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Pets MEGA Cats VS Dogs - POLL!

The Big Question - Cat v's Dog

  • Total voters
    171
it looks like getting a new puppy might be difficult under your circumstances

do you like cats??
 
Sorry, CS, have to go with the majority here. Your puppy and you must have time to bond.

I've considered getting a Siberian Husky puppy (lifelong dream) now that I have a fenced yard and my father won't give up my cats (he's 700 miles away, and separating the 3 would devastate all of them). I decided against it because I do not have enough time to train and care for a dog right now. I won't burden others with entertaining a dog I should be devoting the time to raising lovingly.

Are there dog parks in your area where you and your Lab can go socialize and exercise? The happiest dogs I know are those whose owners take them to the dog parks regularly. The owners are happy too. Even if your doggie is old and lazy, he'd likely enjoy the experience, provided he has no behavioral problems.

Lastly, what might be lacking in your life right now that makes you wish to adopt a pup? There are many animals in the pound and rescue organizations that would greatly benefit from a couple hours per week with the companionship of you and your Lab. A pet is a lifetime commitment; what you have to give in volunteering is not. Look into it!
 
Could you look into adopting a more mature puppy that is already toilet-trained? I know the RSPCA generally hold puppies until they are claimed, and work hard to make them 'house ready'. There are also certain breeds of dogs that don't need as much stimulation and are happy on their own - you could chat to an RSPCA rep' about this, as they deal with all breeds.

Another option might be to get two slightly older pups (siblings?) so they could keep each other company?

Also, what do you want out of a dog? Have you brain-stormed other potential pets that might give you the same loyalty and love without requiring supervision and stimulation?
 
mariposa, we have tons of allsum places for my dog. he gets a lot of exercise for a dog his age. he's actually in outstanding shape.

and there is absolutely nothing missing from my life that would make me want a puppy. i mean sure, i just got divorced. but me and the ex were already shopping for puppies when we separated.

i'm just a dog guy, and for my dog's entire life i've said that when he gets old, i'm getting a puppy. well, life happened, and i'm single, but i still want a puppy.

COTB, i've tossed the rescuing idea around. i might look into that, but you never know what you're gonna get with some of those dogs and many actually require more attention because of their abusive past.

also....and call me a horrible person....but there is just something about raising the little shit from a fur ball to an adult dog that is just awesome. i don't really want to rescue a dog, i want a damn puppy.

i like saying, "i want a puppy". it makes me feel like i'm 5.

i don't want a cat.
i don't want a bird.
i don't want a hamster.
i don't want a fish.
i don't want a girlfriend.

i want a fucking puppy.
 
I understand completely, CS. Even though I'm not an animal person (fucking allergies) I loved our family dogs - even if they did make my life hell. <3

Now this might be a completely bat-shit crazy idea, but could you consider a dog-share situation? Ie: you and another person or family 'share' a dog. Maybe they have it during the day, and you pick it up for the evenings and half of the weekend?
Obviously there would need to be a CLEAR written agreement on what you will call it, feed it and who has it when.. But it just might be crazy enough to work?
It would definitely have a better chance of succeeding if you lived close to the other person / family.

ORRRR.. And I'm doing stream of consciousness here.. You could get someone in to share your house and take care of the mutt during the day?
 
yea, i aint sharin my dog with nobody. the bond i have with my current pup is like nothing i've had with any human or family pet ever.

i do have neighbors that come and go during the day that could help. so that might be an option.

i'm just brainstorming here. i was talking with this guy in my office that's a big dog lover and worked at a vet during college and he thought leaving the pup in the kitchen wouldn't be a problem. so that gave a glimmer of hope, but the more i thought about it, the more i didn't like the idea. so i thought my drug board computer box friends could help shed some light.

thanks for the suggestions, friends.
 
I wouldn't leave a puppy home that long alone. We got an 8 month old pup who was almost house trained. My husband went home every 3 hours or so to take him outside.

I also feel that having a puppy around an aging dog is a bad idea. Their energy levels and needs are so different. Good traits might not rub off as you hope. Focus on giving your current dog the best last years ever.
 
A puppy needs A LOT of care and attention and given your limited availability, it would be irresponsible to bring a puppy into your home without proper supervision. Visit your local shelters and find a dog that is already house broken. It might not be a pup, but it will more than likely still be a young dog with most of his life ahead of him. Sure puppies kick ass, but there are lots of 1-3 year old dogs that people abandon once the pup-appeal is gone and the magic has worn off who are in need of a home. Perfectly fine dogs who just caught a tough break.

Haven't you seen the Sarah McLachlan commercials?! :D
 
IME, older dogs are usually very, very irritated by puppies. Puppies are very energetic and if your dog is happy just laying around then I think a puppy would probably make the dog unhappy by harassing it 24/7. Older dogs are set in their ways, they don't want little puppies coming around upsetting the order of things.
 
maybe i should find a girlfriend and make her only purpose in my life to take care of the puppy while i'm working.

once the puppy is a little older and good to go, i'll dump her.
 
ChickenScratch said:
maybe i should find a girlfriend and make her only purpose in my life to take care of the puppy while i'm working.

once the puppy is a little older and good to go, i'll dump her.
Click to expand...

Oh hey, I'm going to be graduated and unemployed come June.
It'll take me awhile to find a job that I like, probably about the same length of time it takes to raise a puppy.
 
here's some recent pics of my old man. he just had a massive tumor removed from his side. he is my best friend in the whole fucking world. dog's are so much more rad than people.

2ziaez6.jpg


1z6e8nq.jpg
 
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