. I simply could not imagine life another way. My life is so full of animal love and I find sadness in people who are missing out on that, and ever more sadness in those who don't seem to understand it.
Pets - yes that is plural - pets are the most devoted friends you will ever have. They are family. They are the best example of pure love that anyone will ever experience. They give it to us and they give it to each other. Watching my dogs interact is impossible to do without a smile on my face. I am forever thankful for all the pets that enter my life. I am thankful I convinced my husband (and when I say convinced I mean "didn't give him a choice") that adding a dog was a good decision. Bringing Onyx into the family doubled the pet love for all of us, including Twiggy.
On this Thankful Thursday, take a moment to thank your pet or pets. And if you are the proud parent of just one pet, consider making it more! Need a little convincing? Check out this video from the Pets Add Life campaign. I crack up every time I watch it:
I am happy to be spreading the word about the Pets Add Life campaign, supported by the American Pet Products Association. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the benefits and joys of pet ownership - something that is true and dear to my core. You can follow their blog, their Facebook page, Tweet at them and follow their Youtube channel.
