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Original poster

Any dog lovers out there decided against getting another dog?

32 replies

MackEndSea · 24/12/2023 19:33

I’m a dog lover and have had dogs all my life. I currently have two but suddenly I find myself fantasising about the time when I have no dogs. A clean tidy fresh smelling house, no obligation to go out for walks in all weather, no dog shit in the garden, no kennel fees, no having to book a simple night away weeks in advance to ensure the dogs have kennel spaces …

Apart from all this I find the number of idiotic dog owners has increased massively in the past few years - dogs off lead with no recall … only takes one bad experience for your puppy to morph into 12/13 years of “reactive dog”. Do I really need that stress in my life?

Any dog lovers decided to go dogless and not regretted it? / gone back on it?

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 24/12/2023 19:58

Sort of, we were doggy free for 7 years and spent that time travelling extensively..... then in 2021 DH got a permanent WFH job and got lonely .... now we have a 2 year old ddog. Whilst i wouldnt be without him this one will be our last!

ErrolTheRednosedDragon · 24/12/2023 20:05

Our dear old boy died last year, and we're almost sure we won't get another. He was over 16, and quite hard work physically for the last year or so (had to be carried on the stairs, and really didn't like being out of sight of me after he went deaf). We're over 60, not sure I could manage that in my late 70s. And also DH is retired, I will in a year or two and we want to travel. No family nearby.

DramaAlpaca · 24/12/2023 20:14

We've decided not to have any more after our current one, who's now 8 and the doggy love of my life. He's going to break my heart when he goes and I can't do it again.

Also, DH and I are approaching retirement and want to be able to do things like go away at the drop of a hat, which of course you can't when you have a dog.

Houseplanter · 24/12/2023 20:20

We won't have another. I often want one desperately but I know I really only want my girl back.

A puppy would not fit in to our lives right now and it wouldn't be right.

Still heartbroken though.

Radiat · 24/12/2023 20:22

I love mine to pieces, but he will be my last. I already tear up when I think of him leaving us, and he’s not exactly ancient yet 😅 He also costs a small fortune in ongoing care costs. I don’t regret him at all, but I won’t be getting another dog.

tiredandolderthanithought · 24/12/2023 20:23

We had two, one died recently and were left with a 4 yr old. We won't get another though as I want flexibility as I get older

FiddleLeaf · 24/12/2023 20:25

Similar really. We had two dogs and one sadly died last year. Our remaining old boy won’t be ‘replaced’ once he heads off to doggy heaven.

I’d like a break from the responsibility & the dog hair although our cat is super furry too!

I will definitely have another rescue or two in future but maybe in 10 years or so.

Ladyj84 · 24/12/2023 20:27

Grew up with dogs have had several of my own over the years. We also have decided once this time me goes that's it for a while see how we get on

Seashor · 24/12/2023 20:27

We didn’t get another dog after our last boy left us. Instead we sponsor two dogs with the Dogs Trust and have a bowl of water at the end of our driveway.
I’m also fortunate to have two Grandogs who we regularly dog sit so I get my fix.

Clariana · 24/12/2023 20:29

Yes, like you I have had dogs all my life, but won't be getting another one after the current DDog. A mixture of wanting to travel more spontaneously, but also that there are so many more apparently clueless dog owners now, I like to go to dog free places so I am not annoyed by badly behaved dogs!

Haggisfish3 · 24/12/2023 20:31

Me. It’s the impact on spontaneity for me. I do love a dog but I also love being able to go for nights away without worrying! I think I’ll get another one in about five or six years when kids leave home. But might not as well!

Iheartmysmart · 24/12/2023 20:32

I lost my old boy in October and am pretty sure I won’t be getting another dog. Similar to a PP, he was hard work in the last few months. His anxiety got really bad to the point where I couldn’t leave him for longer than a couple of minutes. His eyesight and hearing were poor and he just couldn’t cope unless I was with him all the time. It was exhausting.

Plus my support network of doggy carers who’d have him occasionally to give me a break aren’t able to offer support any more.

However I’m currently sat in my very clean and tidy flat, with presents under the tree wishing the silly bugger was here, nosing in the bags, getting covered in fake snow and tangled up in the lights!

