Old Habits

So I had to take Le Puggin in for his yearly heartworm test (which he passed, and is worm free, thank Christ). He's a year and five months old, and I just never have gotten around to getting him snipped. I've told myself all this time that it's because of time constraints and just not having the extra cash free to do it, but in reality, I'm in denial (as usual). It's not about the time or the money. It's about guilt. I've gotten used to him as is, and the thought of sending him away and getting him back a little lighter than before just kinda feels wrong to me.

I'm not sure why this is a sudden issue. I've had cats, and neutered them. But I guess with dogs (and male dogs in particular) it would be more obvious and guilt inducing.

"You really wanna get this done as soon as possible," the vet advised me as he poked and prodded. "They develop habits from carrying these things around."

This just spawned a host of defensive thoughts inside my head: "This is my baby you're talking about. And anyway, I bet YOU'VE developed a few habits carrying YOURS around. And how would you feel about getting them lopped for the good of the race?"

So here I am, in this quandary. It's actually not that unusual for purebred dogs to not be altered. And I could whore, I mean, stud him out for $250.00 each time. Not that I think I could do that either, but still. It might pay for dog food some day in the event we hit the skids.
Any bollocks-lopping guidance the collective blog community could provide would be considered and appreciated.

Comments

Meadow said…
All I have is compassion. I used to have birds and it pained me to clip to their wings.
5:19 PM
The Unseen One said…
Just remember that when they are snipped, they generally live longer.
6:05 AM
Julie said…
I know I felt really guilty about doing it to Skippy also, but it generally does make males live longer, healthier lives not to mention the already overpopulated pet population, and after Skippy was snipped, his coat really filled out and so did his body - like that energy went into his body instead of just into his 'boys'.
I know it's tough 'moma'. This is just my opinion.
7:36 PM
Troy Camplin said…
Depends on whether or not you want him to be calmer. Or on whether or not you want him to be humping everything in the house. Unless you keep him in hot bitches, of course. Depends on if you want a horn dog or a pug dog :-)
7:36 PM
Azathoth100 said…
Sorry, not a dog person at all so my advice probably wouldn't be good for you. Good luck with the prob.
7:41 PM
V said…
Thanks, Goddess. :) Compassion is all too short in the world.

I suppose, NH. That might be the best reason of all.

I appreciate your sympathy, Sarah.

It's hard, Julie, because he is my first dog of my very own, so I'm not toughened up to all these challenges.

But he doesn't hump everything, Dr. T. He does mark stuff, though. That's kind of annoying.

Yeah, no anti-dog advice, Aza. That just gets me all pissy. :) So thanks for refraining.
10:37 PM
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