Why did you get a dog?

[Lovelyideas]

Just wondering as it seems to repeat lots of the bad bits of parenthood

Sorry, what?

You're right in as much as they need a lot of care and are a lot of responsibilities but there is an awful lot you get back from your dog too. Mine is my best friend. She saved/saves me from falling into a big black hole of depression and loneliness. But you are right, in may ways she is more tying than DD and she has destroyed my garden and sofa. Still wouldn't change her for the world.

But they don't talk. I've always had dogs - lots of dogs, they may be troublesome and hard work and rewarding but in a straightforward way.

And I would always say I think humans are more important than animals although I am a total animal lover. And that is why I enjoy the company of animals - it is much less complicated.

And I really love walking.

And although I am a single parent, I always end up getting quite needy animals - the kind that follow you around gazing at you. I have a little pack of cats and dogs trotting after me!

And the children making endless demands as well. I obviously adore the children, but the animals - with all their work - feel like a rest.

Because our house is mental. We have four cats, three dogs, a parrot, a rabbit and a gay rooster.

I couldn't imagine our house without a pet. I always had a dog growing up, DP loved cats. Kids have grown up with the cats and they picked the dogs out themselves (which is why we ended up with a Husky, a Golden retriever and a greyhound). The rooster we rescued because it was slated to be slaughtered (due to the fact it couldn't do its job, being gay and all!) and the parrot we minded for a friend but it grew so attached to us it couldn't settle at its original home.

Our house is a menagerie! Only here would you find a female greyhound treating two of the cats like her children, and the cats being fine with it.

Also, as much as my cats irritate me by following me into the bathroom, at least they don't irritate me and then ask me to buy them an Xbox for Christmas.

BowieFan, sounds very like my household and my feelings are very similar.

Foxyspook

As I type, I have two of the four cats trying to get in bed with me, a Husky asleep on DP and a greyhound and Golden retriever fighting over who gets to sleep in the bath.

I wouldn't change it for the world, although it is annoying when the cat decides to sleep on you and you're stuck in one position for the rest of the night.

Because they are awesome!

They are very little work compared to children, they need to be fed, exercised and cuddled... That's pretty much it! Although I'm the human that doesn't get woken up in the morning as DH is the early riser so she goes to him

We did cheat and get a rescue though, so she came fully trained and perfectly house trained as well which I guess misses out the hard work of puppies.

Many reasons.

1. Company for me when the DC are at school, DH is at work.
2. For the DC, they wanted one desperately.
3. A built-in burglar alarm. He woofs if someone walks past the house, let alone tries to get in.
4. Because I have to take him for walks every day - good exercise for me - no excuses.
5. I love dogs.

Because once trained I find them hugely calming and very loving.
It is also a good excuse to go for a long walk twice a day and teaches the DC to be responsible.
We wouldn't be without our dogs, they are our family.

Yanbu, I agree. I don't like animals though. Dh says I must have a touch of evil about me. He really wants a dog but no way

It doesn't really repeat the bad boys of parenting as pups learn much quicker than babies.

“Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one, is a life diminished.”
—Dean Koontzz^

Because I had a house and money and could have one if I wanted one. Stupid young me. I love the hairy monster so much but I should have done more research or just waited a few years.

Number one regret is the hair. If I had to chose again I would get a short haired dog, not one that looked cute on Google images

i didn't.. i have cats.

I grew up with Dogs, i love my moms dogs.. but they're messy, needy, stinky, needy, slobbery, needy, loud, needy, needy and er.. needy.

I look after them when she goes away, and by the end of the week in their company i am fucking glad to come home to my quiet, sedate cats who don't squash me when they finally deign to come for a cuddle, don't need letting in and out every five seconds, and don't bark, or insist on giving me a tongue wash, and don't wreck my home through separation anxiety if i need to go out for a few hours.. they just lay on my bed and make a warm patch.

Purely selfish reasons. I'd moved to a detached house in a new area and felt very vulnerable. My previous house was a semi and if I screamed my NDNs would hear (thankfully never had to!). I was on my own with 2 DCs. I wasn't an animal lover by any description.

As it worked out, he was a useless guard dog and was more likely to lick a burglar to death than chase him away. But he brought huge fun and love into our lives and was actually not really hard work (except when he had the runs which was a few times!). We lost him earlier this year after 13.5 years and it's like a huge hole in the family. Not quite ready to get another dog... although I have put on a stone and miss our walks.

I got nacho 4yrs ago from dogs trust when he was 4 and every day since has been filled with slobbery kisses, drooling, minging farts, him stealing my bed and old slippers every time i get a new pair he has a 6th sense for slippers 😂. But i wouldnt change him for the world. Was just me and him til ds 1 came along and they are brilliant together hes so gentle and protective of us both

Because i was on my own and lonely

i think the only thing they do that my kids do, is always want to be in the bathroom with me.

As soon as i stopped being started at by small children, i gained 2 cats who like to watch me.. i'm convinced they think i'm going to shimmy out the bathroom window when they're not looking...

My dog cost me £47.50 this week #OUCH, as he had an eye infection, he's 3. I wouldn't change him for the world though.

He sleeps on one of many beds, the kids love him so much. He's a tie, I have to walk him every day, I have to feed him and pick up his poo!! Still love him though, he's worth is and gives us unconditional love.

To talk to once my kids became teenagers and were out a lot and the second one because walkiing for pleasure was ghastly dogless.

I actually got my first dog because I was broody for dc2 but DH was on a trial for the male pill and we didn't want to bugger that up. So we got a puppy from a local rescue instead.

unmumsnet hugs for you starsandsparkles xx

I had dogs when young, & waited until I was working less hours to have one of my own, he is lovely calm & such a positive influence.