I Might Get a Dog Pros:
I would love the companionship a dog provides.
I would love to have a dog to run and walk with every day.
I would love to take Roulette to the dog park on the beach.
I would love to come home after work and have Roulette there to welcome me.
I would love to watch movies on demand with my dog hanging out nearby.
I would love to meet other people by walking Roulette everyday through my neighborhood and at the beach.
I would love to have a dog that is older and already trained. Roulette is 3 years old and completely trained.
I Might Get a Dog Cons:
Who will walk the dog when I have to work eight to ten hours per shift?
I can hire a dog walker, but what about the cost? How do I find one I trust?
I will be working more nights again, soon. Will I be so exhausted when I get home that I will dread taking the dog out?
I sometimes wonder how well I am doing taking care of myself these days. How well will I take care of a dog AND myself? Will it all be too much?
I only had dogs when I was a young kid. I am far more used to the ease of caring for fat cats as an adult (and yes, a Maine Coon is the coolest kind of cat!).
Yeah, But…
Roulette seems to be a really sweet girl, no matter that Dennis called her a “lazy ass” for retiring from the show circuit at age three. Would that we could all retire that young, right Dennis? ๐
WHAT TO DO?
I guess I am getting cold feet. Sort of….
Comments
17 responses to “I Might Get a Dog, Part II”
Is there someone you could share her with? My mom has a theory that she’d like about 60% of a dog… but, that the dog could have a second home with someone, someplace to go when she travels or has to work late etc…
Would the person you are getting her from act like the doggy co-parent?
GREAT idea. The people from whom I would get Roulette are in Texas, so not an option. But, I am thinking about this….
I am pro-dog…they are therapeutic and great company. Caring for them fits into your routine with a little time. I think you will love it.
Dog share = bad idea.
The main reason dogs misbehave is inconsistency. Unless both owners are very religious in being consistent in schedule, training enforcement, reinforcement schedules… you are looking at trouble. Dogs do best in a house hold with a very consistent schedule.
Lack of consistency can result in breaking house training, chewing on unacceptable items, property destruction, potential digestive problems…..
With longer shifts looming, I think you need to think hard about this and decide what is best for the dog. To hell with what is best for you… what is best for the dog.
If more people thought about what is best for the animal then we would not need the ASPCA and the Animal Cops. This is no reflection or implication of you and your possible life with a dog.
Sorry RG I am so passionate about the quality of life for the dog.
I am, however, tremendously glad you are thinking hard about it and are discussing it.
C
I’m glad you’re looking at things carefully. Can I suggest a couple of things?
Many rescue groups are looking for foster parents, people who will take a dog temporarily until it finds a forever home. I have fostered mother cats and kittens, and also puppies of all ages. It’s a wonderful way to test drive pet ownership. I decided after fostering that I am not cut out to be a dog owner.
Many rescue groups and shelters need “dog walkers”, people who come and walk their dogs for them, giving the doggies a chance to socialize. And I guess it would also give the dog walkers a chance to socialize, since dogs are natural ice breakers. Maybe this is something that you could look for if you would like to “get out there” and meet people. Added benefit: you’re showing off dogs who are available for adoption.
There is a certain breed of dog that can tolerate long stretches of time alone and doesn’t need a lot of walking. (It’s called a cat.)
Seriously though, investigate different breeds of dogs. This particular dog may not be the one for you. For example, Italian greyhounds — “Iggies” — are supposedly couch potatoes and don’t need a lot of walking (although because they are sight hounds, then can never be let off a leash.) They can be litter pan trained, so rainy days you can skip walks. And when I say they’re couch potatoes, they really want to curl right up next to their humans, even ON them (warmth!) They’re a very cat-like breed.
Hope this helps a bit. Any doggie would be lucky to have you.
