The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: greenmimama on November 20, 2015, 06:03:28 PM
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I have got dog fever in a bad way. Bad! I visited a friend today and her dog was the sweetest, like she loved me within minutes of meeting me and melted into my lap.
It doesn't hurt that she is the exact kind of dog I want, a 3 year old mini Golden Doodle, they are so cute! But I really want an adult dog, but forget the rescues, those organizations won't let you adopt if you have young children, my youngest is still 4.5. I'm not sure if that is to protect the child or the dog or both, it just seems so weird that you can Buy a dog and it doesn't matter the kids you have at home but if you want to rescue a dog then the stipulations are larger and more entailed and when we adopted our children.
Anyways, I really need some help with this dog fever, I want one so bad, for years now! Ugh.
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Vet care and boarding are expensive, and you have to make sure you get home to let a dog out. Sometimes they poop on your floor. That is about the extent of the negatives I have with my dog. Oh, and they don't live as long as you will, so there is the inevitable heartbreak.
I always say...dogs are a lifestyle choice, cats are not.
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Maybe you should find a different rescue organization. The one I volunteer with certainly adopts to families with children, provided it is a good fit for the dog and the entire family.
One potential negative not already listed is that the dog might have way more energy than you can handle. Again, with a proper fit, this isn't a problem.
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I have so far only found that one rescue, do you know of any?
The fit to our family is very important to me, also why I want an adult dog so the personality isn't an unknown
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When they attack a skunk and run directly into the house after being sprayed and into every room and jump on the couch. Took over a week for the smell to go away. Had to get rid of the couch. (This has happened twice).
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When they attack a skunk and run directly into the house after being sprayed and into every room and jump on the couch. Took over a week for the smell to go away. Had to get rid of the couch. (This has happened twice).
Oh my gosh, gross. Poor baby, poor you for having to live with it!
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Most recent worst part of having a dog: shampooing your carpets at 1am because your dog is vomiting every five minutes from eating an entire box of chocolate cookies.
Previous worst part of having a dog: thousands of dollars of medical bills, and watching your animals suffer, because you failed to protect them from something.
Long term worst part of having a dog: killing it. Some day you will have to decide to end your dog's life, and it is always heartbreaking.
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Get your dog. He'll bring more joy than you can ever imagine.
Worst part--saying goodbye.
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Get your dog. He'll bring more joy than you can ever imagine.
Worst part--saying goodbye.
Seconded. I buried my Rex today. It hurts to lose him after 15 years but I wouldn't trade those years for anything.
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Daily walks in all weather patterns? Wet dog smell? Big poops to scoop?
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Oh, Amanda, I am so sorry for your loss. Definitely, death doing you part is the worst part of having a dog. And as Sol said, seeing your dog suffer is another one. With our dog, he is epileptic. A few weekends ago, he had 10 seizures. It broke my heart. We adjusted his meds and he recovered quickly. But other than that, I doubt there are any secret down sides.
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My condolences Amanda. First day is pretty much a daze. First week is sad. In a weird way, it's a good sort of sadness.
You're honoring Rex's memory by remembering what a loving being. That can never be taken away.
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Get your dog. He'll bring more joy than you can ever imagine.
Worst part--saying goodbye.
Seconded. I buried my Rex today. It hurts to lose him after 15 years but I wouldn't trade those years for anything.
Amanda: I am very sorry for your loss.
Worst part of having a dog is when they have severe, costly, complicated medical conditions.
One rescue I've had 12 years, who I put down 3 weeks ago, had seizures after being hit by a car. So she'd pee/poop in my bed at times. The metal pins in her hip deteriorated the joint and the nerves, and she had no control over her bowels, and had trouble walking...it was time. It broke my heart to do it but it was the kindest thing...
At 4am this past Monday, another rescue dog had a severe grand mal seizure in the middle of my bed: hacking/flopping/rigid contortion/spewing white foam, while peeing/pooping. In addition to her seizure meds, the vet gave me a liquid valium shot to insert rectally to try and bring her out of a seizure if it's as long/complicated because "if they seize that long, they don't come out...I think this might be a brain tumor given her age and behavior".
So...we'll see. The vet bill was $391, the Costco pharmacy was $94.
That said...dogs are the best friend you'll ever have, they'll keep you active, and I wouldn't live without at least one.
And hey: they're a fraction of the cost of horses! (it's all relative)
But I second the person who suggested volunteering at a shelter: if it's just a part time jones for wet noses and warm furry cuddles....you may be ok with that.
Doubtful...
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My mother's dog that I watch sometimes likes to spread his food all over the house... *sigh* great dog though.
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Warning...extremely gross...
Worst part so far (excluding death): cleaning dog poop out of the cab of your truck after the dog had a panic attack, lost control over all bodily functions, and then ran through it over and over smearing it all over him and grinding it into the cloth seats.
Second worse: coming home to a kennel full of poop and a dog with gums bleeding because he had another panic attack and chewed on the kennel.
Btw, our dog is fine now (8 years later) and only has remnants of anxiety. But for the first two years after we adopted him, it was hell for him and us.
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Get your dog. He'll bring more joy than you can ever imagine.
Worst part--saying goodbye.
Seconded. I buried my Rex today. It hurts to lose him after 15 years but I wouldn't trade those years for anything.
So sorry for your loss Amanda, fearing that moment.
For my dog, he's done plenty of bad things over the years but hardly even worth mentioning as the goods overpower the bads by a ton. Vet bills were cheap all up until this month (he's almost 12). I'm 27, so my dog has been with me for nearly half my life, and all of my adult life. He's simply something that I've always taken care of and revolved certain things around. I feel like id have a huge gap in my life without him.
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Warning...extremely gross...
Worst part so far (excluding death): cleaning dog poop out of the cab of your truck after the dog had a panic attack, lost control over all bodily functions, and then ran through it over and over smearing it all over him and grinding it into the cloth seats.
Second worse: coming home to a kennel full of poop and a dog with gums bleeding because he had another panic attack and chewed on the kennel.
Btw, our dog is fine now (8 years later) and only has remnants of anxiety. But for the first two years after we adopted him, it was hell for him and us.
