To get a rescue dog under my circumstances?

[Gamechanger12e3]

Long one but don't wanna leave anything out.

So i live on my own(own my house). Mid twenties. Work full time hours but job is flexible in terms of WFH if/when needed (like today!).

I have been seriously considering getting a rescue dog for over a year now. An older one of 5+ and a small breed. I can financially afford it.

I suppose the cons are:

1. I work full time so mon - fri there will be at least 2 days a week it will be on its own for 7 hours.
2. I'm young so i know life does change quickly in your twenties. However ive worked the same job for several years now and have a mortgage etc, so not likely to up sticks as much as anyone else. I also have no desire too.
3. Dogs are tying and it is a lifestyle change.

My reasons for wanting a dog is.

1. Companionship- lived on my own many years, would like the company. I'm happy to go for daily walks.
2. My mental health, i do suffer depression im medicated for and heard dogs can be great for mental health.
3. I feel i have a lot to offer a rescue dog in terms of love, affection, stability, nice warm home.
4. I think living in my home, with me spending 2 days a week in work for 7 hours would still be a lot better than life in a rescue kennel?

There are no kids/other animals to consider. I've also been back and fourth with this idea for well over a year. I keep reading its so 'tying' so dont do it'. Then when i really think about it, i don't ever actually go anywhere unplanned or spontaneously stay out/go places and i have no desire too. I'm away this weekend with friends, but this trip has been booked over a year. I also go on holiday with my boyfriend in august. That's been booked 8 months in advance. All my trips are the same.

What are your thoughts fellow dog lovers?

vangoghsdog well aren't you a little ray of sunshine!

My dog was found on the streets as a puppy and put into a kill shelter.

Should I have left him there because I had a five year old who has lived with dogs all her life? When we lost our last dog she was devestated. And yet we couldn't adopt another and I don't believe in shopping for dogs.

I work school hours three days a week and my lovely father who lives next door visits regularly to see his new best friend if I am out.

And yes, he has made our life perfect. He's the best dog I could wish for, loves the dc, wants for nothing, walked every day, cuddled all all evening. We have a huge garden, beach nearby,- he literally has the life of Riley.

What a heart warming tale you say...? What's wrong with it?

I am pleased I chose that route. He would be dead otherwise instead of being a much loved part of our family.

I probably would have preferred to give a home to a UK rescue, yes. But we only have two within 200 miles of us, both of whom have waiting lists as long as your arm.

And yes I had a home check, a garden check, asked about work, she met my children, asked them about how to treat a dog etc

So I think it was a fairly robust procedure

They provide back up and have been in touch regularly. They offered to help me with vet fees when he had an accident, which I declined.

I got my first two dogs from the Dogs Trust who were happy to rehome them with me as they were used to full time working owners. I now have a pack of Romanian rescues and still work full time. I come home to toys all over the place as they play. There are also at least two doggie day cares within ten miles and umpteen dog walkers in a decent radius. I take a note of the vans I see, even parked at Tesco, with dog walkers' details, and they are easily found on Instagram and Facebook.

Perhaps a couple may be happier left alone together.

A reputable rescue unfortunately won't adopt to someone working full time, often even with a day care provision.

Is the Dogs Trust not reputable then? That's where I adopted my first two from when working full time.

Hmm - also where I adopted one of my dogs from and the person who did the home visit was adamant that he should not be left alone for more than 4 hours.

@VanGogjsDog.
Nope, the only bit they feel is the now - the sad, scared and lonely part.
That's the 23 out of 24 hours, 7 days a week sad, scary and lonely part they spend in a rescue centre.
OP you will be doing a wonderful thing giving one of them a home.

I think all dogs are different.

Some dogs would be fine with a dog flap into their garden and a dog walker - beats shutting a young Alsatian in a crate for 8hrs, which one of my dog sitter mate’s clients does..

My dad does dog walking (despite some worry from his employer over his age) he has built a real rapport with all his regulars. One client was off work but kept her slot, and told dad that all week her dog would run to the door wagging her tail every time she heard his car turn in the road. If you pick a dog walker who gets on well with your dog and it’s always the same person, then as far as your dog’s concerned their bff comes by to play with them and walk them halfway through the day.

