Is there any way we could get a dog?

[Lagoonablue]

I would love a dog. Had dogs at home when growing up. Trouble is we work almost full time. DHS has one day off so dog would be alone all day. Obviously we would get a dog walker but doesn't seem fair.

Also I don't want a puppy and would like a rescue dog tbh but have a 5 yr old and so would need some idea of tempremant. Ideally would like a small dog that doesn't shed ( or smell!).

Can we do this or is it unrealistic! I don't think a rescue centre would give us a dog in these circumstances woukd they?

[pigsDOfly]

Not a reputable one no, probably not. Some rescues won't rehome to a family with young children either.

A puppy would be out of the question if you both work full time but an older rescue, if it could go to doggie day care every day might work. But you'd hardly be spending any time with it if you're all out all day and then when you get home you must be busy with your DC and 'house things'.

You also have to take into consideration the amount of time dog's need from you, especially when settling into a new home. And you have to bear in mind a lot of rescue dogs come with history so might have problems to be worked on.

Obviously lots of people have dog's who work full time but I'm not sure it's ideal and growing up with dogs is very different from being the one who has to do all the caring.

[laundryeverywhere]

It wouldn't be fair to leave a dog all day, it must be upsetting if you love dogs but you really don't have time for one at present. I would look into getting a different pet for now and maybe joining a scheme where you walk a local dog like borrowmydoggy

[TrionicLettuce]

To get a doggy fix you could try volunteering to walk dogs for a local rescue. I know my local Dogs Trust is always in need of dog walkers.

There's also the Cinnamon Trust that's worth a look. They're a charity who organise "carers" to allow elderly or terminally ill people to keep their pets. One of the things they do is organise people to walk dogs for owners who are housebound.

[Lagoonablue]

Thanks for the ideas. I think I will have to wait until I retire. Unfortunately.

[pigsDOfly]

So ashamed just realised I've written dog's every time I mean't dogs