I feel your pain. And have been there.
The dog who just had the seizure gets car sickness. I found this out by driving up a mountain road with no turnouts: while she vomited nonstop on my head from the back seat. It's a Ford Escape: she could have turned her head to the right, or gotten into the far back....but no. Had to share the love.
As for your anxiety pup: I had a dog who I thought would have a heart attack every thunderstorm. I started out with one benydryl, then two, then finally got him prescription meds and would play music at max volume to mask the storm.
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Amanda, I'm so sorry you don't have Rex anymore. I hope you have lots of great memories with him.
Growing up we lived in the country in a time when not all dogs were indoor dogs. Everyone I knew who had a dog had it outdoors. We had a sweet Collie, boy she had a great life chasing rabbits and treeing raccoons.
This time it will be an indoor dog, unless we are outside playing all together. I really just need to find the right kind of dog.
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There are no worst parts. If you're a dog person, that's what you are.
Our dogs are family. No amount of money is too much to spend on them. Not very mustachian, but that's the truth.
The amount of joy they bring to our lives throughout the years is immeasurable.
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Monday my dog has a surgery. Low estimate: $950. High estimate: $1,300.
This is on top of February, when what was supposed to be a relatively simple teeth cleaning ($350-450) turned into multiple extractions including some minor jaw surgery and antibiotics ($850).
That being said, I love my dog. And I love Dogs. And I will always have a fur-child in my life. They bring so much joy into my life.
And Amanda: I am so, deeply sorry.
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Crazy mystery midnight shenanigans just when you're getting the first decent night's sleep in a week. (My two say hi, or would if they weren't busy fending off the invading invisible raccoon army or whatever.)
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http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2015/09/07/great-news-dog-ownership-is-optional/
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The heart-stopping fear when you think your dog is lost (he isn't, he just got fed up looking for you and went home).
They show you personality traits you never knew you had (they pick up physical and verbal cues like nobody's business).
If you aren't good at regular housework, you will either become so or lower your standards markedly. Especially if you have a long-haired collie that likes water and you live in a rural/seaside area. (I'm not saying which solution I've adopted).
You have to learn to plan your longer outings and travel, so that you can either take the dog with you or have someone else look after it while you go.
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I think just if something bad happens to them, and when they die. And planning their bathroom schedule with your schedule is different.
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I think it's also important to say, and hopefully not patronizing or something like that, that you know you can give the dog the time, discipline, exercise, and love they need. Dogs are not happier if they think they're in charge.
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I've said this in another thread, but if you don't have a fenced yard and doggie door, remember: they still have to pee when you have the flu.
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Thank you for the condolences every one. Today felt weird when I got out of bed. My first thought was 'better get dressed so I can go feed Rex' (he was an outside dog) and then I thought 'oh wait, I don't have to feed him anymore'. And then I turned on my stereo and just sat in my room for a little bit and thought about the good memories.
The heart-stopping fear when you think your dog is lost (he isn't, he just got fed up looking for you and went home).
They show you personality traits you never knew you had (they pick up physical and verbal cues like nobody's business).
If you aren't good at regular housework, you will either become so or lower your standards markedly. Especially if you have a long-haired collie that likes water and you live in a rural/seaside area. (I'm not saying which solution I've adopted).
You have to learn to plan your longer outings and travel, so that you can either take the dog with you or have someone else look after it while you go.
Oh formerplayer that brought back a good memory. When I was in college my mom told me she went out to feed Rex and his chain led right into his doghouse. But there was no Rex on the end of that chain. Her and Dad went looking for him, driving around the neighborhood and calling his name. After over an hour they turned back towards the house and when they rounded the corner there he was. My dad said he had the biggest shit-eating grin on his face. They opened the back door of the car and he hopped right in. Mom said he looked very pleased with himself. :)
Get your dog. He'll bring more joy than you can ever imagine.
Worst part--saying goodbye.
Seconded. I buried my Rex today. It hurts to lose him after 15 years but I wouldn't trade those years for anything.
So sorry for your loss Amanda, fearing that moment.
For my dog, he's done plenty of bad things over the years but hardly even worth mentioning as the goods overpower the bads by a ton. Vet bills were cheap all up until this month (he's almost 12). I'm 27, so my dog has been with me for nearly half my life, and all of my adult life. He's simply something that I've always taken care of and revolved certain things around. I feel like id have a huge gap in my life without him.
Trixr I know how you feel. I was 11 when we got Rex as an eight-week old fuzzball and I'm 26 now. It just feels so weird to have him gone when he was here for over half my life. It's gonna take a while to get used to not watching him run around the back yard chasing squirrels.
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I'm so sorry about Rex. Sounds like you gave him a good life.
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There are no worst parts. If you're a dog person, that's what you are.
Our dogs are family. No amount of money is too much to spend on them. Not very mustachian, but that's the truth.
The amount of joy they bring to our lives throughout the years is immeasurable.
Exactly. We lost three labs to old age in a period of 18 months. Put me in a serious funk for a couple of months, and I had a hard time finding a reason to wake up in the morning. I'm not saying this to depress anyone, but damn, losing a dog is incredibly difficult.
The SO suggested we look at some rescues. And now we have a 18 month old chocolate lab that makes us laugh so much. I get up at 5:30 every morning because he needs to eat and be let out! And it gives me yet another reason to go to the beach on a Saturday morning.
So much joy everyday. And we still cry about our other old pups but then laugh at each other and say "Damn dogs!" 😄
Never a dull moment. Sorry about pic size (too dumb to fix.)
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Major drawbacks:
-makes travel difficult (boarding costs are no joke)
-medical bills can be expensive, especially later in its life
-the inevitable heartbreak from the death of what ultimately becomes a family member, or having to choose that yourself to save the animal from suffering (this part is miserable).
With those things in mind, the positives, IMO, far outweigh the drawbacks.
It's impossible to put a price tag on something that brings you such joy, and loves you unconditionally no matter what.
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Dogs are way more work than cats. They are much more expensive to deal with if you travel (boarding is expensive vs. having neighbor check on cats 1x a day). Cleaning up dog poop inside and outside for the entirety of their lives. Dog farts.
