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Original poster

Pets - pros and cons

82 replies

gold123 · 17/07/2004 19:15

Thinking of getting a family pet.

What pets do you have, what do you wish you hadn't had, pros and cons appreciated please.

I was thinking of a dog - it would be lovely to have one for many reasons and I think it would be a good way to get fit and healthy too

Can't quite decide, can't mention my thoughts to dh, because he would be out there getting one with very little thought.

OP posts:
Original poster
gold123 · 17/07/2004 20:35

Well, got to go out to work now, will check back in when I get home - keep posting everyone

OP posts:
Chandra · 17/07/2004 20:37

Have 2 Yorkshire terriers, chosen this breed because they require little walking (or none at all as they spend the day chasing each other), they eat little, poo little and can share a kennel when we are away. Disadvantages of this breed is that they are very fragile (a big hug from baby and they are gone but hey, for a long time I thought I could not have babies, so they have had a special place in our lives before the baby and we are training both dogs and child to be kind to each other ), Oh, and they become easily spoiled (therefore nasty) because they are so cute.

Funny things we have gone through with them: feeding them five times a day when little, teach them how to use the garden door and be clean inside of the house, things I never expected: They also have baby teeth and when they change them for adult ones they chew the house down, we also had to sort up teenager behaviour when my little darlings reached puberty but still believe that what I paid for them has been the best investment for some years. The costs of the first year are as follow:

Baby dog: £150.00
Vacines: around £25 per shot
Visits to the vet £30 each
Insurance £9 per month
Microchip £28
Replacement of wall paper in the hall £150
Teenage taming (when he decided he could rule the house better than us): £5 per class
Little friend so he didn't spend the day alone when I went back to work: £170.00
2 doors the little friend chew down in her first weekend at home: £100 ea.
Replacement of all dining room chairs: £120
Training clases to control the little beast: £150
Pet passport (a huge amount of money)
Pet Spa Kennel because they can not travel with us any more £16 per night. (more that what I used to pay at hostels when younger)

And if you think this dogs live as royalty you will find amusing that the cleaning lady resigned because she didn't like the night accomodation the dog trainer recommended, so she returned the keys and told us she could not work for people like us. Surrealistic!!!

Chandra · 17/07/2004 20:44

DS happily playing ball with them...PRICELESS

Thomcat · 17/07/2004 20:47

I'd love a rat actually Zebra, but yeah like you might have trouble with their diet.

My BF had a parrot and it drove us mad, didn't bloody shut up and was so aggresive as well, we hated it!

Ohhhh - is that why the guinea pigs made so much noise, whoops! One did die after we'd looked after it!!!!!

When out cat pops off, of after this huge vet bill i might take him for a long drive!!!, I think I might quite like a rabbit for lottie, what are they like as pets?

wellsie · 17/07/2004 21:29

Gold123, We have a mad choc labrador, she is beautiful but very expensive.
4yrs ago she cost £380, since then we have spent an absolute fortune on her (when she was a puppy she destroyed our kitchen)
But saying all this I would still have another one, in fact when I'm done having babies I want to breed choccie labs.
How old are your children? Will they be able to help? Our DS is only 6mths so at present there is a lot of supervision going on!

nutcracker · 17/07/2004 21:34

I love choccie labradors but my dad advised me against having one, any idea why ???
All he said was 'they are mad'.

maidmarion · 17/07/2004 21:49

Gold, if you like spaniel-size dogs, what about a cocker spaniel? Lovely size, nature, great with kids, especially if you get one as a pup, and easily trained. They're gorgeous dogs, and can cope with big long hikes (if you like that sort of thing!) or short park walks. And their tails never stop wagging...I couldn't live without one, personally!

In fact, why not get two of them while you're at it, they love company!

dogwalker · 17/07/2004 21:56

Hi G123. We have a dog (hence the nickname as guess who does most of the walking?). He's a black and tan mongrel who gives us a lot of pleasure . He's 5yo now, doesn't cost a great deal at the vets, £30 per year for boosters, £18 for kennel cough vaccination. He came from an animal sanctuary and cost £60 (he was only 8 wks old so didn't have a history). He was neutered at 6 months old, that cost about £60 and he eats dried food which costs about £30 every couple of months. Unfortunately we don't have family nearby so he has to go in kennels when we go on holiday which he doesn't really like and costs £8.50 per night (these prices vary of course). I wouldn't do without him. Go for it!

Janh · 17/07/2004 22:25

If you are energetic a Springer spaniel would be good. We spent a day with a couple of them recently and they are a joy, and if you have a child who likes chucking balls and some outdoor space they can play for hours, but they do seem to have boundless energy so would need lots of walking (nice in the summer, not so much in the winter!)

Fio has Border collies I think, Fio? Very similar characteristics. If I had a dog it would be one of those or a Pippin (from Auntie Mabel and...)

Choc labs and red setters are both mad.

HTH!

Paula71 · 18/07/2004 00:05

Gold, we have a dog and tbh I find it exhausting trying to look after it and my ds toddler twins. Possibly it is because he is still a puppy so very very jumpy.

We now have two huge holes in the kitchen wall where he scratched through, he has eaten or destroyed several dog blankets as well as a whole bunch of other things. If I was heartless I would find him a new home but am hoping when we get his you-know-whats cut off he will calm down and be the companion we were looking for.

essbee · 18/07/2004 00:15

Message withdrawn

ScummyMummy · 18/07/2004 00:24

hamsters are better than I thought, apart from houdini tendencies...

edam · 18/07/2004 00:28

Congratulations MI, welcome to the cat servant club . My little back moggy also came from north London and was beaten up by the hard saaaaf London squirrels where we used to live. Can you imagine what that does to a cat's self respect, being chased by a rodent? Poor thing, think she's much happier in suburbia where there are frogs to annoy...

