Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Unflip

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

1 2 3 4 5 6

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Is a dog out of the question

146 replies

feelinlucky · 14/11/2013 17:12

My 11 year old has always wanted a dog. It's just me and him and I know he would benefit hugely from us having a dog. But! I work and I don't know if it's fair to leave a dog on it's own most of the day. Ds is back just after 3 and I guess I could employ a dog walker. I would be happy with an older dog and a type that would be ok for periods on their own. I know next to nothing about dogs but I do read a lot on here and have learned such a lot about the responsibility. Any advice from those in the know would be great. Thank you.

OP posts:

Report

Poppylovescheese · 27/11/2013 12:19

I totally agree with Spero. I have two very large dogs (Rhodesian ridgebacks) and they are left a variety of different hours: some weeks virtually not at all and other times quite a lot (with access to the garden). They are walked every day, cared for and loved: a damn sight better than what they would receive in rescue kennels. However I doubt a rescue centre would consider us due to working patterns and having a child. And yes the dogs (and to a certain extent my child) have to fit in with me as I pay the bills! Honestly if only people who didn't work or worked very limited hours had dogs the rescue centres would be bursting at the seams.

loraflora · 26/11/2013 19:44

Good to hear you found a resolution that can work for you, DS and your new cat. The criteria of cat rescues varies quite a bit.My local one was concerned about nearby road, and would only let me have a female cat, under the assumption she wouldn't roam so far. Which proved to be true - she's a lazy bugger (but very loving).

Booboostoo · 25/11/2013 17:27

Brilliant news, congratulations!

feelinlucky · 24/11/2013 06:16

We had another night of him sleeping on the bed. He went downstairs, had a wee, ate all his food but I've noticed he's not bothered about milk, so lots of fresh water for him. He's so loving. We're away for most of the day today. I would have taken him with me if I could. I've left ds snuggle blanket for him.

OP posts:

everlong · 23/11/2013 22:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

feelinlucky · 23/11/2013 20:24

Brilliant. He's eaten, done a couple of wee's and this very second he's snuggling on ds. He's been exploring, prancing, and scratching. He is literally asleep on ds lap. I adore him :)

OP posts:

mistlethrush · 23/11/2013 19:19

How's it gone today?

feelinlucky · 23/11/2013 00:08

So, a running commentary. I brought him upstairs. He went under the drawers but my son got him back onto the bed. He played with the light on my phone for a bit now he's quite happily licking his tootsies next to me on the bed. I hope he feels safe and loved while we all go to sleep. :) night all.

OP posts:

feelinlucky · 22/11/2013 23:35

We've popped him on the litter tray but he's literally not loved from snuggling next to us. The litter tray is on the ground floor. What shall I do? I don't want to leave him on his own. I think I'll worry about poo later. I would rather he was settled with us and worry about poo if it happens :) he's not eaten or drank anything yet. I'm not worried. He's just snuggling with us :)

OP posts:

Spero · 22/11/2013 23:17

Start as you mean to go on! If you are happy for him always to be in your bed then take him up. Are you sorted with a litter tray etc? Are you ok with possible accidents involving horrible bodily fluids?

I hope you have many more cosy nights on the sofa together.

feelinlucky · 22/11/2013 23:12

Ok, Felix has been here now since 8pm and hasn't moved from snuggling us the whole time. I'm in awe of how settled and loving he is. I don't want to leave him on his own when we go to bed. Shall I take him up with me or leave him downstairs on his own :(

OP posts:

feelinlucky · 22/11/2013 22:11

No didn't get him until 7pm. I had a lengthy conversation to a sainsburys employee who helped me get al his provisions and she recommended a really good local vet. I'll get on it tomorrow. He's black with white paws And a moustache. He's this minute lying with his little paws against me and hasn't left my sons side. He's having a snoozle :)

OP posts:

mistlethrush · 22/11/2013 21:55

What colour is he? And have you managed to speak to the vet to get a schedule etc?

fanoftheinvisibleman · 22/11/2013 21:53

Congratulations .

feelinlucky · 22/11/2013 21:43

Well, right this minute we have Felix, 11 weeks old lying on my sons lap and he hasn't moved. He is so content and not at all bothered that there's 3 of us cosy on the sofa. He's absolutely amazing. He's so happy to just be snuggled and stroked. We're all in love :)

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 22/11/2013 19:05

"She didn't ask me a single other question just ruled me out immediately upon saying my house is on a road."