I spent $2000 this week on emergency vet care and a dog neurologist because my dog contracted a tick-borne illness despite being treTed win frontline. She is a 2 1/2 year old golden and has otherwise been completely healthy. Wednesday morning she was paralyzed. Fortunately on the mend now.
You can see from my avatar that she is extremely cute and she has the best disposition of any dog I've ever known. So,Mathis makes up for the downsides.
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The good parts are worth the worst of the worst parts. They are family.
I highly recommend volunteering to foster dogs. That really gives you an idea as to how a dog will fit into your lifestyle, because it's hardest when you and the dog don't have a routine worked out yet -- so any dog that is yours will be easier than a foster. Plus this is a great way to evaluate exactly what you are looking for in a dog.
That said, we foster failed (adopted) our very first dog.....but he is a truly excellent dog, and we knew that we clicked.
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After all these sad comments about dogs passing away I thought it was appropriate to point out there is a website where you can search any movie to find out: Does the dog die?
https://www.doesthedogdie.com/ (https://www.doesthedogdie.com/)
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After all these sad comments about dogs passing away I thought it was appropriate to point out there is a website where you can search any movie to find out: Does the dog die?
https://www.doesthedogdie.com/ (https://www.doesthedogdie.com/)
Oh god thank you.
I am still crushed by I Am Legend. SO NOT OKAY.
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Most recent worst part of having a dog: shampooing your carpets at 1am because your dog is vomiting every five minutes from eating an entire box of chocolate cookies.
Previous worst part of having a dog: thousands of dollars of medical bills, and watching your animals suffer, because you failed to protect them from something.
Long term worst part of having a dog: killing it. Some day you will have to decide to end your dog's life, and it is always heartbreaking.
Forget vomit. I had a week long uncontrolled diarrhea festival with 2 weinerdogs both with the shits in a 1 bedroom apartment. I eventually just covered the entire floor with newspaper from wall to wall.
But yes, the loss (and making the decision) is the worst part. Amanda, my heart goes out to you since yours was so recent. Been there. It's awful.
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Amanda, I am so sorry to hear about Rex. :(
To the OP: like someone else said, the good parts outweigh the bad. My dog peed on my brand new rug (sigh), once had explosive diarrhea (and I mean explosive, like it was on the WALLS), and is sometimes annoying when she wants to play or do something and I need to work or get stuff done. A few weeks ago she was sick and was throwing up and had diarrhea every 2-3 hours. In the middle of the night. And I wake up at 5:30am to go to work (sigh again).
My dog is very low maintenance but like someone mentioned, if you are sick, feel like shit, etc. you still have to take the dog out. Rainy and cold days too (I don't have a yard). On the plus side, sick and/or rainy day cuddles are the best!
I am not sure how I would manage a dog and young kids since they are not old enough to "help out," per se. My dog requires very little effort compared to other dogs - she sleeps most of the day and is not high maintenance - but sometimes with a busy schedule I struggle to give her the attention she wants.
Wouldn't trade it for anything :)
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All the replies are spot on. Some rescues won't let you adopt a small dog unless your youngest is 10 but that is to protect the dog. I can't imagine not adopting a bigger dog to a family with kids. Besides rescues look at your local Humane Society & other local shelters. You can often register your breed preference & they will call you when your breed comes in. Many pure bred dogs end up in local animal shelters.
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I have always had a dog and will always have a dog, but the 2 biggest problems for me is 1. not being able to be away from home for more than 6 - 8 hours without arranging for someone to let the dog out. 2. Dog hair everywhere. I have been cleaning the house to get ready for Thanksgiving and dog hair is in every crook and nanny. Every morning when I get to work, I have to get the tape out to get the hair off my clothes. I know that some dogs don't shed, but those generally need a lot of grooming. But I wouldn't sell him for a million dollars.
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http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2015/09/07/great-news-dog-ownership-is-optional/
http://frugalvagabond.com/2015/09/17/dog-ownership-is-optional-and-wonderful/
(As much as I hate just dropping a link to my own blog without discussion, it seemed called for here)
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http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2015/09/07/great-news-dog-ownership-is-optional/
http://frugalvagabond.com/2015/09/17/dog-ownership-is-optional-and-wonderful/
(As much as I hate just dropping a link to my own blog without discussion, it seemed called for here)
Or uncalled for...this thread is completely one sided and you offer no differing opinion. Balance is a virtue.
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Dog hating people be gone from our dog love fest:)) WE actually have 3 Maltese that don't shed but the grooming costs are expensive.
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I love dogs! The one thing I do not like about dogs is the anal gland that may go of arty any time! Okay, it's not that frequent, but when it does happen, it'll gas you out of the house. This is one of the things that groomers take care of, God bless them, but if you want to save money by grooming on your own or have a dog that doesn't need it, you need to have a plan. Apparently you need to "relieve the pressure" every several weeks.
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I like dogs, a lot. But seeing what friends go through, here are the worst:
1. Dog vomit on the carpet. Again.
2. Dog hair everywhere, dog nose prints on every glass surface, all the time. (This one is not so bad, you know what to expect, at least)
3. Insisting that your dog is at least 2 years before being neutered, to have a "natural" hormone system, then having to put up with dogs in heat, teenage dog attitude issues, etc.
4. Dog that turns out to be half blind and wildly barks at everything, because it doesn't remember the postman (who now has put a dangerous dog note on your address file, just from hearing your dog through the door)
5. Finding out you are highly allergic about 18 months in to a dog that you wildly love.
6. Finding out your dog has not only dominance behaviours that make the dog park difficult, but possible, but now growls and acts aggressively to the new baby, so you need to rehome her after spending $6000 and 8 months on dog / owner training.
7. Dogs chew up your walls. I met a dog that would chew drywall and wood trim while owner were away from home. big holes in the laundry room and the stairwell where the dog would be kenneled.
8. Dog sitters needed for the weekends away, or long day trips.
9. One friend ends up kenneling her dog for a week at a time, just to get things done, like painting the house. Fees are enormous, several weeks out of each year.