If rescue groups are too snobby, try boot sales, open markets, etc

I don't think it's a case of being snobby,more a case of them wanting to ensure that the dogs don't go from one bad home to another.
As for buying and selling dogs at markets and bootsales well that is all kinds of wrong!

I adopted my greyhounds from the RGT when I was working full-time I'd pop home in my lunch hour, they'd have hated doggy day care as just want to sleep. I'm home more now but current dogs are left for full days & dog walker comes.

Rescues are individual organisations so views on what's acceptable will vary. Some will be strict no longer than 4hrs for all dogs and others will be a yes with care plan & suitable dog. Dogs maybe in foster homes so have an idea how it will cope being left or knowledge of previous home set up.

www.oldies.org.uk/ my foster was advertised here, she was still very active & healthy but oldies get overlooked.

No, you can’t leave the animal for 7 hours. Some settled family dogs with no problems will cope reasonably well with that, though some of the brighter breeds will really struggle mentally with being alone for so long. Most rescue dogs need a great deal of time, patience and interaction to build up trust and repair often terrible beginnings.
Please wait until you have more time to give.

I mean being left for no more than 4hrs in a day, rather than a visit after 3-4hrs in an 7/8hr period which is what I & many others do.

Please dont. Rescue dogs can be very very needy. They often need to take more than they can give. The need the owner to be with them most of the time, Not a dog flap, they need your company. They have been let down once

Please do. All the dogs I look after at the shelter would love a home like yours.

Is the Dogs Trust not reputable then? That's where I adopted my first two from when working full time.

Me too! I had two dogs from the Dogs Trust! They were really great actually and one of my dogs had an old leg injury which the DT will pay for any vet treatment for that leg for the rest of his life!

I have 2 dogs. One I leave for 8 hours once a week. He has a dog flap but to be honest he happily bounces onto my bed and spends the day snoozing. However, my second dog has to come to work with me as he just can't be trusted. It's v hard to predict exactly what you are getting when you get a dog. Very much up to the individual

I was in the same situation as you so I fostered with my local rescue to see how a dog would work in my life. I had a dog friendly office though. I ended up loving it and getting my own pooch.

I fostered old dogs 10+ and they slept under my desk most of the days and had a walk twice a day

I also suffered from depression and one thing that helped me was getting to know everyone in the park - in the summer there would be loads of us. Spent hours sitting on grass with dogs.

It's an unpopular view but I don't think seven hours a day twice a week is extreme. Assuming the dog is fed and walked beforehand, is happy to be left (no separation anxiety) has stuff to occupy it when you're out and you interact when you get home, rather than sitting on the sofa and ignoring it.

A change in work circumstances means ours are sometimes left for 8 hours. Admittedly there are three of them so they do have some company, and they equally have plenty of days where one of us is home all day. They seem unconcerned by it TBH and while it's not ideal, I imagine they're happier with this arrangement than they would be in kennels.

Dog owners are so funny on MN.

“I’m accidentally pg, the dad won’t want to know. I live in a 10th floor flat and work part time on minimum wage. I have depression and anxiety as well. No family support as I’m NC with all my family. Should I keep the baby? I really want a baby”

Aw hun, keep the baby, all a baby needs is love.

“I have a well paid and secure job, nice house and garden and really want a dog. I’ll pay for doggy day care for the 2 days a week I’m at work in the office. My dad lives round the corner and will help with dog as well”

No you evil bitch, dogs need 24h company. It’s better to leave a dog in a. Shelter than have it endure your shitty set up.

#crazy

We are still debating getting a dog, I used to work from home but don’t any more.

I have found a local dog walker that will dog sit for four hours in the middle of the day-pop in walk and take out with other dogs for company for £12 per day. My dh doesn’t work every week day as he works weekends. So will only be at most three times a week. If you can afford that then I see no reason why you shouldn’t get one. You sound like a sensible dog owner!

OP I've had 2 rescue dogs and I think you sound perfect. Register with different rescue centres and not just one.

A loving home with you would be a million times better than the environment that dog will likely be in at the moment.