Any dog lovers living a dog-free life? Any pressure from your family to change that?

[LeeH]

I love dogs. Growing up, my family got a puppy when I was around 5 years old. She lived a healthy 15 or so years. My wife and I got a pound puppy early in our marriage. That dog also lived 15 years. So, for around 30 of my 48 years I've had a dog.

My wife and daughter think I'm the devil, but I don't really want another one. I'm enjoying the freedom of not having to worry about rushing home to walk the dog. Currenly I'm working on starting a new business and have no idea what my schedule will be. Plus, I'm enjoying a break from the expense of dog ownership.

Every couple of weeks my 12 year old daughter quizzes me about my readiness for bringing another dog into the family. When I say "no," she (surely a future lawyer) argues her point while trying to make me feel like a heel.

I don't want to say I'll never want another dog, but am quite comfortable right now without one. It's not like we are a pet free home either. We currently have two rats, two guinea pigs, a corn snake and a cockatiel. We are a foster house for a local "rat rescue" program and soon will have two more rats joining us.

Anybody else ever get heavy pressure from your family to adopt a pet that you know you don't want? How'd you handle it?

[varmint]

Originally Posted by LeeH

How'd you handle it?

by giving in and getting the dog

[Nostril Cheese]

A girlfriend of mine once became very persuasive about us getting a cat. I got a new girlfriend.

[SiberianDVM]

If you have live-in relatives that can help take care of the dog, I'd go ahead and get one. Sooner or later, you'll become so attached you can't see how you ever got along without it.

I'm single now, GF still has her own place, and I'm down to my last dog, from a high of 5, and she's getting pretty old. I've been debating on whether to get another, most likely 2 so they can keep each other company, but I really don't want to go through that phase where they destroy everything they can reach.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I get pressured every week to get a dog by the wife and kids. I just say no.

They brought home a guinea and a fish a couple months ago. You can't win.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I've had dogs forever. When I divorced in 2007 I got our two labs. I love/loved them to death. One passed almost 2 years ago. The other one is now 13 and doing well. My ex whom I'm on good terms with finally got a place she can have the dog in. I'm single and living alone. My work schedule and other commitments can mean long days and weekends away. She mostly works from home and took the dog a few months ago and although I miss him every day it has been a relief to have my schedule to myself and not worry about him and whether I'm home to walk him, let him out, etc. The cats keep me company but the big feeder and water thing mean I can leave for days with no guilt.

[widebody911]

I love dogs, and my wife wants a dog. But there are a few problems:

• She's never had a dog. Apart from playing with one on random occasions, she has no idea what is involved
• She's a cat person, and has 3 cats.
• She wants a tiny"toy" dog
• I don't think she's amenable to getting up @ 2:00am to let the little sucker out to go to the bathroom.

Long-story-short, I think she likes the idea of a dog, but has no clue about the commitment. Kind of like a lot of people are about kids.

[Laneco]

Maybe let her foster a rescue dog. Short term commitment. Good for the dog because they get home socialization which helps them find a good "forever" home and your wife would get a taste of ownership.

angela

[recycled sixtie]

Good question. Our black lab Sally passed away March of last year. I am enjoying my dog holiday- had 3 dogs in my life. My daughter is always trying to get me to get another dog. I say no. I say that when u move out, you get a dog. If you and your boyfriend have a house, I said to her I would walk it at lunch time.

You have to think of yourself and whether it would fit your lifestyle. Be firm, be fair and say no to something you don't want.
Signed no pushover!

[onewhippedpuppy]

I love dogs, and grew up in a house that always had one. My wife is seriously allergic to dogs, even the "hypoallergenic" breeds make her sneeze and her eyes itch. My 5-year old daughter LOVES dogs, since she could talk she's asked for one at every opportunity. Inside dog ain't happening, outside dog requires that I build a fence, dog house, etc. I've done my best to avoid the topic because I know who would have to take care of it (me), and I'm concerned that the novelty would wear off and the dog would be neglected.

[Slider79SC]

My wife and I have had dogs in our home for over 19 years. Shoot, we got our first dog while we were engaged. In January we put our last dog down at 16 years old. Am I ready for another, hell now. Is she, oh yes... am I getting pressure, oh yes... Am I giving in, no!