21ZIGGY · 24/12/2023 20:32

My boy is only 2 and im in no way wishing him away but i hear you on all of it! X

VickyEadieofThigh · 24/12/2023 20:34

ErrolTheRednosedDragon · 24/12/2023 20:05

Our dear old boy died last year, and we're almost sure we won't get another. He was over 16, and quite hard work physically for the last year or so (had to be carried on the stairs, and really didn't like being out of sight of me after he went deaf). We're over 60, not sure I could manage that in my late 70s. And also DH is retired, I will in a year or two and we want to travel. No family nearby.

We've had our current rescue dog for almost 2 years - she's around 9 or 10.

We're both in our 60s and have also decided that this will be our last dog, for similar reasons to the poster I've quoted.

Makemydaypunk · 24/12/2023 20:37

Lost my darling girl 7 months ago, it broke me and I am just about getting myself on an even keel after the trauma, currently I don’t think I can sign up for that again, equally I can’t imagine never having the joy and love my beautiful girl gave me over 15 years. I will re assess in couple of years time.

MargaritaThyme · 24/12/2023 20:38

Yes, us. We had four dogs at one stage; two terriers & two lurchers. One we had from a puppy, the other three were re-homes who spent their last few years with us.

When our last lurcher died, we decided no more. I wanted a period free of the responsibilities and ever-escalating costs of dog ownership. Initially the plan was for a couple of dog-free years, but that has expanded into more than a decade. Never say never, but we currently have no plans to get another.

sykadelic · 24/12/2023 20:40

We had 2 dogs for almost 13 years and lost 1 last year (almost 12 months to the day). The remaining dog will be 13 in May but I think we have a few more years left. I'm pretty much done, although I will miss having a dog, the idea of a puppy is just not appealing.

Like you I worry I will miss having a dog in the house when she goes, but I just can't imagine another 15 or so years and starting from scratch. Though parents loath to say it, it IS like having another kid, especially the puppy stage.

PuffyShirt · 24/12/2023 20:40

Our gorgeous old dog died a few weeks ago.

We miss not just him, but having a dog in the house. If you’re used to a dog, the house feels all kinds of wrong and soulless.

We are planning on getting a pup in the new year. A spotless house is no compensation for having a dog to love.

3Buachailli · 24/12/2023 20:40

Our beautiful 12 Yr old spaniel was put to sleep in July. We were all very upset and still miss him. The house seems so empty at times (but alot cleaner) without him.
However we won't get another... for all the reasons mentioned above. I might consider taking a guide dog puppy in training

Any dog lovers out there decided against getting another dog?
Isseywith3witchycats · 24/12/2023 20:43

As with above posters my last Ddog went about 6 years ago and i said i wouldnt get another dog as im in my sixties, still have three cats aged 16,10 and 8 and have said as they go to the bridge i wont be getting any more cats either

Zippedydoodahday · 24/12/2023 20:44

My friend in similar circumstances has decided to foster guide dogs in training. She gets her doggy fix without the cost or longterm commitment. Dog is out the house 9 to 5, and the charity arranges a boarder whenever needed, plus pays for food and vet care. If she has a big trip planned she can take a break.

Evenstar · 24/12/2023 20:48

I have two currently, I am 60 next year and think they will be the last. They are 5 and almost 6, I think we may just have our cats after that. I have had dogs in total for around 45 years, but they are a huge tie and make so much extra housework that I worry we may not cope in another 10 years and then there is a concern about ensuring they are cared for if we aren’t around.

Jingleballs2 · 24/12/2023 20:55

We have a 4 year old dog now and think it will be our last. As much as I love them, I dream of a nice clean home! We have a 5 year old right now but when he is grown and the dog is gone, I think it will be time to enjoy a clean damage free house.
I say as he's sat cuddled on my feet 😣

MyLeftKnee · 24/12/2023 20:58

Absolutely. We've had up to 7 dogs at one time, currently have 2 both over 7. Husband is a vet, I'm a vet nurse but these will be our last. I'm 50 he's a bit younger. Kids are all growing up by the time these dogs pass kids will have left home and I want to be free to do stuff. DH is not as sure as me but as all the dogs have been mine and my choice over the years if I leave it to him I bet he'll just huff and puff and never get around to another dog if he has to do it.I will miss them but I've been sure for about 5 years now that these are my last.

Lizzim18 · 24/12/2023 20:59

We had a Jack Russell Terror (that’s not a typo), he sadly died in 2019 from cancer aged 13.

We were heartbroken and even though we occasionally consider getting another we are hoping to retire in 12 years and want to travel or move overseas so a dog really wouldn’t fit our lifestyle.

Still loved the one we had though ❤️