Owning a dog is one of the most positive experiences a human can have. I know there are cat people out there but honestly... you're wrong and I hate you. Cat people are a different type of people, mostly because all they can do is not shut up about how much they love cats. I really do hope that such people end up living alone with their dream of a million cats. Thats how much they piss me off. 

Since I adopted my pup, I find myself generally happier as a person. If the ability to wake up every morning and spend at least five minutes cuddling with an adorable fluff ball doesn't already put my day off to a good start, I'm really not sure what would. She is always down for cuddles and sleeping, basically the only two ways to my heart. She is basically the perfect dog for me too, so I am extremely grateful every day for her. She is always on her best behavior and it is the best situation for me, being that I am a full-time college student. I have barely any time to train a puppy or a misbehaved dog, so her perfect behavior couldn't have worked out better for me. Basically, I'm bragging about how perfect my dog is. Sorry not sorry.

My recommendation would be to adopt a dog ASAP if you are considering it. According the the US Humane Society Organization, there are about 2.7 million pets that aren't adopted every year. Many people are convinced that the only way to get a dog is from a breeder or a pet store - you are wrong!! If anything, you could save yourself thousands of dollars. I adopted Sushi for only $90 at a local kill shelter in New Jersey. A Shiba Inu at a breeder would have cost me anywhere from $500 to $2,000, not including the vet bills or the spaying/neutering, which she was lucky enough to have previously been spayed prior to my adoption. 

People are also concerned that they "aren't sure what the are getting" when they adopt a pet from a shelter. Yes, it is true that sometimes dogs come with baggage, just like people. I will tell you from experience, the only animals I've had issues with were the ones that my family had bought from a pet store. A dog that we had bought from a local pet store was extremely sick when we first brought him home, and went on to have severe unstable mental problems. Shelters perform many tests on the animals when they are taken in to make sure they are suitable for specific homes (kids, other cats, etc.) to make sure that they can best fit the animals to an owner. 

Another issue people have is that they prefer buying puppies over older dogs. Puppies are super cute, but they come with huge responsibilities and are extremely time consuming. The first few months of having a puppy requires house-training, which takes a lot of energy and is extremely frustrating.. especially with your adorable puppy continuously is pissing on your favorite oriental rug. They also require just general training… leash training, teaching them basic commands, etc. I never had to deal with any of these aspects because Sushi is an older dog, and luckily, came as a huge bonus that she was already trained. I'm not guaranteeing that every dog at a shelter is going to be trained, but there is obviously a higher percentage than adopting a newborn puppy. 

Adopting has always been the right choice for me, and it should be the right choice for you too! I've been adopting all kinds of animals from rabbits to dogs for almost my entire life, if anyone has any questions be sure to ask me. Sushi has been happy ever since I brought her home and I couldn't be happier with my choice. I hope you make the right one when considering bringing an animal into your life. 

Christmas at the Parents

I haven't had the ability to blog for a bit because I was at my parent's house and mostly I would be hiding at my boyfriend's house without a computer. Sorry!

(Christmas Sushi!)

Christmas at my parent's house was probably a similar experience as everyone when they move out of the house: full of awkwardness and trying to find any opportunity to spike your drink. Our usual Christmas Eve traditions were carried out as usual. The family hangs our stockings on Christmas Eve, reads 'Twas a Night Before Christmas aloud to everyone, and then watches a Christmas Story. Luckily this year I was able to have about three glasses of wine, anisette, and some Maker's Mark and Dr. Pepper. Because of all of that though I was definitely falling asleep after the leg lamp scene during the movie. I was so tired on Christmas Eve I couldn't wrap my presents last minute like I usually do but just passed out instead. 

My mom woke me up at the crack of dawn the next morning. She gets way more excited Christmas morning than I have in over ten years. After peeling myself from my pillow and realizing that I was awake before most of the earliest birds in the morning, I dragged myself downstairs to realize that my parents had put the presents out at God knows what hour in the night. We all opened our presents for a few hours and I sipped multiple mimosas with the concentration levels mostly favoring champagne. Mostly I had received a few books and perfumes I had asked for and this five-in-one music player. Basically it plays any form of music you can think of, from vinyl records to my iPod. It's dope as fuck. Thanks Santa/Dad! I've been playing my Black Keys and Nick Drake records all morning. All in all, Christmas at my house was pretty good this year especially because our family was finally altogether.. and I was drunk most of the time. 

(Christmas Day outfit)

(Mimosas, presents & Sushi)

(Sushi wanting to open her stocking)

My Dog & I Have Too Much In Common

About two months ago I adopted my own first dog from an animal shelter near my parent's home. Our first introduction was while we were pulling into the driveway I saw them bringing in a dog that seemed as though it had ran away and I turned to my mom and sappily said, "Aw! Cute! A shiba inu!". Later, upon being escorted back to look at the dogs, I saw her once more staring at me with an expression on her face that was almost like she was judging me. While all of the other dogs scarily charged the gates and barked ravenously, she was making subconscious comments about my outfit, or the way I smelled.. which was probably like Dunkin Donuts iced coffee and egg and cheese bagels. Not only was she eyeing me up and down, but she almost seemed to disapprove. It was scrutiny at first sight.. so I took her home to my apartment.

So two months have since passed and I have realized that we have a lot more than in common than just how we both enjoy judging people. I'm not sure if I relate to dogs or just specifically my dog, but our favorite past times are all similar: eating, sleeping, and judging people. It has been a match made in human-doggie heaven since.

Also, above is a photograph I took of her doing two out of three of our favorite activities: rolling her eyes me and lounging around.
Since I live alone, most of the time I use the bathroom with the door cracked. She seems to enjoy coming and and staring/judging me while I am sitting on the toilet. Below is proof.