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AIBU?

to even THINK about getting a dog or cat?

78 replies

LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary · 04/08/2015 23:15

Hello,

I live alone in a fairly spacious 2 bed flat in a quiet cul-de-sac with a shared garden.

I work long hours - typically out of the house 11+ hrs 5 days a week. I stay in most of the time evenings and weekends and don't travel much. I am not in the market for a DP or DCs!

Am I bonkers for thinking I could have a cat or small dog? I just want something to love and the goldfish aren't cutting it! (Neither did my hamster or guinea pigs quite fill the gap as they're not very responsive - they don't "love you back").

I don't want to be unfair to an animal but OTOH surely there must be some rescue cat which would be a good fit for me? I have a craving for a small dog but work won't let me bring it in so I think that might be out of the question....

My DM says I'm bonkers but MN jury - your collective wisdom please...?

Thank you.

OP posts:

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Costacoffeeplease · 04/08/2015 23:21

Yes, bonkers, sorry

MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday · 04/08/2015 23:22

A dog ..no.. you not home anywhere near enough to give a dog a happy life, even if you employed a dog walker he/she would be lonely.

A cat.. defo :) I wouldn't suggest a kitten as they need company when young but a dear old rescue cat.. something middle aged, would be ideal. I'm out at work all day and my cats spend the entire day asleep on my bed, or in the garden if it's sunny... then we have cuddles in the evening.

Would you consider a pair (as in a pair of cats that have always been together)? Rescues get in old ones whose owners are going into care homes etc. Then they'd have each other, tho to be fair my 3 ignore each other anyway!

A cat.. especially a mature one, would be perfect for you... and there are so many needing homes :)

whatsinthename · 04/08/2015 23:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ThisFenceIsComfy · 04/08/2015 23:26

A cat will be fine! Yes you are out a lot in the day but they can go out if you get them a cat flap. They aren't as needy as dogs. They will be happy with evening play and cuddles.

PlateGirl · 04/08/2015 23:30

Cats are so low maintainence, I'm sure a cat would be fine. I'd go for an older rescue one and book some time off when you get it. Take advice on whether to let it out to begin with or not.

Good luck.

LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary · 04/08/2015 23:31

Thanks guys! (Inc Costa!) I will though give serious consideration to a rescue cat then - had a few when growing up and loved them to bits. Yes I'd take a pair.

Perhaps I could alert my local homing ppl and see what they say and maybe they could ring me when the right cat(s) come(s) along.

I wonder if I could get maternity leave from work til they bed in! :-)

OP posts:

tomatodizzymum · 04/08/2015 23:33

I'd say a cat but the right kind of cat, one of my cats loves being outside (I barely see her) and then loves to snuggle up in the evening. I'd say only get a kitten if you have a couple of weeks off to get it used to the flat/you. You might find an older cat will be better and not so bothered about being left, but it will also be socialised. A kitten that is left all day may become a little wild and not much of a companion. I'd also say, get two cats, they can keep each other company during the day.

MistressMia · 04/08/2015 23:37

There's a pedigree pair on here who need to be re-homed together:

www.facebook.com/pages/The-ARC-the-ashmore-rescue-for-cats/610309825673191

They also have whole load of mogs & will re-home anywhere in the country.

Smaller rescues are often more flexible re long work hours etc

ToGrapefruit · 04/08/2015 23:39

Agree with the other posters about an older cat. I got an old, beautiful, amazing ginger cat a few years ago. At the time I was living in a flat, in a cul de sac, shared outside etc- very like you! He lit up my life, he was so lovely. I only had him for a less than 2 years, as he was old when he came to me, and died aged about 17. He used to explore outside, sit in the sun, sleep for about 20 hours a day, and made me so happy!

Good luck OP!

DopeyDawg · 04/08/2015 23:44

Grapefruit - how lovely!

You and your old ginger cat, lighting up each others lives.

What a lovely end to his life.x

ToGrapefruit · 04/08/2015 23:55

Ah, thank you
This was him!

to even THINK about getting a dog or cat?

pilates · 04/08/2015 23:59

Yes to a cat.

Butterflywings168 · 05/08/2015 00:11

Get a cat I am in similar circs although don't work quite so many hours.
I rescued Madame ButterflyCat in May. She is currently curled up next to me on the sofa am so glad I got her.
She's 8yo, spends most of her time asleep on said sofa or me tbh although does wander in the garden, and will play with toys. She's fine to be left alone for a few hours/ a day. I got her from Cats Protection - they wouldn't have rehomed a kitten/ young cat with me, as pp said, but were fine with a middle-aged lady Go for it.

Welshmaenad · 05/08/2015 00:14

YYYYYYYY to an older rescue cat!!

