With the level of anxiousness that I feel, you would think that I am a new mom prepping for the day I’ll be bringing my newborn home from the hospital. I suppose I could contribute this extreme level of nesting to the fact that this will be the first pet that is 100% mine.

To love something so unconditionally is special, and for that very creature to love you back is a bond that doesn’t compare to anything else. For more than half of my life, I’ve always had a pet. Dog, cat, crab, gerbil, rabbit…you name it, I took care of one. Since the breakup, this entire year has been the longest I have gone without a pet. It’s been lonely.