How does a dog change your life?

[labamba18]

My husband and I are thinking of adopting a dog, but we want to go into this right and make sure we are 100% certain before we make a decision.

So I’d like to ask, how has having a dog changed your life?

Some people have advised me they are very tying - it’s difficult to go on holiday or leave the house. How do families manage it?

I’d rather know everything rather than rush in and make the wrong decision!

I have rescue dogs and they are awesome. Having a dog does really does impact on your life of course: you need to plan going out, when to be back, money for food and vet, etc. Totally worth it!

@Thatcannotberight - Is that a Border terrier ? I have one. Such lovely dogs

Yes, she's my second Border. The first didn't do this. Being sat on was very unexpected. 🤣

If you get the right dog for you then the restraints won't bother you too much, the wrong dog and it can seem as though you're tied down to a money pit!

Can I suggest to you for walks around a local park that lots of dogs use? You will get chatting to other dog owners and it may help you make up your mind.

Good training is the most important thing: kids and dogs, well behaved ones welcome almost everywhere, badly behaved ones welcome nowhere!

I'm on my 3rd. Other two sadly no longer with us but got to 15 and nearly 17. They all had their own personalities. This one ( 3 nearly 4) loves his runs but when I am watching a film he curls round my shoulders or snuggles on the sofa with his chin on my legs. That photo could have been this little one. I think they are The Best Dogs Ever and he just makes me happy. (Except when he barks at the Hoover - hoovers are his mortal enemy - but I'll put up with that 😂🐾)

Here's mine - Not a photo but lovely lady I know draws dogs so this was for DH's birthday

When we got AwkwardPup we thought we'd just take him everywhere we went; however its proved difficult at times, mainly during the summer as often it is too hot for him at events or national trust type places, so we either leave him at home & visit for a shorter period or take him but spend a lot of time ensuring we are in the shade, lugging around extra water etc. Finding adhoc daycare on holiday if you want to visit a non-dog friendly attraction is really tricky.

With DS arriving it has been more tricky to juggle alone - he wants to go in the playground, dogs aren't allowed, he wants to feed the ducks, AwkwardPup wants to chase them/bark at them (spaniel) - so we really need to both go along & then divide & conquer. Difficult to drag toddler out for a walk in bad weather too.

I also didn't anticipate how much grooming he'd take - I enjoy it mostly but 20 mins of de-burring him after today's walk was a bit annoying & meant I didn't get other tasks done. He is guaranteed to roll in fox poo or wallow in a bog if I'm short on time.

I bloody love him, but he is a time consuming responsibility!

Someone said to me that a dog is the only creature that loves you more than it loves itself. I adore mine, he makes days out difficult, holidays less so because he can stay with my mum, but she’s a bit far for a day. He gets me out of the house every day, I invested the time and training him and I’ve got a really lovely dog at the end of it.