So, what have you sacrificed for your dogs?

[TheMotherOfHellbeasts]

Just wondering really, I was just having a conversation about the adjustments you make when you have dogs so wondered what everyone else gave up .

Our main ones per dog are:

Ddog1 - I gave up having rugs on the ground floor as she'd come in from having killed something, covered in blood and stain the rugs, she would usually bring me the head of whatever it was too, just to prove how well she was protecting us . Our home was beginning to look like a serial killer's den .

Ddog2 - I gave up growing roses. They were the pride of my verandah, but every time I pruned them and caught myself on a thorn, ddog2 would come roaring up, leap at the pot and savage it until only twigs remained as it had dared to try to attack and murder me on his watch and so it had to die.

Ddog3 - hmmm, don't think I've had to give up anything. She must be wonder pup!

I'm moving because since I got a dog 4 years ago I've been ostracised and abused (it's a muslim area and I was oblivious to the fear and prejudice in this religion) No bad thing moving really- it's a horrible area nowadays, and pre dog I wasn't out and about as much so didn't appreciate how crap it had become , but an upheavalnevertheless . I do not have a day without two long walks, even when I feel ill. I fund my vet's holidays as my dog is fearless and thus injured lots.
But, he's ace and life generally is better with him in it. I've had to learn so much about dogs, I didn't realise how hard it can be with a dog breed vilified in the media...I'm not into breedism (similar to racism in my book) so it shocked me for a while.

Oh yes and I've bought a tent lem so I can take him on holiday.

We have a Matthew Hilton Balzac chair. I love it with all my heart. Even though 2 of its legs have been chewed and we're on the 3rd leather upholstery. Luckily, I love my dogs a little bit more.

Oh God, where to start.

££££ - have spent a fortune at the vet, let alone on her and her paraphernalia, dog training etc
Solitude - loved my tiny bit of solitude. Obviously it helps that she can't talk!
Looking even vaguely smart - have a constant covering of hair now
The house also has a constant covering of hair
Hygiene - she sleeps in the kitchen, but I balance that by thinking about how good she is for the children's immune systems
Clean walls
Empty hoover
Spontaneous days out
My back - she was good but has started pulling
Friends - a few people don't like dogs

BUT - I adore her. She is the best thing we have done since having children. We had to leave her at home on Saturday as she was ill and I spent the whole time pining and looking at other people's dogs. Should have got one years ago

Having people over he growls and barks (and sometimes nips) any stranger in our house.

Lie ins (he won't pee in the garden so we have to take him for a walk early otherwise the poor boy will burst

Clean floors - as soon as I sweep there is more hair! But it's ok because we can't have visitors so it doesn't matter if our house is full of hair

Wearing dresses and tights, doing my hair, my lawn; my depression.

Enough money to buy a house in Newcastle on vets fees for 3 operations, x Rays, post op care etc, sleep (slept on sofa for 6 months during said operations to keep him under scrutiny), social life (cannot now be left alone due to him enjoying constant supervision during said operations) evenings out (impossible to get a babysitter who can also deal with potential big dog zoomies), holiday abroad this summer (could not leave him in kennels as recuperating), kids having friends around during 6mth period as dog could get excited and jeopardise leg op by prancing. Leaving house to go anywhere unless accompanied by large, excitable dog. School sports day (could not leave dog). Going to stop now as too depressing.....

But I luffs him

Pastel/pale bedding. Have to pick colours and designs that won't show the occasional, OK regular, muddy pawprints.

SweetLathyrus do you mean your dog has caused or relieved your depression?

Toast, Pup was an enormous part of getting over depression, and social anxiety, so I 'gave up' being insular and frightened. He makes me smile everyday, and now comes to work with me and makes other people smile too , so the hair, the dresses, the lawn are no real loss!

Aw, my back lawn is pockmarked with girl dog wee. They eat the manure we put down when working a vegetable bed. They shed. We struggle to go on big holidays as can't bear to put them in kennels so pay out the nose for their amazing dog walker to house sit. But I can't stress enough that these few inconveniences far outweigh the absolute joy they bring us!

We are going to visit a rescue dog tomorrow - we have been thinking about getting a dog for a while, and met this one at the vet for her mange when we took a hedgehog with a broken leg in. The stars aligned for us to meet her. This thread was exactly what I needed to read to get me thinking about the realities of owning a dog again. She is so gorgeous, I want a shadow who makes me wake up early!

Just re reading this and I just remembered that I have up having back problems. I was frequently grounded by this even though I've regularly walked everywhere my whole life. Walking my dogs has strengthened my core and I haven't had anything more than a twinge ever since!

All the money they cost us, the lack of holidays, the hair, the destruction, the work and so on and so on; still all worth it.

It's wonderful what dogs bring to our lives. You won't regret it EmMcK.

My bed... When the puppy came home, back in 3 months ago, I moved down to the sofa so I could let him out as and when he needed during that delightful house training stage.

I'm still there! Keep meaning to move back upstairs, but there's still too much in my room that is chewable and it's just easier to contain him in half of the downstairs and keep all the precious things outside of his range. Moving upstairs at night would mean more baby gates needed (to keep the study/box room a dog-free-zone as that's where the fat cat lives - the other two tolerate the puppy, but fat cat is a bit particular) and another hour or so rearranging the more edible things in the next part of the house.

He'll grow out of it eventually, right? He's only 5 1/2 months, so it's still early days.

The older dog is 2 1/2 years and has settled right down - other than the constant shedding of white fluff I think he's alright. Well, other than the awful breath, but the green dentastix sort that out. And he's super needy, but he was my only dog for a while and I'm still his only person so it's a thing I have to accept is a part of him.

Many of the above plus a straight nose.

Yes he did indeed break my nose whilst playing.

Today.
It really hurt now it's numb.