10. Some dogs need extra grooming to keep healthy -- something about glands and all that..
My biggest reason not to have a dog -- I work out of the home for 10 hours per day. Some dogs are fine, but some dogs are such people pleasers that this is utter hell for them.. I can't stand the thought of leaving a dog with that nature alone for so long. It breaks my heart when I see neighbors doing this.
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http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2015/09/07/great-news-dog-ownership-is-optional/
http://frugalvagabond.com/2015/09/17/dog-ownership-is-optional-and-wonderful/
(As much as I hate just dropping a link to my own blog without discussion, it seemed called for here)
Or uncalled for...this thread is completely one sided and you offer no differing opinion. Balance is a virtue.
Indeed it is, but there is little conversational value in simply posting a link to a post on this very blog with no discussion whatsoever. Most or all of us are MMM readers, if you have thoughts on the matter that are your own, those are merited and welcome, regardless of which view you take. I posted my response to MMM's thoughts, because it struck me as silly to "link and run."
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I like dogs, a lot. But seeing what friends go through, here are the worst:
1. Dog vomit on the carpet. Again.
2. Dog hair everywhere, dog nose prints on every glass surface, all the time. (This one is not so bad, you know what to expect, at least)
3. Insisting that your dog is at least 2 years before being neutered, to have a "natural" hormone system, then having to put up with dogs in heat, teenage dog attitude issues, etc.
4. Dog that turns out to be half blind and wildly barks at everything, because it doesn't remember the postman (who now has put a dangerous dog note on your address file, just from hearing your dog through the door)
5. Finding out you are highly allergic about 18 months in to a dog that you wildly love.
6. Finding out your dog has not only dominance behaviours that make the dog park difficult, but possible, but now growls and acts aggressively to the new baby, so you need to rehome her after spending $6000 and 8 months on dog / owner training.
7. Dogs chew up your walls. I met a dog that would chew drywall and wood trim while owner were away from home. big holes in the laundry room and the stairwell where the dog would be kenneled.
8. Dog sitters needed for the weekends away, or long day trips.
9. One friend ends up kenneling her dog for a week at a time, just to get things done, like painting the house. Fees are enormous, several weeks out of each year.
10. Some dogs need extra grooming to keep healthy -- something about glands and all that..
My biggest reason not to have a dog -- I work out of the home for 10 hours per day. Some dogs are fine, but some dogs are such people pleasers that this is utter hell for them.. I can't stand the thought of leaving a dog with that nature alone for so long. It breaks my heart when I see neighbors doing this.
I agree with all of these, particularly 2, 8 and 9. 5 is very bad luck. Although -
1. Dog vomit is usually because the dog was allowed to eat something it shouldn't, which is poor care or poor training.
3, 4 6, 7 and 9 are all owner problems (poor choices, poor training, poor handling, poor care) more than dog issues.
People who leave a dog alone at home all day are being cruel - dogs need company. Even paying for a dog walker for an hour at lunchtime when the home is empty for 8 to 10 hours 5 days a week is not good enough in my book. I would never have a dog while I worked full time, and waited until I was FIREd to get my first dog.
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http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2015/09/07/great-news-dog-ownership-is-optional/
http://frugalvagabond.com/2015/09/17/dog-ownership-is-optional-and-wonderful/
(As much as I hate just dropping a link to my own blog without discussion, it seemed called for here)
Or uncalled for...this thread is completely one sided and you offer no differing opinion. Balance is a virtue.
Indeed it is, but there is little conversational value in simply posting a link to a post on this very blog with no discussion whatsoever. Most or all of us are MMM readers, if you have thoughts on the matter that are your own, those are merited and welcome, regardless of which view you take. I posted my response to MMM's thoughts, because it struck me as silly to "link and run."
"No discussion whatsoever" Read the pages of comments after that post, many more posts than this thread. I value efficiency and provided a means to more information and opinions. It is a shame that you do not find value in that.
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People who leave a dog alone at home all day are being cruel - dogs need company. Even paying for a dog walker for an hour at lunchtime when the home is empty for 8 to 10 hours 5 days a week is not good enough in my book. I would never have a dog while I worked full time, and waited until I was FIREd to get my first dog.
Totally agree with this...unfortunately the majority that I know do exactly this. :(
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Depending on your dog's personality (and how much you have trained them...) they can make visits for friends uncomfortable.
Brother's dog really likes sitting on people. At 35lbs on small feet, he usually manages to occlude an artery or two. When we have friends over and Brother's dog is at the house, he will perch on them the whole time- covering them with hair, making their legs go numb, and blocking their view of the TV if we're watching things.
Luckily, we have all dog-loving friends, and some people visit particularly to experience a bit of this addictive yet maddening abuse by these fuzzy things. But that's a self-fulfilling prophesy- people that don't like dogs don't stay long.
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I am a stay at home mom, and we are home a lot.
I wouldn't get a dog otherwise, I know they love people!
We do have my in laws who would dog sit for us and I'm pretty sure once my mom fell in love with him or her, we could bring them along when we go to visit them.
As far as grooming, I'm looking at a wheaten Terrier, seems they are non shedding but need grooming. Can I learn to do that on my own? I am a hairdresser by trade. I feel like I could do it well. What sort of special tools do I need. Can you pay a groomer to just do the anal glands?
I would love to foster a dog, it seems like it would be a great way to test drive dog ownership.
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You can pay a groomer just to do the anal glands & if you want them to cut their nails they will do that too. When we both worked f.t. we always had 2 dogs so that they were company for each other & not alone. So many dogs need homes so if everyone waits until they are home all the time many dogs will be killed by shelters for lack of space.
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My parents just spent $1,800 on their basset hound because he swallowed a corn cob (multiple vet visits, tests and ultimately surgery to remove it).
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*glurrrp*
*gluuurrrpp*
*GLLLLUUUUUURUURRRRRRRPPPPP*
. . . at three in the morning. As my dog vomits some poop that she ate that didn't agree with her all over my sheets and comforter. Not a fun night.
