Page 44 of The Things That Hold Us

What kind of pet would I even get? Am I a pet person? A dog person? Or a cat person?

Cats pee on everything though, and dogs have to be walked a lot.

Right?

I dont fucking know, but I want someone.

An animal someone, not a person someone.

I wave a taxi down, and give him the address to the animal shelter.

I’ll probably regret this.

We pull up; I hand the man a $20 and step out of the taxi, looking at the shelter.

I can hear dogs barking, and it kind of makes me want to get back in the taxi and go home. But I don’t.

I need this. I’m sad, and I need this.

Walking in, I’m overwhelmed with the smell. It smells like every wet dog in the world has been thrown into this one building.

Ok, so maybe I’mnota dog person.

I’m looking around, trying to get a feel for the place, when a man walks up with a welcoming smile.

“Hi, welcome in. Is there anything I can help you with today?”

I smile back, trying to not look so out of place.

“Um, I think I want a pet?” I say, but it comes out as more of a question than a statement.

“You think? A pet is a very big responsibility, I would make sure you are sure before adopting.” he says, then adds, “Did you have a certain animal in mind?”

I think for a second, and honestly I have no clue. I don't even know if I really want a pet. I just want something.

“I really haven't thought about it. This was kind of an impulsive decision.” I admit, and shrug my shoulders.

He smiles at me, but I can tell he’s judging me on the inside.

“Well, I’d be happy to show you around, and show you our animals that are available if you’d like?”

“That sounds good.” I reply, “Do you only have dogs here? Or are there other animals?”

He laughs, as if that's a dumb question.

See. Judging.

“Yes, we have a big variety of animals. From dogs, to cats, to rabbits and lizards. You’d be surprised what people bring in.”

I cringe at lizard. No thank you.

He leads me through some doors, and the smell intensifies. I just remind myself that the smell is that bad because there are so many.

We walk through a door, and I see a couple rabbits, and something that looks like a hamster but bigger.

I definitely know I don't want anything that has to live in a cage. I want a pet that can sleep in the bed with me.

“Yeah I don’t think rodents are for me. I want something that can sleep in the bed with me.”

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