ScummyMummy · 18/07/2004 00:30

I like pippin from come outside too janh. I would like one of her and a greyhound and a maine coon cat if I didn't live in a flat.

Original poster
gold123 · 18/07/2004 01:25

Thanks for all the replies - need to seriously look into this.

The kids are 6 and 4, if we decide to go to a rescue place, I won't take them with me or we will end up bringing the whole lot home.

I remember when my mum and dad got there last dog (departed from us now) it had been starved and beaten, the day after we got him, we took him to the vets to get him checked over and you could see all the people in the waiting room looking at us, as if we had done it to him. I just don't understand how some people could be so cruel. I would prefer to help a dog that need a loving home, but its such a risk getting one from a rescue centre just incase they turn nasty on the kids - I would never forgive myself.

OP posts:
Chandra · 18/07/2004 01:40

Gold, it all depends, some rescue centers can tell you if the dog is suitable for children or not. The best behaved dog we ever had came from a rescue center, she must have had some wonderful owners, she was great.

edam · 18/07/2004 01:44

Agree with Chandra, my sister's dog (now sadly deceased) came from the RSPCA and he was lovely and gentle. The cat used to beat him up!

Frenchgirl · 18/07/2004 01:52

gold123, we got our Lakeland Terrier puppy today!!! he is dangerously cute (looks like black and tan teddy bear), and so far has been delightful: good run around session in the garden after our two hour trip back from breeder, with 5 year old dd having the time of her life. Currently sleeping in the kitchen. He cost us £500, and that's without injections...However, they are a very sturdy breed so vet bills should be low. They don't shed, love children, are active but can cope without daily walk as long as get to play in the house. BUT they have a terrier temperament and are quite independent minded, thereore I expect training to be hard work! Anyway, let's see how the first night goes......

Slinky · 18/07/2004 01:54

We've got 2 cats, 2 rabbits and 1 goldfish (1 died recently).

DH (and kids) would LOVE a dog but I keep refusing Firstly, DH commutes into London daily so therefore long hours, so it would be me who would have to look after it/walk it etc. Also we have no-one who would be willing to look after a dog when we went away. Plus, I'm not overkeen on dogs - much prefer my cats.

Our 2 cats are great - they were rescued, so both had been speyed. Both females (5yo and 3yo) ginger and gorgeous. They are both very "homely" cats and love company and being around people. The 3yo dotes on my DS1 and follows him everywhere.

When we're away, my mum or my neighbour comes in to feed them. I've had cats since I was 13 and I can't imagine not having cats in the house.

Original poster
gold123 · 18/07/2004 02:18

Frenchgirl - he sounds lovely, good luck tonight
Slinky, I woulnd't mind a cat, but my niece is highly allergic, so that would be cruel to have one.

I have run passed the idea of a dog to dh and he seems very keen

What type of dog is Pippin ???

OP posts:
Frenchgirl · 18/07/2004 02:23

woof woof!!

licks

mac the lakie
xxx

sykes · 18/07/2004 02:25

Gold, my dog - a rescue dog was put down last year, she was a lurcher and wonderful with the girls, also had a cat - they were sort of a package - they'd also come from a family originally so I knew they got on with children. Never had any problems re the girls - neither was born when we first had Molly/Henry - dog and cat. But as much as I adored them it is hard work - lots of walks in the rain etc and holidays are hard - kennels if you find hte right one are fine - but if you have friends etc to look after them it would help. We always had dogs when I was growing up and I really miss not having a dog but will wait a bit - girls now 2.5 and 4.5.

Fio2 · 18/07/2004 11:11

LOL janh and scummy, pippin IS the dog of the moment in our house

Yes I do have border collies(well rememebered janh! My oldest dof is a border collie/lurcher cross. We had her from the border collie research trust nr rugeley. There are numbers in the yellow pages for this gold123. The lady who runs it, Jenny I think her name is, is lovely. She wont just let you have a dog though. She 'interviews' you over the phone, does a home visit to see whether you are suitable first as they dont want to place a rescue dog with someone who isnt going to look after it properly iykwim Also it is to see if they have any dogs suitable for your environment. We had a 2 year old bitch off her and she is now 10! She is still a very very lively dog. very possessive and would KILL anyone who got in the house I am sure! I am not top dog I am afraid with her. DH is and what he says goes but me, no I just get ignored

My second dog is only 2 and she is a welsh border collie (not a cross) she is also a resue dog. We got her from Llandystumwy in wales, when we were on holiday. They rehome all the working dogs the farmers dont want She is a lovely little dog. Very stupid. Very loveable and soft.

I have found both my collies get on well with the children. Also collies tend to be very healthy dogs until they start getting very old. They are also very clever. My older dog can open doors, windows, the fridge, climb walls(!) jump well over 6 foot, the list is endless.

If you want any vet recommendations etc. I am willing to help!

busybee123 · 18/07/2004 11:46

we have 2 lovebirds (very very very noisy!!) a budgie, 9 fish and 2 gerbils (got them last night) We have a welsh border collie but she lives with MIL til we can get a house with a garden. When we moved here we werent allowed to have her here

Blackduck · 18/07/2004 11:53

Our dog is a rescue dog - he's completely mad (in a good kind of way...) As others have said resuce centres will take a detailed history if they can (in our case he was picked up off the street so we have no idea of his history). Other option is if you have a guide dog training centre near you go for a 'failed' guide dog - going to be very well trained!

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