Is a dog out of the question

[feelinlucky]

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.

[mistlethrush]

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.

[Beaverfeaver]

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

[feelinlucky]

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.

[feelinlucky]

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.

[mistlethrush]

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

[tabulahrasa]

"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.

[feelinlucky]

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 :)

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Congratulations .

[mistlethrush]

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

[feelinlucky]

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 :)

[feelinlucky]

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 :(

[Spero]

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]

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 :)

[feelinlucky]

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.

[mistlethrush]

How's it gone today?

[feelinlucky]

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 :)

[feelinlucky]

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.

[Booboostoo]

Brilliant news, congratulations!

[loraflora]

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).

[Poppylovescheese]

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.