Petless

aka. What to Do About This Growing Need to Nurture When I've Just Signed a Lease for an Apartment That Doesn't Allow Pets and I'm Not Prepared for Children Quite Yet

You're welcome that I used the title 'Petless' instead.  But there you have it.  That thirty word title offers you all the insight you need to know about my current dilemma.

Ray and I want a dog pretty badly.  There was a chance we could have a dog at our current apartment, and I was over the moon excited.  I poured over adoption sites to find a dog that would be perfect for us--medium sized, low-shedding, not a barker, okay to live in an apartment without a fenced yard.  I found one or two that were perfect.  We dreamt up names (Ray still stands by the name Uncas...)

And then we found out that it was a firm no; we definitely weren't going to be able to have a dog in our apartment.  Later, we made the decision that we needed to move (completely unrelated to our petless situation, though.)  And a glimmer was at the end of the tunnel.  We could get a pet after all!  We'd just find an apartment that allows dogs!

Apartment hunting was limited--we wanted to remain within our ward boundaries.  We found three good places, two of which had No Pet policies.  But the third had some cons, most especially that the rent was significantly higher.  While we debated over which place to get, I got the text that the third place, that beautiful pro-pet triplex, was rented out.

And so, we've just signed the one-year lease for a great apartment.  The kitchen is large, the wall colors are vibrant, the floor has just been re-done in beautiful faux-wood, the bedroom is large enough to fit our over-the-top-huge king size bed.  But... no dogs.  No dogs for another year.

This wouldn't be that big of a problem.  I've gone without a dog for the past 4 years of my life.  But ever since getting married, I've had this itch.  This itch to nurture.  To hold something in my arms, to offer my love to something less capable.  Obviously, this itch is child-bearing.  What's with that desire suddenly showing up so soon after marriage?  I have a theory that having sex ups your nurturing hormones.  Who knows?  But I do know that we're not prepared for children quite yet.  And thus, the desire for a pet is SO strong.  Something to hold and love, but not quite the financial, emotional, and time-dedication is required.

If you have any suggestions of something I can nurture in the mean-time, let me know.  Plants?  A beta fish?  A blog?  A sewing machine habit?  I don't know what, but I need something quick.  Maybe if it's a small pet, I can hide it from the landlord.