Don’t get a dog

Don't be fooled by those big,sad eyes;she's a nutcase.

What a beauty @WickedSerious. Such a pretty face and soulful eyes.

What a beautiful dog @WickedSerious! Gorgeous colouring. Way to destroy the whole point of the thread! 😂

I really should look into volunteering as a dog walker.

Here's a photo of mine.

I cam think of some pretty horrible people who are someone's sons and daughters who are locked up in prison now, who haven't benefitted society at all.

In fact they are a drain.

@Lifeomars · Today 13:10

I would never ever get a dog, it is almost the same commitment as having a child of course a dog does not grow up and hopefully leave home. I would hate to have to go out every single day come rain, snow, wind, hail or heat to walk them because of course you must do this for them. I would puke when I had to pick up the poo because of course you must do that for the sake of other people.

I don't even like dogs very much even though my family has one when I was growing up, I hated the fur, that "doggy" smell, and the barking. She was a very nice dog but I learnt at an early age that dogs were not for me. I do like and have had cats but now I am pet free and it's good. No expense, no worry about their health and well being.

A lot of my family and friends have pets and I do like spending time with them and hearing about their antics but I know myself and I know that I do not want a pet. I am not heartless, I abhor and detest cruelty to animals and I think that for many people having a pet truly enhances their lives but it is not for me.

100% this! ^ We have a cat - almost 17 - and have had cats for 25 years. Our last cat died 3-4 years ago, and when the one we have left is gone we will have no more. No more pets - no way. We love our kitty, but she is old and clingy and a bit toddler-like now, and we now feel restricted by her. Never used to feel this way about our cats, but we have done this past couple of years.

It will cost a fortune to put her in a 'cat kennel' if we want to go away for 2-3 weeks, as the prices have tripled since around 2018, and we can't do it anyway, as it would just be cruel to do it. Since our last cat died she has been very needy and clingy and she would react very badly to being farmed out to a cat hotel for some weeks. A cat sitter is an idea, but again, our cat would be angsty and worried and anxious and upset, (with a stranger in the house,) and again, it would cost £££.

I know dogs make good companions for people, and there are some very sweet and friendly, well-behaved dogs, but I am not even a billionth of a percent tempted to get one. Never have been, even though my family had dogs when I was a child. FAR too much of a tie, and noisy, whiny, and smelly. And despite some people saying their house doesn't smell of 'dog.' Yes it does, it really does. And with vet bills becoming farcical and horrific now, there is no way I would be forking out multiple 1000s of £££ in vet bills. Nah fuck that shit!

Id never be without one, but they’re an extra family member and all that entails.

My dog is for me and my family, I couldn’t give a fuck about anyone else, tbh.

@0sm0nthus

Of course dogs are easier than children. Dogs, since they are unable to outsmart humans, have no choice but to fawn & placate you, although the larger stronger ones may kill & eat you.

Bringing up children is important work which benefits society as a whole.
Keeping dogs is a hobby in which you partake for your personal amusement, it is of no benefit to anyone else.

Despite the negative comments you have received after this comment, I agree with you. Clearly there are a few child-free people on this thread.

It’s pretty poor of your vets to have given an injection for half a kit kit - which would have been nowhere near toxicity. I had to get the injection for mine because he’d eaten a load of dark chocolate out of the bin and my vet took ages calculating it because it’s such a horrible experience for the dog that the vets hate doing it… the previous time ( a whole chocolate orange!) he wasn’t near the toxicity level so they didn’t need to.

<dustbin lurcher>

Bringing up children is important work which benefits society as a whole.
Keeping dogs is a hobby in which you partake for your personal amusement, it is of no benefit to anyone else.

Not a dog owner, but came here to say:

Please no. The having children benefits society argument is so annoying. We don't need more people being created, that is a net negative for society. Nobody has children to benefit society, and the majority don't, we take more than we contribute.

What sanctimonious clap trap. People do not have children because they believe it is “important work that will benefit society”. They have children because THEY want to.
If anyone on here had a child “for the benefit of society” please, shout up!

I agree with a pp. dogs are easy compared to kids!!!

I avoid the vets and luckily have only been once but when we were newbies and thought she’d eaten chocolate. At the most she had half a KitKat! Cost a fortune in injection which didn’t make her vomit as planned and then charcoal which made an awful mess. Luckily, being a mongrel rescue she’s pretty hardy. 🤞🏻

Our insurance with Animal Friends has gone up to £24 pm. Our girl is 9.

Awww, hugs. 💐

That's a lot. Ours is £30. Was £23 but had gradually gone up.

Of course dogs are easier than children. Dogs, since they are unable to outsmart humans, have no choice but to fawn & placate you, although the larger stronger ones may kill & eat you.

Bringing up children is important work which benefits society as a whole.
Keeping dogs is a hobby in which you partake for your personal amusement, it is of no benefit to anyone else.

Not dogs but Shit Machines

I listened to all that advice for decades.

We got a dog 3 years ago. She has been an utter delight. We brought her home as a pup in Jan 2021. She has never pooed indoors. She has had 3 pee accidents total - all in the first 24 hours. She slept through the night from 4 months!! She is always delighted to see us. She eats everything with great gusto. She is always keen for a walk. She loves to play. She spends far more napping than I realised dogs do. You can leave a dog at home when you pop out. You can take a dog to the pub. Dogs are a joy.

Get a dog. It's so easy.

Do not have DC. They are bloody hard work. You cannot leave them at home. You cannot take them to the pub. They make huge mess. They moan. They rarely eat what they are given without complaining. They never want to go for a walk. They don't sleep for years. It's relentless.

Get a dog.

Especially don't get a dog when you can't / aren't willing to control it around other people.

I don't like your dog running up to me and sniffing my baby.

Would love a dog. I've never had one though because my lifestyle doesn't fit. I need to be in a position to be able to devote a lot of time to bringing a dog up properly. This forum has taught and warned me of much!

I have a cat companion. She's much easier to manage with my irregular hours. There's lots of gadgets like cat feeders and toys to keep her entertained whilst I'm out. Her other human slave is my DD who loves her and also looks after her when I'm out. Cats are far easier than dogs.

I'll get a small doggy companion after I've retired.

All you people posting pix of your adorable dogs are not helping at all!

Sorry for your loss, @strawberriesarenot . I lost my last dog over 4 years ago, and still miss her terribly.

I'm too old and decrepit to get another, but dogsit for friends and family from time to time, which is great.

So sorry @TheMudWasWorthIt your post made me tearful so I can only imagine how you must be feeling. She is such a beautiful dog.