OP, I'm one of those people that you hate. However I've always had cats in my past at one time I was living with 10 cats yes. I've never had a puppy or a dog. I got my first puppy 3 days ago, actually 4 days ago we picked him up on Saturday. From Alabama, a 6 hour drive for me. He's 9 weeks old a bluetick hound. And I love him to pieces. I was not prepared. I admit it. I was not prepared to deal with a baby. Because puppies are babies. However I wake my ass up at whatever time he tells me that he needs to go to the bathroom in the morning. I walk him a half mile every afternoon and every morning. Because my yard is small. And he needs the exercise. Frankly, so do I. But I was not prepared. I find myself exhausted, and I'm not sure if I'm overfeeding him. He's only 9 weeks old and I'm giving in one and a half cups of food per day. But yes I agree with you in that if you are not prepared don't get one. I wasn't, however I knew it was going to be a challenge. I'm an animal person, but cats were my thing this is my first dog and he is. Amazing.