And so it begins (lockdown puppies)

Do it!

YANBU. I get your point. But also, there have been people who have been told they can work from home forever, and this may not now be the case.

I really doubt there are many people who have been told that they can work from home 'forever'

I agree with you. Although there is maybe a small chance that they have enough plans for 'normal times' and are arranging extra attention for resettling for a couple of weeks....

Before lockdown my dog was happy being left for 3 hours now and then, but I will build back up to this gradually if I ever need to.

Would wind me up too.

I imagine lots will end up having to be rehomed or taken to shelters like so many who started as Christmas gifts or weren’t wanted when children came along.

Although to be fair I’m retired and would like a dog, but I’m a bit wary about being tied if I want to go away.
So I would love to have part ownership of a dog, taking it for walks having it around the house for companionship, but without the food costs vets bills etc.
So anyone living in the Midlands wanting a free dog walker pm me .

I'm a teacher, I've been in school full-time throughout as I work in a special school. We got a dog last summer because my DH will only be back in the office for one or two days a week, and even that won't be til next year so it's given the dog plenty of time to settle in. We'll pay a dog walker on those days.

I do agree that some people are twats when it comes to animal ownership but I think it's unfair to jump to conclusions about individuals. At least they're looking for dog walkers rather than trying to rehome the dog.

Give over.

@LimitIsUp my oh has been told that.

Yanbu

I've seen the opposite where people who are shielding or self isolating are so embarrassed to need help walking their dogs and offer payment. Luckily there's lots of offers of help from people who want company for their dog or want the novelty of walking a dog daily for 2 weeks. Yes

I think you're making a bit of a leap from them asking if anyone wants to walk their dog (like borrow my doggy) to assuming they have no plan or intention to properly care for their dog. They may well intend to get a dog walker, but are just testing the water about a neighbour offering the odd walk.

We can't have a dog as DH refuses. I'd love to be able to borrow a dog for walks.

Unless they are a teacher or someone who has been on furlough, why are they going back to work anyway? Which part of 'work from home if you can' is difficult for their employer to understand?

Though that is just when they have the issue, not if, and they should not have had a dog if it could not be cared for when they returned to a physical office.

YANBU. People don't factor in the accumulated costs of owning a dog. Daycare and dog walkers are part of the cost for lots of people, if people buy dogs before considering this then expect free care from friends, then it's ridiculous.

I had someone who kept asking if I could look after her dog 1-2 times a week as she clearly didn't consider the cost, eventually I started refusing as it was getting cheeky.

Just post a list for of ads for local paid for dog walking services. I'm assuming these same people aren't going to post requests for people to entertain their pre school children for free - they'd find a nursery/childminder. The need to find paid care for their 'fur babies ' too!

I don't get the problem with it being a teacher. If they've worked remotely since Christmas and are now going into school, what's the problem?

What I see is how long can I leave my dog and would my dog be ok to be left for 12 hours. It really gets me. We always wanted a dog but waited until I retired to get one.

Have they specifically said they're not going to pay the person walking the dog? To me, looking for a dog walker is part of responsible ownership. It's making sure the dog has someone coming in to take it for exercise and give it some company while the owner is at work, much better than it being alone for 6+ hours.

I really doubt there are many people who have been told that they can work from home 'forever'

DH employer has just worked out a pay offer that includes two days of home working each week for every employee and more by request, DH is going to be asking for one day in the office and four at home.

There are probably a lot of people who have been told they can WFH more - but far fewer who have been told 'Yes you can WFH full time', have bought a puppy on the strength of that, only for their employer to perform a complete u-turn before restrictions have even been lifted.

The amount of 7-9 month old puppies looking for their 'forever homes' local to me is so depressing. Poor little puppies have done nothing wrong, but now schools are back they've served thier purpose so off they go. The worst was a 4 month old puppy, apparently they didn't have the time anymore, only two months after buying it!!

The problem is that they clearly haven't factored in how to care for their new puppy when they go back.