Don’t get a dog

[Manyandyoucanwalkover]

Dogs are really hard work. They don’t come house trained, so expect to have wee and poo all over your floors. They will eat stuff they shouldn’t and then they vomit. They can be very noisy, they bark and they whine. Some keep you awake half the night. The vet’s bills are horrendous. £75 for a consultation, then medication on top of that. They need regular medication for worms, ticks and fleas. Many dogs need trips to the dog groomer, factor in about £50 every six weeks. This is for 10 years or more. Then they break your heart. 🐾💔

Please don’t get a dog, unless you have thought about all the above.

Agree with you

I have an almost 4 Yr old cocker spaniel, the puppy days were difficult - all the biting in the beginning was so challenging - but she is an amazing dog and one of my best friends. Dogs don't judge, they are instinctive and will always be there to listen. When I'm feeling down she wakes up from her nap, comes and sits next to me with her paw on me for comfort. She's so loving.

So yes dogs are hard work but in the end it all comes right but it does take a LOT of dedication to training and it's a whole lifestyle change really.

My friend Helene (think she's on here) fosters dogs from a rescue. Vets bills paid, she just enjoys (and has the time as she retired early) to do the training so they're socialised, can do recall and obey simple commands, walk nicely on and off a lead, and can be rehomed safely.

It's a big responsibility that you need to consider before you get a dog. I didn't regret it, though.

I grew up with family dogs. My current two are numbers 11 and 12 in the dogs who’ve shared my adult life, plus I’ve fostered a few. Yes I love dogs. But -m there are so many untrained badly behaved reactive dogs around, the regular walks I’ve done over fifty years are now less enjoyable and often avoided. So called professional dog walkers with an unstable pack of 6-8 off lead running about barking etc. charging up to other dogs with no manners or recall
so - don’t get a dog if yiu don’t understand their needs

This is Martha. She’s almost 16 and I’ve had her since she was 3-ish.

She’s off to the rainbow bridge next week and I’ve asked her to send everyone on this thread some sunshine for being so sensible and generous, either by making space for a dog in you world/home/bank account, or for being smart/kind enough to recognise that having a dog is not for you.

She’s been the absolute best girl for over a decade, it feels like I’m losing a limb, but every tough moment (and there were many) were worth it for the joy she’s brought me.

I would never have a dog for these reasons (and others). I know they're very loving but too much of a commitment and too much work.
I've always had cats and I find them so easy. They do their business outside so I just need to feed them and love them.

It's the smell I can't bear, I can smell it on peoples clothes, in particular jackets.

I'm sorry to those who are losing or have lost dogs recently. So heartbreaking. <3

I've said it before and I'll say it again, most people who think they want a dog, want a cat.

You want a pet you can leave for hours unsupervised, that you don't have to walk. That is furry and affectionate, and doesn't live in a tiny cage? That litter trains and grooms itself?

You want a cat, you idiot. Not a dog.

(Not minimising the care needs of cats - used to work in a cat shelter! But they're definitely more independent and it pisses me off seeing dogs being badly cared for when more people would suit a cat.)

Unlike strawberry ice cream, you can just leave a dog in the freezer or dispose of it if you don't want it.

Shouldn't be hard to grasp the difference between animal with needs and feelings and inanimate food item.

Animal that is alive, ice cream that is not. Animal that needs food, attention and maintenance, icream does not. So it's a slight difference.

I always thought I was a cat person, until I got a dog. Dogs all the way now. But I agree, cats are much lower maintenance.

They are also a massive commitment. My previous dog went blind, and could no longer cope with car journeys. This meant we didn't have a holiday for 5 years. There was no way I was going to put him in kennels. He also destroyed quite a lot of my house. But I loved him to bits and miss him dreadfully.
I've now adopted 2 new dogs that I absolutely adore, but they were not toilet trained, so that's fun!

Having said all that, I adore dogs and I couldn't imagine ever not having them in my life and home. They give us so much joy.

This is very true, though with a cat and a toddler I can't imagine that we'd be a good fit for many rescues. (And in truth my husband has no desire to get a dog so we won't be doing it anyway.) I think my point still stands though, you have to be committed for the lifespan of the dog, no matter how old they are when they arrive with you, and I think there are plenty of people who don't think beyond the next year or so.

I adore my dog, he's 12 and really the best ever but I totally agree that plenty of people who get dogs really shouldn't. The commitment and cost are often completely underestimated.

I'll never have another one, he's my second and I will be completely heartbroken when he goes, the pain of losing an animal is just horrific. Massive hugs to all those making hard decisions in the coming days/weeks ahead xx

I'm so sorry @TheMudWasWorthIt and so sorry for Martha who is not only beautiful but so very obviously very loved and very loving.
Losing a limb is a good description of what it feels like.
I hope it goes as well as it can and that brighter days come for you in time.

Well mine is! All she wants is a cuddle,a lap to be on and her litter tray sorted out regularly. The odd play with a toy. Been the same since we adopted her when she was three. Boy cat likes to go in the garden for a bit and stake out his territory, but is also mainly inside and on a lap or sitting on the kitchen table watching what's going on. They're a doddle compared to our late dog (who I loved dearly).

TheMudWasWorthIt
What a beautiful picture. It reminds me of my old grey muzzled friend that I lost 28 months ago.
And your username says it all.

Martha is a beautiful dog, lovely photo, and your post is very generous @TheMudWasWorthIt

42 is the meaning of life according to the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, you probably need to be over 50 to get the reference!

our housecats rip down wall paper, wee on the carpet, steal food and scratch the furniture. We adore them.

But I agree, if you have an animal in your family, expect and tolerate animal behaviour. If you can't, don't have an animal in your family

Ha ha, that made me laugh. I must say "bloody dog!" about 4 times a day.

I think there's a lot of truth to this - our cat provides 90% of the affection that a dog would for about 20% of the work. (He is admittedly a particularly sweet natured and friendly cat, I imagine if you had a more distant one that the ratios might be a little different!)

There was an article recently about many common dog breeds being bred to look ‘cute’ or for fashion, when it actually causes them a lifetime of discomfort.
I’ve personally never had a pet, because there seems something wrong to me : in terms of ‘owning’ an animal, trying to train or have it for human pleasure. It feels like its rights are taken, it has no real choice. And then the impact of pet food production, excrement on the environment - as well as many pets being poorly looked after.

@Manyandyoucanwalkover

@WaitingForMojo agree. The worst days of my life have been when my dogs have died but they also have me the happiest days.

I love my dog but if I could turn back the clock, I wouldn't have got him.