OPINION: The importance of waiting until you're willing
I received the most demanding and precious gift for my 21st birthday: the responsibility of taking care of a pet. I was a junior at Auburn. Balance and time management were no longer struggles for me. Then, along came Annabelle, a sweet, full of energy and personality, now-80-pound chocolate lab. I knew I wanted a dog long before I ever got Annabelle. But even at 18 years old, I was smart enough to know and understand that as much as I wanted to be, I wasn’t ready to take responsibility for another being. I was capable, but I wasn’t willing to give up what is necessary in order to give a puppy the time and devotion it needs. So I waited to get a dog until I was ready, and I want to encourage others to do the same.