Don’t get a dog

I'm with you there. Rescue cat, first four years he was lovely, last four years became really clingy, damaging furniture etc, kept changing food, wouldn't use a litter tray and various other personality changes.

He put me off so much, I've vowed to never have another pet after having them for decades with no problems.

Shame though, I've seen a rescue cat on local FB who is being fostered and needs a home, would love it to be me but just not worth the risk or the massive expense.

Oh, and yes, obviously they need walking, but not all breeds are the same. If you’re going to get a husky bred for marathon treks across Alaska, you absolutely need to be prepared to go for long walks every day. My little boy needs 30-60 minutes according to the Kennel Club, and although he loves his runs, he’s also very happy with some gentle pottering around sniffing the world and weeing on all the weeds. Two 15 minute walks is manageable for me, even on days when I am feeling crap.

A dog is a huge financial and practical commitment for 15 years. Puppies are horrible with the chewing and the biting but once that’s over: oh lord, the love and the joy they bring, especially to the lonely and troubled (including teenagers). Even the pain of losing them is worth it, it’s the price of love.

Cost-wise, dont get a dog that requires professional grooming or fancy food. Get a Labrador!

We love our dog but this will be it pet-wise. We currently have 2 cats, they are the last cats i ever want to own, when Guinea Pig dies, thats it.

So much work and expense and extra things to consider day to day. I would not change our beautiful British Bully for the world- the love, peace and feeling of family he brings is amazing. BUT, yea, he's the last pet through our doors.

Agreed. Especially if it turns out they have issues related to their breed (resource guarding/aggression) and you have to then spend the next 10 years (so far) trying to manage the behaviour

Sorry but this isn’t me. I’ve had cats in the past. Then I got a dog. I far, far prefer dogs.

It’s almost a year since I got my first dog, an 8yo rescue. It has been way more complicated and expensive than I anticipated. I do have insurance and a plan at the vets, which both help a bit. But it turns out he has arthritis and needs to be on long term pain meds. He was ill a couple of weeks ago, needing blood tests and a scan: £600. Today’s job is to attempt to claim at least some of that back from the insurers.

But I love him. And there is nothing that makes me happier than seeing him run across the fields, for the sheer pleasure of it. He wasn’t happy in his previous home, but he is completely happy now, and that is worth everything.

Also, he was fully house trained when I got him, we walk on the farm where I live, so I hardly ever have to deal with his poo and never with his wee.

Also-controversial re insurance.

We don't have it.

We can afford if something its needed but it is a gamble and DH is a gambler.
FWIW I am not.

Spoke to my vet about it and he said he doesn't believe in it either.
He said ppl get in when dogs are pups.
It goes up and up and ppl tend to give it up just when the dogs will need it as they age. Like anything it is a business.

*our abandoned rescue cat has cost us thousands in vet fees so am well aware of the pitfalls... Just saying if you can't get insurance you could just put money aside so you have it when needed.

So this is not an insurance debate but just saying it doesn't have to be a deal breaker for older dogs.

It's really sad. It's yet another thing that has been added to the "luxury" list (i.e the list of things that make life happier). Poor people - don't bother. Along with so many other things.

@Wexone Ah, my mistake sorry. I presumed you were in the UK.
I think it used to be harder to get older dogs insured in the UK but now it's not difficult at all. I know older dogs in rescue often get overlooked because of their age and just wanted to let people know that if insurance worries are holding anybody back, then they needn't.

They also smell terribly and picking up dog poo is 🤮 (although absolutely necessary! hate people who don’t)

I haven't read the whole thread so it has probably already been mentioned. Don't get a dog if you can't be bothered to take it for a proper walk every day. There's a family near me who have a husky type dog which gets dragged up and down the cul de sac by a child, I've never seen it being taken out for a proper walk by an adult. Lack of exercise and boredom causes bad behaviour and aggression particularly with 'working' breeds.

I have had dogs my whole life- it was still a shock when my 15 year old boy died and I got a puppy.

It was exhausting. I felt like I didn't remember how hard it was at all.
She is now 5 and I couldn't be without her.

All my DC have left home and she is snuggling by my side as I write this.
Worth it if you can put in the hard graft early days-because it is hard!

Mine is insured too. Insurances don't cover dental for the most part, because it's like a bottomless pit. Or at least, that's true in my area.

I dont know what kind of husband you have, but mine doesn't wee and poo all over the floor!

Maybe think about getting an older dog from a rescue centre. Two years ago we got a beautiful rescue dog and never once gave I regretted him. He was two when we got him, fully house trained and although excitable, he's full of love and fun. Walking him gets me and OH out and about because it has to be done. Worth thinking about.

To be fair.. you can say most of this about getting a husband.. or having kids. 👦

We are in Ireland so tried all that is avaliable here. maybe different in UK.. my sis also works in insurance and tried for me. vets told me not to bother and instead save 100e a month. they also allow payment plans thank god

Mine is insured, won't be without it but there is an excess. It very rare it goes over the £100 excess. Plus vaccination and health check was £50 this week, which really isn't bad at all.

What insurance companies did you try?

Agree with a lot of previous posters here. We have a 3 year old Spaniel breed, the puppy stage was really difficult and seemed to last forever. Didn't get proper sleep for months as he seemed to take an age to toilet train so I was up in the night several times to let him out. My hands were in bits because they were his favourite chew toy until he had his adult teeth. He followed me everywhere and not my partner because I was the one WFH and with him the majority of the time and his training went out the window when he hit 'teenage years' and started to push the boundaries. He's also cost me hundreds in vets fees for eating things he shouldn't.

But I knew it was going to be like this when we got him, I didn't expect him to be perfect in a matter of weeks like a lot of people seem to think their puppies should be. We put the effort in to training and both my partner and I were consistent with how we taught him. We introduced him to different situations, dogs, children etc so he was well socialised. He's now a great dog and is generally good as gold but he still has his moments and quirks. Dogs are really worth it but you have to put in the effort and I think a lot of people are don't realise that or just can't be bothered.

Thanks for reminding me why I won't get a dog though I love dogs! I just want someone to be super happy to see me. Not a good enough reason, I guess.

By housecat, you mean an indoor cat?
I have two and they are not much work. I do about one extra mop a week, and have to clean out the cat toilets. That's about it. Short trips away don't even require finding someone to look after the cat fulltime; if it's no more than a couple of nights, I just ask a friend to change food/water and scoop poop from the toilets. Pretty easy.

I've had dogs before and loved it, and them, but at this stage of my life with young children I just wouldn't be able to cope with any additional noise and mess. Luckily I have the ideal pet which is a cat that visits sometimes, wraps itself round my legs, then goes away again

The only reason I’ve not agreed to have another dog is due to the absolute heartbreak of losing them 💔 just can’t go through that again.

Agree with your post though, OP. So many people don’t give a dog the life it deserves as they didn’t realise the hard work and responsibility it takes to own one, especially from a pup.

I am now that mad lady who normally says hello to your dog first and gives them a fuss (if allowed) just to get my dog fix!