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Am I being selfish to want to adopt a dog?

89 replies

blobby10 · 28/11/2023 15:11

Following my divorce in 2015 our two labradors and now young adult children stayed with me. Dogs died in 2017 and 2018 (both aged 14) . My partner died Nov 22 and children all live away and I'm wondering whether to try to adopt a dog but I'm worried its for selfish reasons as I'm lonely.

I work full time - not an issue as I run the business and the dog can come to work with me in the offices and on the rare occasions I visit customers. There are numerous footpaths and fields to walk in between home and work if we get fed up with walking around home plus my parents have two big fields we could use.

I live alone except for DS#2 who is temporarily living with me and working at home - dog could stay with him at home initially until she settles? House has a garden albeit it small.

If my plans comes to fruition I will get a one person caravan in the spring and plan to visit many areas of the UK for weekend trips to go walking which obv dog would come too.
My main hobbies are gym (when I'm fit) 90 mins at 5am. cycling is 2-3 hours a day at the weekend and occasionally after work in the summer. I don't go abroad or visit friends for weekends or do any social stuff.
My parents and two sisters all have adopted dogs and I have learned a huge amount from them - things to do and not to do! . I am much much calmer and quieter than I was when we had the labradors and don't have young children or grandchildren around. Am I the right sort of person to be considered suitable to adopt a dog or does the fact that I work full time preclude me?

OP posts:
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Icequeen01 · 16/12/2023 17:32

I have so been waiting for this update! She's utterly gorgeous. So, so pleased for you and Shiba 🥰

Floralnomad · 16/12/2023 17:48

Congratulations to both of you , she looks a little like my Patterdale mix so may be some terrier in there .

Ellmau · 16/12/2023 17:59

Lovely! I hope she settles in quickly.

Vicliz24 · 16/12/2023 18:21

So very happy for you and for her ♥️

Wineisnottheanswer · 16/12/2023 22:17

What a lovely update. X

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 17/12/2023 08:23

❤️❤️❤️❤️ rehoming a dog is the best thing you can do. Our girl took a few weeks to settle but she’s so much part of the family and my shadow.

CatkinToadflax · 17/12/2023 09:23

Oh my goodness what a wholesome, heartwarming thread! I hope you and Shiba are enjoying morning snuggles, OP. ❤️ And that you have the most wonderful life together.

blobby10 · 18/12/2023 15:17

My 48 hour update: We have renamed her Layla - somehow Shiba didn't suit her once we had spent time together!! She is amazing and adorable and everything I could have wished for. She's house trained, sleeps quietly in her bed next to mine (we did have one attempt to jump on my bed!) all night,asks to go out, travels well in the car, pulls a bit on the lead but not horrendously so. She's unsure around other dogs but I think its more excitement or not knowing what to do with herself rather than aggression or fear. I have several canine friends lined up to help her with this over the coming weeks Grin.

On Thursday we are going to my parents house to borrow their field so she can have a good long run off the lead. Her recall on the lead is excellent (or maybe its just the treats!) but even if she doesn't come back immediately the field is secure enough for me to cope.

Thank you all of you for encouraging me to go for it - life has a purpose again and getting up at 5am is way more enjoyable than lying in bed awake with no reason to get up ❤❤❤

OP posts:
Ellmau · 18/12/2023 19:35

A lovely new update.

Mrsjayy · 18/12/2023 19:38

aww Layla💗

Passmethegin67 · 19/12/2023 12:16

So pleased for you Blobby10. She is gorgeous. Wouldn't be without my dog... they are such great company for us single mums of adult children!

Ohyoudodoyou · 19/12/2023 12:33

That's a beautiful dog, and what a happy update!

Mumofyellows · 01/01/2024 15:02

100% do it! They will enrich your life so much, and you will give a dog an absolutely wonderful home. We have a rescue, one of our labs came to us straight from a council pound after being bred as a puppy farm dog, she took a while to adjust to being a pet but honestly is the most rewarding thing we have done and she is an absolute poppet now, totally settled and has an incredible temperament. Try Team Edward Labrador rescue!

Mumofyellows · 01/01/2024 15:05

Awww I Just saw toi actually have one now, amazing! I'm very happy for you and your beautiful new pup!

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