Two things can be true at once: I love… and sometimes resent… my dog

I’ve talked about this sentiment before (see our My Dog Has Both Helped and Hurt My Mental Health, Today I Don’t Want to be a Dog Owner, and Chicken Soup for the Dog Owner’s Soul articles) but I have been in the thick of it all over again lately.

Writing has long been the best way I process—so here’s a brain and heart dump about how much I absolutely adore my sweet cattle dog… and also how ridiculously hard it feels to be in charge of her sometimes.

paws.andreflect

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paws.andreflect

A post shared by @paws.andreflect

Disclaimers that I sincerely hope aren’t necessary but am going to make anyway

I like to think anyone reading this article, on the supporter section of our blog, already knows these things. But I feel better when I cover my bases ahead of time because I know internet communication can be messy—so before I “bare my soul” about my current dog ownership anxieties, I want to be clear that:

• Scout is one of my favorite creatures on the planet. I do not regret adopting her! I do not think she’s broken or bad or unfit to be a companion. And I am not t…