I had to put our last little boy down by myself while she was out of town for work. It still brings tears to my eyes just sitting here and typing this.

I love dogs to death but the love and commitment takes a long time to heal from after loosing them. My wife is traveling 70% with her job right now so that has been the only saving grace for me, for us to not get a new pair of babies in the house.

Enjoy the empty nester status you have now. I know we are.

Oh, and try doggysitting for a friend if they travel or go out of town, thats what we have been doing lately and it is a great fix for my wife.

The suggestion of being a doggy foster parent is a great one, just be careful that your girls don't fall in love with one of them and keep em.....

[Schrup]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

I get pressured every week to get a dog by the wife and kids. I just say no.

They brought home a guinea and a fish a couple months ago. You can't win.

My son has allergeis to dogs & cats. I would like a small dog, but don't mind waiting. We've tried some different breeds, but he still has reactions. We have fish & a parakeet.

[vash]

this topic is near and dear to my heart.

my wife grew up animal-less..she got free of her family, married me..and damn it if the flood gates didnt open up on my ass.

i love dogs..i like cats. i sometimes sit quietly and dream sequence myself to a better place. a place where i dont have to pick up poo in the yard, poo in the cat box, clumps of pee in the box..sweep up cat litter that GETS EVERYWHERE when the cats jump out exuberantly, no dog walks, no grabbing a dangerous animal (cat) to put on $1000 worth of flea meds, no vet bill, no pet food bills...

while i love the animals, i hate the baggage. absolutely hate it.

i have two cats, one dog. i named the old cat.."Second to last cat" young cat is "last cat"..

dog is named, "last dog, unless another dog can help me from getting another cat"..

[LeeH]

I've tried doing the math for my daughter:

"You're in 7th grade. In 5 years you'll be getting ready for college. Who will take care of the dog when you leave? If we got a dog today and it lived 15 years, then I'd be 63 when it died." It has no affect.

I've been tempted to suggest we get a 12 year old dog and just accept that paying the vet bills associated with an older pet is better than signing up for a new pup.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Older dogs need love and homes too. Do it!

[scottmandue]

Yes and yes...

I also loves dogs and cats... we currently have three cats (one cat too many)

Wife did have a dog so she does knows what is involved... and wants a dog BAD!!!

Downside=
We have three cats.
We live on the second floor.
We have three cats.
Renter in front house has big dumb very friendly dog, probably not a problem but there it is.
We have three cats.
She wants a toy dog (had a Yorkie and wants another) I want a real dog... I have offered to compromise and get a Corgi (how can you not love a Corgi?) To be honest her Yorkie was very smart/sweet/well behaved and fun to be around... but if you are going to get a dog that size... uh... why not just get a cat? Did I mention we have three cats?

[Rusty Heap]

Rupert was the best dog, seriously, that I've ever owned in 40 years of CONTINUOUS dog ownership.


We had to put him down this last March 2012 at the age of 15.

While heart broken and suffering empty house syndrome for months after, suddenly you have time for weekend get-aways, or week long vacations without spending $300-400 at the Kennel, or you don't have to rush home after work...........or give baths after they find something dead to roll in or puke on your carpet.

So yes there is benifits of no dog, will we get one again some day, definately.

But right now it's nice not being tied down.

[Bill Douglas]

Here's a game plan. Make a deal with your daughter that SHE can get a dog if she takes it to puppy school and gets all the obedience certificates. AND it is her who walks the dog twice a day and picks up the poops.



Rooney recommends a Border Terrier, plus having a Border will also deal with the rat problem you have.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

Here's a game plan. Make a deal with your daughter that SHE can get a dog if she takes it to puppy school and gets all the obedience certificates. AND it is her who walks the dog twice a day and picks up the poops.

My wife made the same deal with her daughter... senior year of high school came around daughter became too busy to take care of the dog...

Fortunately friends of the family loved that little dog and adopted it.

As has been said a dog is a big responsibility AND a lot of work... not sure it is fair to the dog to test a child to see if they are reasonable enough to take on the job.

[Rusty Heap]

Verses..........