This is a good post and something I can relate to. First, I have been an animal lover since I was little (I'm 20 years old now and a junior in college). My mom always nurtured my animal infatuation, my dad encouraged it, but my dad was always the "good" guy saying I could have more animals and my mom would come out the "meanie". My dad died when I was 13, and by that time we already had two dogs. I didn't get any more pets after that, except for goldfish lol! Now I'm an animal sciences major, so I'm putting my love for animals first. My whole family can see that now, and they know it's not just some 'stupid' infatuation. I knew I wanted to raise a service dog, and I did the applications myself and I got my puppy to raise last May. I decided I wanted another dog as a pet, and I chose the breed and breeder myself, and I told my mom who is surprisingly very supportive. She knows how responsible I am (I'm not a party-goer college kid) and that I understand the responsibilities of owning a dog and training it, etc. My extended family (my grandmother especially) is just starting to accept this as who I am, and that animals are my life. I plan on getting the yorkie next Spring when my puppy has matured and is gentle enough to have a new baby, and I hope that my family can understand that as well. As much as I don't believe in family approval (I'll do what I want, when I want, etc.), my mom's opinion matters greatly to me, and I'm very thankful that she understands what animals mean to me and my life. It's hard when someone criticizes for having more than one dog. It doesn't mean you're dirty or you don't take care of them at all! IMO, these people need some manners to keep their mouths shut! |