really trying hard not to be so judgemental but I think they are making a huge mistake. my friends are getting a pug puppy I assume they think this is a sedentary breed and will be easy to look after, they have a 5 yr old, they both work full time demanding jobs, when they are home at weekends they are usually busy socialising, out shopping, family days out etc, and they go on holiday during all their annual leave, usually abroad (lucky things) , they are not particularly outdoorsy and sil is definately not a dog person, the bloke is a bit like a spoilt kid and wants a pug, and the little girl loves animals so she has given in and they are going to get a dog, I am seriously disturbed by this as I know they wont have the slightest worry about leaving this little thing for 8-9 hours daily probably crated or at most locked in the kitchen (they wanted to crate their cat when they moved into their new house I advised against this so they now leave it locked in a room with a litter tray)
I really cant see them spending intense amounts of time in an evening or on weekends with the dog to compensate as they already have incredibly busy lives. my friend would be happy for her dd to go to school 8-6 everyday and have the same annual leave as they do (dont get me wrong they are great parents but they dont give any thought to the fact that dd may need time off school, but should fit in with work times)
if they would advocate this for their own 5yr old child you can just imagine how involved they are likely to be with a dog, it will be in kennels 5 weeks a year while they are on holidays. (I've worked in kennels and my dog will never see the inside of one unless there is some dire emergency)
I know they will have no thought at all for what this little dog will need and are only thinking of what they want, but what can I say , it is none of my business.
They are not bad people and why shouldnt they do whatever they want, but as a dog lover I just cant get my head around this.
AIBU?
to be angry and sad at their thoughtlessness
lifeinthefastlane1 · 15/02/2014 09:54
It's hard isn't it? 
We've just had a very similar situation with friends who bought a puppy. No reason for it not to work out, wife doesn't work, kids could have walked it.
They sent it back after less than a week. 
Actually not hmm face, better so early than later, but it was just the inevitability of it all.
I did mean 5 weeks per year not in one block , I dont think they are totally heartless 
No yanbu, I am not a doggie person and I know I couldn't look after one as they are too much hard work.
The problem is now days that so many people get "Pets" without any thought or regard that they actually need looking after.
I know of a couple of people who have taken on pets on a whim. Cant cope with their basic needs so pass them on to someone else, Only to get another pet and for the same pattern to be repeated
If you decide to take on an animal the least you can do is make sure you know what you are letting yourself in for and make sure you can accommodate their needs to become a much loved part of the family.
I'm not sure what you can do with regards to your friend as I suspect that any advice will fall on deaf ears. If they have made their minds up to go ahead, as frustrating as it is, you have to let them learn by their own mistakes.
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