When I was living with my grandad as his carer (severe dementia) I got so lonely in the evenings as he went t bed at 7.30 and our house was quite remote. So I went to cats protection and asked them to team me up with a cat that was overlooked or really in need of love. They introduced me to Spot, an old black and white chap whose owner had to go into a home. He was so miserable in kennels that he wouldn't come out of his bed and was dismissed by potential adopters as grumpy but when they opened up his cage and I started fussing him he was so happy he drooled all over my hand.

He became my devoted little pal and followed me from room to room. He slept on my bed and patted my face to wake me when my alarm went off. When I was at work he liked to snooze with my grandad and all the daytime carers fell in love with him. He was so devoted and loving, like he was thanking me every day for giving him another chance.

After my grandad died he came with me to live with now-DH, tolerated his resident cat, tolerated the arrival of DD and loved me fiercely till he passed away in his sleep of unknown but advanced age. He was an absolute stunner of a cat.

Go. Go tomorrow. You won't regret it.

ThisIsClemFandango · 05/08/2015 00:15

A cat could work. They are low maintenance and nowhere near as clingy or socially dependant as dogs but they also enjoy a cuddle and affection. They are also some rescue cats that need a home where they would need to be kept as indoor cats sometimes for health reasons, so a flat without a cat flap wouldn't be an issue.

Welshmaenad · 05/08/2015 00:17

This is him. Dear funny old face, I miss him dreadfully.

to even THINK about getting a dog or cat?

Happfeet2911 · 05/08/2015 00:26

Its a no brainer, adopt a sweet little unloved kitten! I would do but I am inbetween houses! X

SassyPumpkins · 05/08/2015 00:33

A dog would destroy your place from sheer boredom, they are pack animals and require more time than you could give during your work days, never mind needing to go out to relieve themselves more often than once in an 11 hr period, so your floors or carpets would be ruined.
Kittens, too would be out, as they need a good deal of attention too, but a grown cat could be a good fit for you if you are in most of the time when not working. I would go so far as to suggest getting 2 cats to give them company for each other. I'm assuming they would be indoor cats, yes? If so, you need to make sure there is enough stimulus in the house to keep them active, including several scratch posts so they don't destroy furniture and doorways. I'd highly recommend getting in touch with the folks at the cats protection league first and discuss things with them, I cannot recommend them highly enough when we needed help rescuing a feral and domesticating her. The info and assistance they provided was incredible! They were able to domesticate the kittens (the SSPCA wanted to put mother and kittens down when we called asking for help catching them, they said they weren't worth trying to save ????). The lady from TCPL also offered to provide us with food because we were willing to adopt the feral. But contact them, tell them your situation, be honest and see what they suggest. Even if you don't adopt one of their cats or they don't have a suitable one, the info they give you is likely to be very helpful and will point you in the right direction on other rescue facilities that might have cats that fit your circumstances. Good luck, I do hope you find a furry.

Adarajames · 05/08/2015 00:44

Dog is a definite no, but as others say, a pair of older cats would be perfect, company for each other whilst you're out, but affection and company for you at home, and older pairs, especially of black cats, are always harder to home, so even if the larger rescues don't think you're suitable, a smaller local one would be more flexible. If you can give idea of where you are, some of us might be able to suggest local rescues

LeftMyRidingCropInTheMortuary · 05/08/2015 01:38

Thanks guys! What lovely stories! I feel like that Michael Buble song "I just haven't met you yet". I love my kitkat(s) already! Cant sleep thinking about them in a cattery waiting for me!!! I'm in Edinburgh btw. Mummy's coming!!

OP posts:

SmillasSenseOfSnow · 05/08/2015 02:15

My family had a couple of older cats from a rescue when I was a teenager. One was a big brute of a ginger tabby who took a giant shine to me shortly before popping his clogs due to some kind of stroke after my stepdad's new dog cornered him in a room and barked at him. He only seemed to be about 7 or so but he obviously had health problems.

These older cat stories are making me tear up a bit. I've had loads of cats both before and since him, but I loved the bones of that boy for the way he opened up. I'll never forget him.

Ericaequites · 05/08/2015 02:34

Two older cats who were brought up together and needle reforming would be ideal. They could keep each other company while you are out, and would be happy with a litter box if not used to going out. Locally, some pound will give discounts on pairs who need to stay together, as they are harder to place. You could leave cruchies and water down all day, and serve wet food when home.
I live just south of Boston in the States. If I had a cat flap without the special collars, skunks would be in the kitchen, eating Meow Mix

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Kitella · 05/08/2015 02:59

Yes, agree with the older cat. We took on an 8 year old rescue cat earlier this year. Term time I'm at work, but am at home at the moment. Cat doesn't want to know any of us during the day time, but she loves her evening cuddles. We got our cat from blue cross and they didn't mind that I was out for long hours - they just matched us with a cat that was used to being left!

Couldn't be without my cat now. I'm utterly in love and she rules the roost here .

Ericaequites · 05/08/2015 04:51

Need rehoming, I meant! Darn iPad autocorrect!

Totality22 · 05/08/2015 06:16

YY to rehoming a suitable cat. No to a dog or

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