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*glurrrp*
*gluuurrrpp*
*GLLLLUUUUUURUURRRRRRRPPPPP*
. . . at three in the morning. As my dog vomits some poop that she ate that didn't agree with her all over my sheets and comforter. Not a fun night.
This is by FAR the fastest way to get me out of bed. My dog used to vomit regularly and the sound of him starting to heave would wake me up from a dead sleep, out of bed, running to open the door for him in about 2 seconds. My alarm clock however doesn't have the same impact. It usually takes 45 minutes to get me up.
Since February when I changed the type of dog food my dog hasn't vomited.
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You can pay a groomer just to do the anal glands & if you want them to cut their nails they will do that too. When we both worked f.t. we always had 2 dogs so that they were company for each other & not alone. So many dogs need homes so if everyone waits until they are home all the time many dogs will be killed by shelters for lack of space.
When my dog was a puppy I'd come home at lunch every day to let him out, and most but not all days as he got older. With my new job I am away for about 8 hours and can't be home for lunch. Part of my reason for my FIRE goals are to be able to spend more time with him, but until then he's home alone (or with a foster dog, or with my boyfriend when he was working remotely from my home the past summer). Even with the foster dogs I have they are far happier being in a home with no humans around for 8 hours 5 days a week than they are stuck in the kennel. It's not perfect, but it's an improvement. Being away at work so often just means I don't feel comfortable having whelping fosters or puppies or many medical fosters.
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Sitting today, waiting for the next 7 hours to hear how Dog's surgery went.
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On both the vomiting, and the eating of poop: my dog would not leave the "tootsie rolls" in the litter box alone. It was almost a compulsion he couldn't help and would cause him to throw up.
I've posted it before, so pardon a repeat post.
Dog proof, stink proof cat abode:
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ofJYubic0rw/TvAATJYeCVI/AAAAAAAAExo/eMbS6Ethy1I/s640/catroom_half.jpg)
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Well, I'm not a dog person. I like cats (see my picture? That's my Sibley. <----------- ) But this works for any type of animal.
If you want any animal, make sure that your lifestyle will allow you to properly care for the animal - food, exercise, play time, vet care, etc. If not, it's not fair to the animal.
Re: getting an animal. Please don't buy one. There's so many animals that need a good home, you're sure to find one at a shelter. Animals end up in shelters for many reasons - they're strays, abused, abandoned, or their owners loved them but couldn't care for them and surrendered them. Or their owners died. Or moved somewhere animals weren't allowed. Or had severe allergies that couldn't be controlled.
If the shelters/rescues won't adopt to families with children, then they're not doing their job. The presence of kids needs to be considered. Some animals won't do well, some will. But that should be determined based on the individual animal, not a blanket ban. Find another shelter.
I volunteer at a shelter (I work with cats). Animals are individually evaluated to determine what will or won't work with them. Need to be an only pet? No kids? Older kids only? Quiet home? Active lifestyle? Then prospective adopters are interviewed to determine if their lifestyle will be a good fit for the animal. If there's a particular animal that might be great with that family, they'll introduce them. If you really can't handle an animal for whatever reason, they'll tell you.
If your shelter isn't doing this, you need a better shelter. For both your and the animal's sake.
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I think the worst parts are, having to be home 3 times a day to take your dog out to go to the bathroom and for walks, big vet bills, and having to find a good place for him while you vacation, but all definitely worth it
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Warning...extremely gross...
Worst part so far (excluding death): cleaning dog poop out of the cab of your truck after the dog had a panic attack, lost control over all bodily functions, and then ran through it over and over smearing it all over him and grinding it into the cloth seats.
Second worse: coming home to a kennel full of poop and a dog with gums bleeding because he had another panic attack and chewed on the kennel.
Btw, our dog is fine now (8 years later) and only has remnants of anxiety. But for the first two years after we adopted him, it was hell for him and us.
I feel your pain. And have been there.
The dog who just had the seizure gets car sickness. I found this out by driving up a mountain road with no turnouts: while she vomited nonstop on my head from the back seat. It's a Ford Escape: she could have turned her head to the right, or gotten into the far back....but no. Had to share the love.
As for your anxiety pup: I had a dog who I thought would have a heart attack every thunderstorm. I started out with one benydryl, then two, then finally got him prescription meds and would play music at max volume to mask the storm.
It was separation anxiety. He was about a year old when we adopted him. He'd been abandoned (and possibly abused), then adopted and brought back a week later. So, essentially, he'd been dumped twice in his short life. Our vet actually had him on prozac for the better part of the first year or so to help take the edge off. Training and developing a routine also helped. In general, though, it just seemed like the longer he was part of the "pack" without being kicked out, the better he did.
Now that I'm trying to articulate it, I'm realizing the messes weren't the worst part. I mean, cleaning up poop every day was bad. But seeing the absolute anguish he was suffering, and knowing it was caused by people, was far worse.
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I'm a cat person, myself. But some dogs bark. A lot.
My neighbors have a poodle. When they take it for walks or are out in the yard with it, it's an angel. Beautifully trained.
When it's alone, it barks. Non stop. At everything.
It erupts into insane barking whenever someone approaches their home. It barks at anything and anyone it sees out the window. I can frequently hear it barking inside their house when all their windows are closed and I'm standing in my yard.
At every moment that someone in their household is not actively minding the dog, it barks.
It barks so much that people call animal control on it for noise complaints. And what do the owners do? Sit outside with it for awhile, trying to correct it if it barks. And the moment they pop inside for something - RUFF RUFF RUFF!!!
I'm sure that when they brought that little puppy home, they had no idea that they embarking on 10+ years of endless, exceedingly loud barking. They've clearly tried very hard to train the dog. It's obvious from their general attitude of ambivalence that the dog long ago ceased being a joy.
So the worst part about owning a dog... you have no idea what you're going to get. Even a puppy can grow up and have a problem.
That wouldn't stop me, mind you... but my personal preference with a dog, going from no-dogs to new dog owner, would be to foster-to-adopt.
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Separation anxiety is hard. We went through it with our dog. Very hard. She's not 100% better, but we're doing much better.
The worst part of my day is leaving my dog at home to go to work. She's my companion. I look forward to our runs, our walks, her naps while I read a book, and our training time.
