My Current Fear
- Simply Jelly Jam
- Oct 14
- 4 min read
In honor of National Face Your Fears Day celebrated on the second Tuesday of October.
Last year, I wrote about My Dogs' Fears in honor of National Face Your Fears Day. This year, I wanted to write about my current fear related to my dogs and the couch.
In case it's helpful, below are the main points covered in this post:
My Main Fear and Worries
I need a new couch, but I fear that purchasing one would be a waste of money. So... Why do I believe this?
When I first adopted my small dog, Rascal, he loved my first ever couch. It was a plush, fabric couch that lost its plushness over the years. Rascal and my first dog, Shadow, would spend hours playing and cuddling on the couch when I was out of the house.
Within Rascal's first year of life, I bought a larger leather couch (four-piece sectional) that I hoped would be easier to clean, retain its shape longer, and provide more seating space for guests and lounging.
Rascal hated this couch! He tried to rip the seams on two parts of the sectional, but Shadow always stopped Rascal from destruction. Over time, Rascal accepted the couch. He and Shadow would cuddle on the couch when I was out of the house.
When Shadow died three years ago, Rascal attacked the two sectional pieces. I stopped and held him when he started (I knew he did it out of sadness after losing his best friend). Still, when I was not around to stop him, Rascal tried to rip the seams with no success.
After I adopted my large dog, Lucy, Rascal taught her how to tear the seams. Of course, I stopped it immediately, but they went crazy when eyes were not on them. I threw out one sectional piece last year. I was left with three sectional pieces.
This year, Rascal and Lucy started rough housing. During their play, they would trample the sectional piece Rascal hated since day one. It turned out flatter than the other sectional pieces.
When they were not play, Rascal and Lucy were working together to tear the sectional piece apart. Once again, I always stopped it immediately, but they would wage their war against the couch when I was not able to keep an eye on their lunacy.
Last month, it finally happened. They destroyed that one sectional piece. Lucy ripped out the foam cushion. Rascal claimed it as his victory spot. Lucy used it as a toy chest. I used their dog bed to hide the hideous result of their collaborative couch rampage.
I need to throw out the damaged sectional piece. Dad said I need to throw out the entire couch. But I am afraid about the cost of a new couch and the potential of Couch War II.
I also do not know what type of couch to get. Should I get another leather couch for ease of cleaning? Or should I get a plush fabric couch for extra doggy comfort? What are the chances that my lunatic dogs will attack a new couch?
Why I Should [Probably] Not Have This Fear
My current couch is the ONLY couch my dogs have attacked. Rascal and Lucy are well-behaved on couches they have encountered in other homes and hotel rooms.
It does not matter if it is a leather or fabric couch. If Lucy can lay down belly-up and Rascal can curl up on some blankets draped over the couch, there is no drama.
While a part of me fears getting a couch and it being destroyed by my dogs with a secret evil side, I realized that there is a chance that they would do nothing wrong to something new.
Steps to Facing My Fear
I have searched for couches online and in local furniture stores. The couches in my city cost more than in other cities or online stores.
Buying from another city increases the delivery and labor costs. I could rent a moving truck and pick up a couch from any other location, but that still costs more money than having a store deliver within my city limits. Money is tight, especially with several unexpected medical expenses this year.
Buying online means I cannot feel the couch beforehand. All the research in the world could not tell how comfortable couch cushions feel. Only my butt could let me know. I could return an uncomfortable couch within the store's return window, but I hate dealing with returns. I am a stubborn enough shopper to consider any purchase final.
Anyway, I want a comfortable couch for lounging. There are rare times when Dad and I watch a movie together, so the couch would need to be large enough to support us and the dogs.
However, I fear that the dogs ONLY hate couches under my roof, and, therefore, the purchase of a new couch would be a waste of money.
What's Next?
For now, the remaining two sectional pieces are in great shape, and the dogs show no signs of wanting to attack them. But I will one day face my fear and buy a new couch.
Comment below to share your fear and how you plan to face it!
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Thanks, and have a great day!
~Simply Jelly Jam
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