Black Girl in a Doggone World™

Black Girl in a Doggone World™

Share this post

Black Girl in a Doggone World™
Black Girl in a Doggone World™
Be a dog sitter before you're a dog owner

Be a dog sitter before you're a dog owner

Three things you need to know before adopting a new dog—even if you were a prior dog owner

Shamontiel L. Vaughn's avatar
Shamontiel L. Vaughn
Apr 26, 2022
∙ Paid

Share this post

Black Girl in a Doggone World™
Black Girl in a Doggone World™
Be a dog sitter before you're a dog owner
Share
Photo credit: Shamontiel L. Vaughn

I called my bank to handle an unauthorized charge. The interactive voice response told me it would be a 20-minute wait. I sprawled across my bed, annoyed that I would have to spend 20 minutes to handle a 60-second issue and grumbled about how much I have better things to do. On the other side of my bed, this face popped up. I smiled. How could I possibly stay mad about this phone call with this girl looking at me the whole time?


ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn a percentage for each purchase with my referral links.
Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe Whole Health Blend Dry Dog Food, 40 lb. Bag, Packaging May Vary (Rachael Ray)

Once you get a dog, it’s difficult to imagine life without a dog. (I’m assuming the same can be said for all other pets, but I’ve only ever wanted dogs — minus a handful of goldfish who I did a horrendous job of taking care of and died within a couple of months.) I’d had two other family dogs (a Labrador Retriever/German Shepherd mix, and a German Shepherd purebred), but my Hound mix is the first dog that 100% belongs to me.


ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I know some consumers are choosing to boycott Amazon for its DEI removal. However, after thinking about this thoroughly, I want to continue promoting cool products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and (specifically) Black-owned businesses who still feature their items on Amazon. As of the first date of Black History Month 2025, each new post will ALWAYS include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a Black-owned business. (I have visited the seller’s official site to verify that Amazon Black-owned logo.) I am (slowly) doing this with older, popular posts too. If you still choose to boycott, I 100% respect that decision.
Gerrard Larriett Aromatherapy Pet Care: De-Stress Aromatherapy Dog Shampoo Itchy Skin Relief and Conditioner - Lavender Dog Shampoo with Aloe Vera

And it took me two years of being a dog walker to decide whether I wanted to take that level of responsibility on. Contrary to popular belief, even those who used to have a dog may not be cut out for having another one, especially those whose dogs have passed away and those who adopt dogs with a different state of mind.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Shamontiel L. Vaughn
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share