Glad your dog is doing better now.
This thread is making me want to go home and hug my pup. Unfortunately, I have 6 more hours of stupid work before I can do that. Just another reason to FIRE. :)
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I have yet to have to say goodbye to a dog yet, however, I have already said if they live longer than 10 years, I should accept that they have lived an extremely long and nice life and they have reached the end of their journey.
The bad currently boarding, scratches on my wood floor, piss from my male marking, barking, SHEDDING.
I am learning to let these go. I know they pretty much dedicate themselves to their owners.
I think I take for granted how much they "fill" the house up. My boy is 6, girl is 3.5, and girl #2 is 2.
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...some dogs bark. A lot.
We have a neighbor with a barker. I can't do anything in the yard without being barked at constantly. We had a barker growing up, after trying everything else, a electronic bark collar worked well, but she knew the instant the battery went dead because the warning beep stopped and resumed her old behavior.
I have entertained the idea of getting a dog once FIRE (never could bear to leave one home alone), but after reading this thread I may hold off!
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...some dogs bark. A lot.
We have a neighbor with a barker. I can't do anything in the yard without being barked at constantly. We had a barker growing up, after trying everything else, a electronic bark collar worked well, but she knew the instant the battery went dead because the warning beep stopped and resumed her old behavior.
I have entertained the idea of getting a dog once FIRE (never could bear to leave one home alone), but after reading this thread I may hold off!
Beyond the barking, which is bad enough, but general bad behavior. Especially from small dogs, which some people don't seem to bother training because they're so small they can't cause damage. Um, yes, they can. They can still scratch me, bite me, chase my cats, pee on my front doorstep (true story, but that's more a commentary on the human than the dog), etc. EVERY dog needs basic training.
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For me, the worst part of dog ownership is the rigidity of care. I can't just drop everything and go on a trip without finding someone to take care of the dogs while I'm gone.
Also, now that they're aging, cleaning poop off the floor whenever the weather is too bad for the dogs to spend significant time outside is a mild inconvenience.
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Having a dog is like having a perpetual two-year-old. Super cute and you love them, but limited ability to communicate, can't get their own food or go to the bathroom by themselves, and add an added layer of planning to any vacations. I enjoy having friends and family with pets that I can visit and "borrow" from time to time, but ownership is not for me.
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The DW and I had a cat for two years and we got a puppy this summer.
We never had problems with the cat clawing at the furniture, but we're having a hard time training the dog to stay off the couch and it has taken a serious beating as he's grown.
He hates getting his nails cut (it takes both of us to hold him down and do it).
He has more energy than I do most days, so I feel bad for not going for more walks/runs with him.
He recently ate the charging cable to an xbox 1 controller that the DW was planning on returning. Not the most expensive thing in the world, but still frustrating.
If you can deal with those things on top of the frequent use of your house as a toilet until it gets trained, I think you'll be alright.
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I have had both dogs and cats and find cats MUCH easier. Dogs need to be walked. They can be hard to toilet train. They like to bark. They chew. They need to have nails clipped. Some dogs shed constantly. They need baths, since they like to roll in the feces of prey animals. Some need to have their anal glands emptied regularly, which is as fun a task as it sounds. They can have separation anxiety. We leave the cats for several weeks and just have someone come in once a day to care for them. You can't do that with a dog.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Lessons I've learned after a year with my Australian Cattle Dog puppy:
You didn't want to spend an extra hour hanging out with friends/family or take the scenic route home from wherever anyway, did you?
Good, because you need to get home to feed the dog.
You didn't want to go on an overnight trip or any lengthy vacation anyway, did you?
Good, because you have to contend with boarding fees or finding a sitter.
You didn't really want your friends/family over for dinner and get togethers anyway, did you?
Good, because either someone is allergic, hates dogs, or your loveable little fur baby will insist on terrorizing your guests no matter how much you work with him. And you can't force dog love on anyone. That's not how that works.
You didn't really want to be friends with your neighbor anyway, did you?
Good, because invariably someone will be upset about your dog for some stupid reason. (Existing, maybe?)
You wanted to get really good at fixing things anyway, right?
Good, because your puppy will attempt to seek and destroy everything. EVERYTHING.
You didn't really want a quiet minute of the day anyway, right?
Good, because all time that was not accounted for is now puppy time. Whether its watching him to make sure he doesn't get himself into something or entertaining him.
You didn't really want to sleep in anymore anyway, did you?
Good, because you need to get up to feed the dog and let him outside.
You wanted to ante-up on your cleaning schedule anyway, right?
Good, because there will be fur. A lot of fur. Everywhere. Your yard will have no more dirt, it'll be in your house. Your own in house dirt patch.
All that being said, I very much love my little nut mutt. It sounded like you (OP) were trying to find reasons so that you could talk yourself out of a dog and convince yourself not to get one. Everyone has offered plenty of good ones to vet and food bills to destruction of property. You have to decide what is right for you. Personally, a lot has happened to me in my dog's short life on this Earth and I probably wouldn't have made it with my sanity any where near intact if it hadn't been for him. But I pay for this comfort. He is my responsibility. He relies on me for everything. He can not care for himself. He can't even tell me when he's not feeling well. I even control when he gets to go to the bathroom (when he gets let outside). He can not feed himself. Or clean himself (in any meaningful way). That's a lot of fucking responsibility.
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Obligatory Oatmeal cartoon, understood by anyone who's ever owned dogs:
If my dogs were a pair of middle-aged men: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dogs_as_men
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Obligatory Oatmeal cartoon, understood by anyone who's ever owned dogs:
If my dogs were a pair of middle-aged men: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dogs_as_men
My favorite is: My dog, the paradox http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox (http://theoatmeal.com/comics/dog_paradox)
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I'm sure dog-lovers don't even notice these things anymore, but this is what stops me from getting one:
1. Imagine a cold rainy night. You're reading in bed and start to fall asleep. The dog needs to go out. Get up, change clothes, boots, umbrella, raincoat. YUCK. I just want to stay in my warm cozy bed.