Um, if your house isn't on a road - how would you get to it? do you think they actually rehome any cats?...

Some rescues do have rather odd arbitrary rules, others have guidelines that they're quite happy to look at for individual animals and people, they may still decide no, but only after actual consideration of whether somewhere is suitable.

mistlethrush - you'd probably be better starting a new thread, so people see it.

mistlethrush · 22/11/2013 18:10

A kitten you'll need to keep inside for a while - so you won't need to take it to the vets immediately - but find a good local vet to you and ring them up and get some advice on the right timescales for innoculation, chipping and neutering etc

feelinlucky · 22/11/2013 18:05

I'm excited too. Do I have to book it straight into the vets for chip etc? I have an over the top cat loving team at work. I'm sure they'll give me lots of advice. Ooh, a kitten to spoil.

OP posts:

feelinlucky · 22/11/2013 18:03

Hey, I went to the local pet centre and they gave me a number for an elderly couple who have just had kittens and we're going round tonight :) my son is over the moon.

OP posts:

Beaverfeaver · 22/11/2013 17:52

I know plenty of cats who live on main roads and have gotten to old age and other cats who live on cul de sacs and have unfortunately been hit.

I am so angry at the rescue centres.

This is not on.

Poor cat

mistlethrush · 22/11/2013 17:51

Does anyone know of a dog-savy person that is currently between dogs that might be able to foster one for a bit - he's in a pound where there's been parvo so no rescues can actually take him in until he's proven clear - but he does have a place when he's definitely OK. He'll need to be kept on the lead and ideally away from other dogs.

ormirian · 22/11/2013 14:22

How many people who work have dogs? Thousands. Are all those dogs deprived and miserable? No. Most of them even? I doubt it. My dog is from a rescue centre and is left two days a week 8.30 till 3ish. Two days a week he is home with my eldest - which is more or less thee same as being alone I suspect He gets one long walk or run once day during the week and a walk and a run each day of the weekend.

It's not ideal but not perfect is better than being in a rescue centre no matter how good that might be. Could you look for a pair of older dogs that need to be rehomed together? There are often pairs like that in rescue when elderly owners have died.

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Email address

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Spero · 22/11/2013 14:10

O ffs. I hate to say I told you so... But some of these people working in animal rescues do need to wake up to the real world.

I have had seven pet cats since I was an adult and a variety of strays who stayed a week or so. I have had one cat killed on the road and one cat got her leg broken. The cat who died on the road had lived with me for five happy years, fed, warm, played with, taken to the vet. She could come and go as she pleased and I think she had a really happy life.

The cat who broke her leg, I paid for a bloody cat orthopaedic surgeon as I stupidly hadn't taken out insurance. She is 13 now and still going strong. Living near a road is not an automatic death sentence for a cat.

This is why people go to breeders. It makes me really cross and fed up.

LadyTurmoil · 22/11/2013 14:04

Scouting Sam is lovely How ridiculous that they wouldn't rehome a cat cos you live on a road! Where are you bloody supposed to live then, in a yurt on a mountain top - just so stupid. And then they wonder why so many people go out and get dogs/cats from breeders. Honestly, I can't believe it, don't they live in the real world?

But... there are rescues who will be happy to rehome with you, don't get downhearted. Try looking at Many Tears, what about a dog like Jaff

CosyTeaBags · 22/11/2013 13:54

The cat I was interested in has been at the centre a year that's just despicable. These self-important people making decisions on these animal's lives because of some arbitrary rules.

All of those dogs are heartbreaking Neeps

I sometimes look at my beloved dogs and think if, for any awful reason, they had to be rehomed (they never would, even if I snuffed it we have family who love them) but if they did, they would look awful on paper - the long list of illnesses, dislikes, special needs etc... but you couldn't find a more wonderful couple of bundles of hairy love

Good luck OP.. keep us posted

Unflip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.