I remember being so excited when a puppy followed my brother home one day because I thought for sure we'd get to keep it. And I remember crying when my brother found the puppy's owners because even though I knew those kids would be happy that their puppy was back, I was still sad that the puppy didn't get to be ours. I mean, come on, he came home with my brother. All by himself!
My neighbours had dogs when I was growing up. Dogs that I remember as sweet old things who let me pet them and snuggle them whenever I could. And dogs that I remember being sad when they died.
I had friends who had dogs and part of what I liked about going over to play at their houses was getting to play with, and snuggle with, their dogs.
I talk to strangers' dogs. I try to talk to the strangers too, so as not to appear rude, but dogs don't mind if you say hello and most of them will give you a friendly wag of their tail and say "hi" in their own doggie way.
I've always liked dogs. And dogs have always liked me too. I'm not allowed to have a dog in the apartment I'm currently living in, but I know that when I (eventually) move, I'll be looking for a place that allows pets.
But I know that having a dog is probably not all I've imagined it to be. I know that it won't always be perfect, and so, knowing that one day I'm going to be a dog owner, what do you think I need to know, or what should I be aware of. For those of you who have, or have had a dog, what could you tell me that might make me change my mind (or at least have a good hard think about it)? Shedding? Medical expenses? Walks in the pouring rain? Just what is there about possible future dog ownership that I need to know?
10 comments:
I took care of a puppy for two weeks last March and that has killed my dream of single dog ownership. It is a lot of work for two people. For one, it is just about unmanageable. Don't get me wrong, Charlie was a great puppy and I love him and miss him. We had good times together but it's not something I would attempt on my own ever again. At the time, I was living the grad student life so I was home a lot to walk him. But after I go back to work full-time, there's no way I'm going to be able to spend the amount of time and energy a dog requires. You might want to borrow a friend's dog for a couple of weeks before you actually commit to one of your own.
When I was just starting my backpack across France, I got followed by a stray (You may have seen the photos). It was quite sad when he didn't stay with me, the company would have been nice.
I don't mind walks in the rain etc, I walk in the rain often enough anyway... probably the downsides are that they can be a bind - you can't just decide not to go home one evening - and that they don't live as long as we do..
I think there are a lot of things to consider when you get a dog. But I was like you in that I always wanted one when I was little, and never got one.
When we bought our house the first thing we did was get a dog. Was he a lot of work as a puppy? Yah, but it was about a month of needing to get up in the middle of the night to let him out... that doesn't seem too long to me. And we did dog classes for almost a year, but those were fun for us and him. And we haven't had any crazy vet bills yet *knock on wood*. But I don't think that it would deter me from getting a dog even if we did.
There is nothing like coming home to a dog. He is so happy to see us no matter what. I could have the worst day in the world at work, but I come home and he just instantly cheers me up.
He encourages me to exercise more than I would on my own. Sometimes I can use him as an excuse to leave work at a reasonable time. There's not much he prevents me from doing, although I do wish there were more places he could come with us... but he doesn't seem to mind napping at home while we go out! :) Overall I wouldn't trade having a dog for anything. Go for it when you can!!!
I second Elusive Butterfly's comment. I had Sierra with Chris and that was totally great. But there were two of use to manage the workload, which is considerable. Right now I'm dogsitting on my own for the world's most energetic and badly-trained puppy and I don't really know how to describe it other than to say it is absolute hell most of the time, and I'm a dog lover. I have gotten almost nothing done in the last two weeks because he needs a two hour walk every day plus a short one in the morning and at night, needs time spent brushing him, training him, and feeding him, and all the hours in between that he just wants to play. All. The. Time.
I think he's a bit extreme but seriously, it's overwhelming for one person and there are days when you just don't want to go out to walk for an hour or more, but you have no choice. There are no more spontaneous overnight romantic getaways (or non-romantic ones, for that matter.)
Anothing thing to be wary of is that so many people say dogs help keep you active, but that is a misleading statement. For people who are very sedentary, then yes, a dog helps keep them active. For someone who hits the gym regularly, however, I find a dog hinders my activity level because I don't have time to go to the gym as often. Going for a walk just doesn't have the same impact as going to the gym, so for me having a dog actually REDUCES my activity level and since I know you hit the gym all the time, the same thing might happen to you.
Having said all that though, dogs are wonderful when you have planned for them properly :) I will get a dog again when I'm married, but probably not before.
Hmmm, good thoughts peeps! :)
ps Thanks!
So many negative people out there! What kind of dogs have you had! I just stumbled onto your blog a week or so ago and this is my first time posting so forgive me if I'm out of line, but...
Dogs are great. I don't know what kind of dogs that these people had that took hours and hours out of their day and two people to control, but for me it just hasn't been so. If you get a good intellegent dog and train it well then it will never be a problem for you. Yes they shed, but lint rollers take care of that as well as regular brushing. Just do some research on the type of dog you want, as some drool, but otherwise they're great to have. It's great to have a dog come running over to you after a long day of whatever and be excited to see you no matter what. The joys of having a dog far outweigh the housebreaking and feeding/walking.
Also I'm a runner so taking them for a walk was never a problem, we just went for a run.
they change your life in all the best ways...research the breeds you like cuz not every dog is for every person(some breeds are so very demanding,tryig, etc), start training immediately, and fall in love...
ditto on Dilling's comment.
They are totally worth everything you go through with/for them.
I'm pretty sure that one day I'll have a dog and will love it to pieces. Just wanted to hear the "other" side to make sure I was fully aware :) I look forward to having my very own for sure! :D
And, welcome The Civilian, you're not out of line at all :)
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