2. Imagine Saturday morning and you just want to sleep an extra 15 minutes. But you can't. You have to get up because the dog wants out. Then realize this is going to happen EVERY. DAY. for at least 10 years.
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I thought about this thread again as I just found out that my college-age little sister brought home a pig for Thanksgiving. Mind you, none of us knew she had somehow acquired a pig and has been hiding it in her dorm room.
So... however bad or good you perceive having a dog to be, it'll never be "little sister bringing home a pig and now it's wandering around your parent's living room" bad.
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2. Imagine Saturday morning and you just want to sleep an extra 15 minutes. But you can't. You have to get up because the dog wants out. Then realize this is going to happen EVERY. DAY. for at least 10 years.
I'm a heavy sleeper. On the days my dog can't get me to wake up by nudging me with his cold, wet nose, he will bring his loudest squeaky toy into the bedroom and jump on it. Works every time.
Oh, and did I mention that he does this to me, not my husband? And even when my husband is awake before me, the dog has to wake Mommy to go out?
I often tell my dog that it's a good thing he's cute. My husband thinks I'm joking. I'm not. :P
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Is the pig cute?
I think it is, but I love all animals. Pic above in the post you quoted. Even as a complete softie when it comes to animals, I don't think it's prudent to have an exotic pet hidden in a dorm room! :)
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Is the pig cute?
I think it is, but I love all animals. Pic above in the post you quoted. Even as a complete softie when it comes to animals, I don't think it's prudent to have an exotic pet hidden in a dorm room! :)
I agree that pets in dormrooms are a bad idea. However, the pig is adorable!!!!!
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Plenty of horror stories here. How about a best-case scenario? I recently said goodbye to a dog that couldn't have been more wonderful and easy, but I still wouldn't recommend a dog to someone that wasn't ready for their lifestyle to change DRASTICALLY. So to answer your request, worst part about having even the best dog in the world? Your life now revolves more than a little bit around an animal. Cats are easy, you can leave a bunch of food and water, clean the litterbox, and take off for the weekend. They might bitch when you get back, but that's what cats do. Can't do that with a dog. You can't even go out after work without going home first. And then be ready to feel guilty in leaving him/her home alone all evening after just having left it home all day. Our dog is one part of our world, but we are 100% of theirs. When we're not there, even if they don't have separation anxiety, they're still just waiting for us to come home, which will once again be the best thing that's ever happened to them. Want to go on an all-day hike or other adventure? Hope your dog can go with you, or you have friends/family nearby that aren't going to get sick of running over to your house to let it out for you, or else you just won't be going.
I miss my dog dearly, she was one of the single best things that have happened to me, but it's going to be a while before I'm ready for that level of lifestyle restriction again. So yea, that's the part I would say to spend a lot of time thinking about: your current level of day-to-day freedom and if you're ready to give it up.
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Plenty of horror stories here. How about a best-case scenario? I recently said goodbye to a dog that couldn't have been more wonderful and easy, but I still wouldn't recommend a dog to someone that wasn't ready for their lifestyle to change DRASTICALLY. So to answer your request, worst part about having even the best dog in the world? Your life now revolves more than a little bit around an animal. Cats are easy, you can leave a bunch of food and water, clean the litterbox, and take off for the weekend. They might bitch when you get back, but that's what cats do. Can't do that with a dog. You can't even go out after work without going home first. And then be ready to feel guilty in leaving him/her home alone all evening after just having left it home all day. Our dog is one part of our world, but we are 100% of theirs. When we're not there, even if they don't have separation anxiety, they're still just waiting for us to come home, which will once again be the best thing that's ever happened to them. Want to go on an all-day hike or other adventure? Hope your dog can go with you, or you have friends/family nearby that aren't going to get sick of running over to your house to let it out for you, or else you just won't be going.
I miss my dog dearly, she was one of the single best things that have happened to me, but it's going to be a while before I'm ready for that level of lifestyle restriction again. So yea, that's the part I would say to spend a lot of time thinking about: your current level of day-to-day freedom and if you're ready to give it up.
I'm sorry to hear that you had to say goodbye to your dog.
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I'm sure dog-lovers don't even notice these things anymore, but this is what stops me from getting one:
1. Imagine a cold rainy night. You're reading in bed and start to fall asleep. The dog needs to go out. Get up, change clothes, boots, umbrella, raincoat. YUCK. I just want to stay in my warm cozy bed.
2. Imagine Saturday morning and you just want to sleep an extra 15 minutes. But you can't. You have to get up because the dog wants out. Then realize this is going to happen EVERY. DAY. for at least 10 years.
Oh no, I notice them, but I don't mind it as much as I used to when I was younger and a lot more impatient. But it's what I signed up for, and if my poor pup has to pee, it's my responsibility to let him out. And sleeping in on a Saturday, I can't sleep late anyway. I feel like I'm waisting the day. Love getting up and taking the pup to the beach on Saturday mornings.
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I'm sure dog-lovers don't even notice these things anymore, but this is what stops me from getting one:
1. Imagine a cold rainy night. You're reading in bed and start to fall asleep. The dog needs to go out. Get up, change clothes, boots, umbrella, raincoat. YUCK. I just want to stay in my warm cozy bed.
2. Imagine Saturday morning and you just want to sleep an extra 15 minutes. But you can't. You have to get up because the dog wants out. Then realize this is going to happen EVERY. DAY. for at least 10 years.
1. Get up, open door to back yard. Blearily stumble around kitchen for a bit. Realize the dog has been out there for ten minutes. Wonder what the hell is going on. Look out the back window and see the dog hurtling itself from one end of the yard to the other in an orgy of frenzied joy for some reason. Call dog back in, towel her off.
2. Getting up early is not a problem, because our dog gets quite upset when we stay up past our bedtime. First she walks upstairs to our room and back to where we are several dozen times. Then she throws herself down noisily near our feet. Then she lets out harumphs for 10 - 20 minutes, and eventually she'll sit about eight feet away, glare at you and periodically let out little barks.
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Dog's surgery went well, thank goodness. And in the realm of things that NEVER HAPPEN, it cost $250 LESS than the LOW estimate they provided. Angels singing? Check. Budget for the month balances? Check!
