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The doghouse

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

Original poster

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:
Spero · 18/11/2013 20:27

It's probably that thread that made me so militant and annoyed. She was desperate and the dog sounded so unhappy and confused.

Having a dog should be a joy - for both of you. And I hate to think of dogs left in rescues because people get put off by how 'hard' and joyless some people make it sound.

Belize · 18/11/2013 20:38

Here here (or is it hear hear)!

Beaverfeaver · 22/11/2013 02:13

Everyone I know who has happy dogs work.

What is better for the dog - For it to be in a rescue centre cage? Or for it to be in a living home where it gets taken on lovely walks regularly and loved?

I have family nearby who pop in if we are going to be out for longer than 4 hours.

If the dog is used to it then there will be no problem.

Dogs historically have been 'working' and they would have lived outside in kennels and been used when the owner needs it to.

Beaverfeaver · 22/11/2013 02:37

To add: people who are SAHM's aren't nessecarily going to be in any more of a position to spend more time with their dogs than someone who works.

SAHM's still have a job to do (often a tiring one) and it doesn't just stop come 5pm.

mum23kidz · 22/11/2013 03:14

i would not get a dog at this time. A dog needs lots of attention. If you cant walk the dog then it's not fair to own one.

Booboostoo · 22/11/2013 07:20

The OP is getting a cat - A CAT!

No need to turn her thread into a SAHM vs WOHM bun fight!

Spero · 22/11/2013 09:31

Or at least READ what op said before piling in with some provocative inaccuracy. She never said the dog wouldn't be walked, just she would have to get a dog walker.

Yes I know op has decided on a cat but these threads are not simply for the benefit of the op - I bet there are loads of people in her position who may be lurking.

neepsandtatties · 22/11/2013 10:11

I have rehomed three dogs working full-time - one from Dogs Trust and two from the RSPCA. So I don't agree with the contention that a 'reputable' rescue centre wouldn't rehome to full-time workers. On both occasions, we specifically chose older dogs (7-11 years) and I was able to pop home each lunchtime to let them out for a wee.

I definitely think my set up was better than being in a rescue kennel for what remained of their natural life, and the rescue centres involved evidentally thought so too.

OP please look at www.oldies.org.uk for any number of dogs who would thrive in your set-up.

CosyTeaBags · 22/11/2013 10:33

I think OP sounds very considerate, and seriously, the life she could offer a lonely dog in a rescue home is far superior to the life it would currently have sitting alone in a kennel.

Surely, surely people can see that faced with the choice between:

  1. Living in a concrete kennel. Shitting in the corner because there's nowhere else to go. Getting let out once a day to walk on a lead. Going back to concrete kennel. *Apologies to anyone who works in a dog rescue centre. I'm sure some are wonderful, but some aren't
  1. Living in a home. Getting to play and be fussed in morning. Getting left at home, probably in a warm room with a comfy bed. Having someone visit during the day to take you out for a walk. Left alone again for a few hours. Having your family return home at end of day for more walks / play / companionship / cuddles.

Surely option 2 is always the better choice? OK, I agree that in an ideal world, no dog would be left alone, and all would live in happy homes where their owners were with them all day. But a quick look at the hundreds of rescue centres housing thousands of unwanted dogs will tell you that sadly, we don't live in an ideal world.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do OP. I think you sound like a great Mum wanting to do the best for her DS.

CosyTeaBags · 22/11/2013 10:36

X-Post with Neeps

Exactly what I was getting at. Glad you have been able to give some love to 3 of them, that, if some of the posters on here had their way, would otherwise have had to spend the rest of their lives in a kennel.

Original poster
feelinlucky · 22/11/2013 10:42

Hi all, an update! So, I approached a local rescue centre for a cat and they rejected me because I live on a road :( the lady was most defensive that I felt this was a bit over the top but she said I couldn't guarantee the cats safety. I thought cats were free to roam wherever they please. I think I've only ever seen one cat that died in the road in my whole life. I tried to explain that as the owner I would take every care to ensure the safety of the cat but it was a very strong no! Goodness, will no one support us having a pet. I've sent off a few contact emails to the cat protection people. I'll even have a cat with disabilities. Surely a living home is better than a rescue centre? We would love to spoil an animal. I'm feeling a bit deflated :(

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 22/11/2013 10:44

No one can guarantee a cats safety ! Would you mind having an indoor cat as rescues often have cats with FIV ( I think ) that have to stay indoors .

CosyTeaBags · 22/11/2013 11:11

That makes me Angry OP - for you and the poor cats/dogs that are being denied perfectly good homes.

I understand that rescue centres need to ensure their animals go to the best possible homes, but do they not realize that any irresponsible potential pet owners are just going to go to a breeder and buy a pet with no home checks whatsoever, free to leave it alone all day / roam around on the road with no one to answer to??

I've been thinking about your thread and getting more indignant on your behalf. Of course you can offer a loving home to a pet - don't give up, send out lots of emails to lots of rescue homes. Someone will be grateful, and some animal will benefit from the love you have to give soon.

neepsandtatties · 22/11/2013 13:16

I'm very cross too.

OP - please don't give up. How about either of these?

www.oldies.org.uk/?p=70083

www.oldies.org.uk/?p=87506

Their descriptions state that a full-time working home (with a wee at lunchtime) would be welcomed, so your school hours would offer an even better scenario.

The Oldies club is a fantastic well respected charity who assess each potential owner according to the individual dog's needs. Unlike some rescues (and sadly posters on this thread) they don't support a blanket ban on workers, meaning they faciliate 100's of dogs each year finding their way to a warm bed, rather than lie shivering in kennels.

CosyTeaBags · 22/11/2013 13:21

Oooh now you've done it Neeps

The Oldies club is a great idea - and both those dogs are adorable...

everlong · 22/11/2013 13:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

everlong · 22/11/2013 13:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
feelinlucky · 22/11/2013 13:32

I'm just looking now.

OP posts:
Original poster
feelinlucky · 22/11/2013 13:32

At oldies :)

OP posts:
Original poster
feelinlucky · 22/11/2013 13:33

The cat I was interested in has been at the centre a year!!! She didn't ask me a single other question just ruled me out immediately upon saying my house is on a road. It's a side rd too not a main road.

OP posts:
neepsandtatties · 22/11/2013 13:38

Or this one?

www.oldies.org.uk/?p=97582

Almost worth adopting him for the fact he's met Bear Grylls (swoon!)

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

LadyTurmoil · 22/11/2013 14:04

Scouting Sam is lovely Smile 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

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.

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 Hmm 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.