Weird, But True: Your Pet Can Prepare You For A Relationship

Man’s best friend isn’t all that different from man himself. Owning a dog can teach you the basics that you’ll need in order to be a part of a successful relationship. Of course, puppies aren’t the only pets that can help prepare you for a relationship. It doesn’t matter if you adopt a kitty, a hamster, or a tarantula, because they can all help you learn the skills you need in a successful relationship.

  1. It teaches you to be responsible. You need to feed, wash, and play with your pet in order to keep it healthy. While you don’t have to do those things for your boyfriend, you will have other types of responsibilities once you enter a relationship. Owning a pet will help you become more reliable, which means your future boyfriend will know that he can count on you.
  2. It teaches you to be patient. You can’t teach a puppy how to hold in its pee as soon as it’s born. He’s going to have a few accidents on the rug, and you can’t become too frustrated over them, because it takes time for him to learn. It’s the same with men. Your future boyfriend might take a while to adjust to being in a relationship with you, so you can’t rush him into moving in with you. You need to have patience with him.
  3. It teaches you how to show affection. If you’re afraid to let anyone into your heart, having a pet will change that. You won’t be able to go a day without squishing her in your arms and telling her how much you love her. That means that once you enter a relationship, you won’t be afraid to show affection to your partner, because you’ve learned how to show it with your pets.
  4. It teaches you to manage your time. Even if you have a full day ahead of you, you need to rearrange your schedule in order to find time for your pet. You can’t neglect them, because you have a responsibility to take care of them. When you enter a relationship, your new time management abilities will help you out, because you’ll always be able to make time for your partner without quitting your job or dropping out of school.
  5. It teaches you how to unwind. Even if you never let loose, a pet will force you to have some fun. Playing with them will help you unwind after a long, stressful day. Once you enter a relationship, you’ll already know the importance of taking some time to enjoy each other’s company thanks to your pet.
  6. It teaches you to compromise. It’s hard to compromise with a pet who can’t speak. However, if it’s clear that your cat wants to sleep in bed with you, but you don’t want her getting hair all over your sheets, you can compromise by letting her sleep in your room, next to your bed. It’s a stepping stone to learning how to compromise with your future boyfriend.
  7. It teaches you to love unconditionally. No matter what your pet does, you’re going to continue loving them. Even if your boyfriend does something unforgivable, like cheating on you, that doesn’t mean you’ll stop loving him. However, it does mean that you should end the relationship, just like you’d have to give up a dog that attacked you, even though you still love him.
  8. It teaches you about body language. Most communication isn’t verbal. Your boyfriend will be able to tell how you’re feeling based on your body language and tone of voice. It’s the same with animals. They might not understand the words you’re saying, but they’ll definitely notice how you’re saying it.
  9. It teaches you to take care of yourself. If you party too hard and can’t drive home, how will your pet eat its dinner? If you end up dying from all that partying, who will raise your pet? You need to take care of yourself if you want to be capable of taking care of your pet. You also need to take care of yourself if you want to be a good girlfriend.
  10. It teaches you how to move on. The worst thing about dogs, cats, and bunnies is that they don’t have very long lifespans. While it’s heartbreaking to watch your pet die, the experience will teach you how to mourn and eventually move on. After all, just because you’ve lost one pet that you loved doesn’t mean that you can’t get another new pet to love. It’s the same with relationships. You shouldn’t give up on men, just because you lost one that you loved.
Holly Riordan is a writer from Long Island, New York who has authored several science fiction and horror books. A graduate of Stony Brook University, she has spent nearly a decade writing for publications including Thought Catalog, Huffington Post, Teen Vogue, and more. You can find her on Instagram @hollyrio and Twitter @hollyyrio.
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