I thought the same as you (although I work an office job from 9 to 5) about the responsibilities of a dog and whilst I had a lot of the same ‘what if’s’ that you have I went ahead and arranged to get a dog (4 years old). It was the best decision i ever made. Whilst you work night shifts, you will be able to spend great portions of your day with Roulette which is all quality time and the dog will love you for it.
As long as you have a large enough inside area and an outside area for the dog to play in then I say go for it.
I got a neglected and abused dog from the pound and whilst at first she was quite clingy… I quickly found out that if you give a dog 2-3 hours of quality attention they will feel secure, loved and definately not lonely.
Getting another dog (i had one when I was younger) was one of the best decisions I have made – i enjoy the companionship and find that even after the most gruelling day in the office… walking her is time to chill out and relax and i’ve found that instead of feeling obligated it’s something i now love doing.
I
If you really want to be able to run with your dog, will a Boston Terrier be big enough to keep up? I don’t know much about them as I am a big dog fan. We have an English Mastiff who loves walks, but is a total couch potato when you’re not walking her. She is able to go for 9 or 10 hours alone, sometimes even longer, tho it’s rare that she is left for longer. The other thing to consider is that dogs are pack animals and really need social interaction with their human or another pet. Our dog is almost a cat in the amount of people contact she needs.. Also, at least in the Chicago area rental market, having a dog will SEVERELY limit your housing options.
Couple of things:
1) Bostons can be litter pan trained just like italian greyhound
2) if someone walks your dog at 8 or 9pm while you are on your night shift you would not need to take the dog out again unless she is actively asking you to go out
3) i still get a discount at my store…
4) Knitgirl: housing options at the beach are VERY dog friendly, especially when the dog is under 25 lbs.
I know I am partial, but I don’t think you would be coming back to the idea of a dog if you didn’t really want one. Cold feet or not, you have one of the best options for getting one and one of the best 24 hour a day dog resources (me!). Keep thinking about it. I agree with Adearone, getting a dog will fit into your lifestyle…
“Yeah but…”
Sounds to me like you’ve made up your mind. You know what you want ๐
I like that co ownership idea. Very smart.
I don’t think we’ll ever be pet people. Pet dander messes with our allergies.
RG, c’mon. It’s no different than raising a kid. Accept it’s cheaper, and dog’s love you know matter what, and they don’t argue, and you are a hero, they miss you more than anything in the world, no fighting, they eat everything on their plates, and. it’s easier to find a dog sitter than it is a kid sitter, and………..
Anyway, to be serious. My dog has always had a job. He’s worked all his life. Animals have a sense of purpose, so they need a reason to live. Dog’s can simply live for the fact of you coming home, or they can actually have a physical duty. That’s the beauty of dogs. The dog you picked out sounds like a lazy ass so she will probably be happy with a job as a companion. My old man is now retired, but he’s not as happy as he was when he was working. He’s just so old now. He’s done a great job for me and my family. And I want him to be as comfortable as possible in his old age. Good luck on your decision. ๐
I need a few days to really think this over. I really want Roulette. But I want to do right by the girl. UW–Why do you always have the last (best) word? Meanwhile, I am working on an unrelated post to see if I even know how to write these days.
Remember when your kids were babies? You loved them, but had to carry around juice, snacks, and a place to put their poop? You had to rush home to attend to their every need? You did it, because you loved them, but now they are old enough to take care of their own juice/snack/poop. A dog never outgrows those needs. Remember that RG.
yea but a dog probably won’t live til it’s eighteen either.
I noticed that all of your pros were definitive statements and all of your cons were questions. I think your mind is made up and you wonder about the things all dog mommies think about. You’ll figure it out. Just take her!!!
We’ve had a variety of little dogs (one 4lb, two 10lb) and for an apartment I’d say go small. They then get their exercise just running around inside, and if you have a private patio you can get a special little doggie door so they can go outside on their own and nobody can get in. But they do need to be seen, which would cut down on your trips home. And out here too many rentals don’t take dogs.