Don’t get a dog

Here's my Dutchie anyway, if we are shhowing our gorgeous pups.

OOO! Dave is a stunner. Mal? I have a Dutchie. Will never be without one again.

Adorable but forever toddlers

God, yes. I discovered late in life that I love dogs, much to my surprise. I'd never had a dog and I'd always been a cat person until DH persuaded me that we needed a dog as he grew up with them.

Anyway, we are now on our fourth dog, always the same breed, an English springer spaniel. We've always had two at the same time. After lots of years there's just one left now, a dog who for some reason chose me as his person, despite me insisting I'm really a cat person. The dog wasn't having any of that 'cat person' nonsense, he bonded with me whether I wanted it or not.

I insist I'm still not so deep down a cat person, but this dog chose to bond to me, he's my boy. He will be our last dog as I can't do this again, I love him so much. This dog, currently asleep at my feet, will utterly break my heart in the next few years and I can't put myself through it again.

They are truly special creatures, and taking all OP's words into account, they are totally worth the effort and the expense.

Ours is the absolute bestest boy 🥰

I felt exhausted reading that!
Try using punctuation, new paragraphs, full stops, and capital letter when needed.
👍

42 dogs? ;)

I say this to friends frequently who talk in passing of getting a dog now they have kids. It’s really not as simple as they think it is. I love my dogs but they are a big commitment that many people just don’t seem to understand.

I'm very lucky to be able to wfh if i did ever need to but I have 4 children including 2 teens and I'm decidedly at home until high-school with my youngest I'm very fortunate and by then she will be an old lady and I'd be wfh and there would be an older child around and we are hoping my mil will move in our annex in the future and they can be golden girls together 🤣

@Manyandyoucanwalkover Don’t disagree with anything you’ve written. But my god, do they fill your heart with such an unbridled joy and the purest love! They make every sleepless night, chewed up bit of clothing or furniture, miserable muddy walk in the rain, toilet accident that has to be cleaned up at 5.30 am and astronomical vet bill for something minor worth it and then some.

I can truly say getting my first dog (Fiona) 7 years ago opened my heart to a kind of love and openness that I’d never allowed myself to feel before. Equally the loss of my second dog Logan 2 years ago broke me in a way I’ve never experienced before or since, including the deaths of grandparents, uncles etc.

I’m blessed to have 3 at the moment and, whilst its hard work at times (especially with the latest rescue Dave who is only just 1 and still finding his feet since we adopted him in October), I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.

L-R: Fiona, Dave & Stanley, who’s lust for life is infectious and who make me feel like the most important person in the whole world every time I reenter a room!

Cats are a breeze compared to dogs!

@Fromthebirdsnest Aw Winnie sounds like a lucky dog! ❤️
Do you have no plans to work though as your little one gets older?
That's what I think is tricky with dogs; it's a very long-term commitment.

strawberriesarenot I'm so sorry for your loss x
Nothing compares to the love of a dog , their unswerving devotion and just pure joy of being but saying goodbye is the hardest thing.

I agree 100% I'm at home with my 3 year old amd waited for my little winnie until I knew I was home enough and also have holiday sitters for her , she can be spoiled at nanny's house or if we are in the UK for a weekend it's dog freindly , I hate kennels or strangers as dog sitters

What breaks my heart is when people have a dog but are out of the house most of the day. So incredibly unfair 😞

Ours settled very quickly, the only issue is if we go away levels as another layer of costs. He’s a joy in the house, sits at my feet as I work from home, can’t imagine life without him now.

My darling girl did all those things, and the ĺast of them today .
Would trade the next ten years of my life to have her back again .

That's 42

I have a miniture daushaund she's nearly 1 she's a joy , doesn't bark is more tolerant and loveing towards my toddler than you could expect from a childcare proffesional she's perfect but I agree her vet subscription for injections and check ups, her insurance that I have the highest possible due to possible back problems etc and her butternut box for food , plus special winter coats , groomer as she's long hair is monthly and almost as much as a hair dresser , we haven't done puppy training as we have actually been blessed with an angel that needed very little training and by 3 months was better behaved than my children 🤣 she does do a wee at night on a puppy pad but neither myself or her want to go out in the cold at night but without resources getting a dog or having a baby is the most irresponsible thing you can do x

They follow you around all the time and get right under your feet. They bark at the postman and anyone walking past the house. Some get jealous if you stop to fuss other dogs in the park and sometimes gob off at little fluffy dogs.
They eat your shoes and never feel guilty.
They sigh and sulk. Especially if your legs are in the way and they can't sit on your brand new heated throw you got for Mother's Day.
They mither the rabbits but they are a bit confused by the New Guinea pigs and just ignore them.

They make you miss them as soon as you leave the house. Don't get a dog it's too emoticonal!

This is me.
I hate going out in the rain

So basically don't get a pet if you can't be arsed to look after them, or if you expect them to be free to keep

YANBU and I say that as an owner of two gorgeous rescue dogs.

They're worth every penny and every minute spent walking round a cold wet park, in gale force winds but you have to be prepared for everything you've said in your OP, plus the cost of pet insurance.

So so true.
Very much like children. They are hard work especially in the early days, curtail your freedom, ruin your house and your bank balance, make you responsible, need fresh air at least 2 hours a day, lots of patience, teaching, cuddling, washing and feeding.

They will break your heart but bring you joy.