Dogs are expensive. They are smelly and gross and ridiculous. And I love them so very, very much.
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Dog's surgery went well, thank goodness. And in the realm of things that NEVER HAPPEN, it cost $250 LESS than the LOW estimate they provided. Angels singing? Check. Budget for the month balances? Check!
Dogs are expensive. They are smelly and gross and ridiculous. And I love them so very, very much.
Yay!! Double yay!!
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Wow jeez everyone's got problems with their dog. Am I the only who doesn't?
Having small dogs, they bark a lot. But if you live in a big enough plot and far from neighbors, it's okay. I'm pretty sure people can hear but w/small dogs, their barks arent as loud.
We don't have carpet. Our dog doesn't vomit, very rarely. Or anxiety issues, seizures, etc.
But our dog isn't neutered. I tried to convince my parents to neuter but my parents were adamant about not getting neutered. The push back was from my dad. I guess he equated the dog's suffering to his own so he didn't want the dog to go through that.
But reading all these comments, I'm wondering if neutering is a bad thing now and maybe he's better than most because he wasn't? My parents walk him, he's okay, nothing crazy. Doesn't chase after dogs. Outside the property he considers territory, he's pretty meek. Has no puppies or overly aggressive behavior outside the house. Does pick fights with dogs that visit our house though. Hates other dogs, loves my parents.
Does anyone have a dog that wasn't neutered? Good, bad?
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Does anyone have a dog that wasn't neutered? Good, bad?
Keep in mind, the thread specifically solicited the worst parts about caring for a dog. Thus, the thread is filled with people who are sharing those experiences which one could perceive as negative. Keep in mind that any living thing, given enough time, will face a life threatening or ending illness, and fighting to prevent that can become expensive.
There is a huge body of medical evidence that neutering drastically reduces health issues in dogs. Unneutered animals are more prone to behavioral issues, spayed females have a near-zero occurrence of uterine and breast cancers, neutered males can't have testicular cancers (which are common in non-neutered males), and neutered males tend not to attempt to mark their territory with urine.
Generally speaking, neutered animals are far healthier and have much longer life expectancies.
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I have so far only found that one rescue, do you know of any?
If you are in the U.S., check out Petfinder.com. It's a huge database where shelters and rescues across the country post their adoptable animals. Don't give up on adoption. There are many groups that don't have such strict guidelines.
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Like anything, they can be inconvenient. You can't just stay out all day from morning to late at night. We did end up giving up our structured schedule and our dog eats breakfast and dinner at wildly varying hours. He liked the consistency before but is doing fine on our non-schedule....which works better for us.
Travel is harder since we have to find a dogsitter
Lately, my SIL has been staying at my house and she watches him. She says he is so quiet and easy going that he is no trouble at all.
We are fortunate. We lucked out with a rescue mini poodle who is laid back, easygoing, and quiet. He adapts really well to our crazy house. On the flip side, he doesn't know how to play. Has taken two years to bond with my kids (and still mostly ignores my son unless he has food). Plus he has bad cataracts so is half blind and scared of everything, especially his shadow. But we all love him and he adds a lot of joy to our lives. I honestly didn't think we would take on the dog with cataracts. But we didn't know when we arranged for a week's trial with the rescue. At the end of the week, we took him to a vet for a checkup an found out. We almost said no but by that time, we just couldn't give him back.
My advice? Do as much pre-screening as u can because after the dog enters your life, it's hard to ever let them go again.
Also, many rescues are different. I was very intimidated after all I had read about rescues. The first one I met (at an adoption fair) were nice enough. The one we ended up working with were very nice and very willing to work with us (not against us kwim?). After a short phone discussion, she told me she didn't think the dog I had originally asked about was the right fit for me and suggested my current doggy, who checked almost all my boxes.
I think the website that most rescues are listed on is petfinder.com. Also, contact breeders as they often adopt out their retired dogs.
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For me the worst wasn't making the final decision when it was time, it was watching him decline so much in the years leading up to it. I had a Great Dane mix that I got at 15 and had until 28. He started having arthritis issues at age 6 or 7 though not enough to slow him down until about 11 or 12. The last year though he really went downhill and it was really hard for me watching him suffer but not badly enough to make the decision. I made many visits to the vet in that time to get a professional opinion to make sure I wasn't letting him suffer too long. In that year he lost a lot of control in his bowels so we had many piles to clean up, often in the middle of the night (that is a very unpleasant smell to wake up to at 2am). He lost his appetite and we watched his ribs show more and more. And dealing with the guilt for getting frustrated with him for things he had no control over. While it was still very hard it was a bit of a relief when it was time.
For our current dog the worst was the almost two years of explosive diarrhea before we found out that he's allergic to poultry. One incident happened when we was laying with his butt facing the register in the bedroom...that took a while for the smell to go away.
His habit of rolling in nasty stuff isn't fun either (luckily he seems to have stopped that). Oh and the hair. It's everywhere
You had a Great Dane live for 12 years!? That's incredible. It sounded like it was a hard decision to make, but at least he had a much longer life than most other large- breed dogs of his caliber.
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I love dogs. Had them growing up. I want one now, but to me the biggest draw back is they can be an anchor even in ways that kids aren't. Unless you get it certified as a service animal there are a lot of places you can't go with it (especially if you don't train and socialize it well). Do you like going to state and national parks? You can always skip that national parks for the wilderness areas and national forests. But...
There are major limitations there. Those impromptu weekend trips are a lot tougher. You either have to board them (expensive), make sure they are welcome where your are going or hopefully have family nearby that can help out. Are you ok with forgoing certain freedoms of spontaneity for it? "Can't stay out with friends, gotta let the dog out"
That said, they do bring amazing joy and companionship. When my kid(s) are in middle school or HS and have sports or other commitments and our lives become more centralized then we might get one or two. For now, we sought out a cat with a dog-like personality and he is wonderful. Another question is where are you in life. I have a handful of friends that got dogs in the pre-baby nesting phase treated like a family member and all of a sudden they get pushed a side when the real things comes, which in my humble opinion is not fair. On the other hand, I have friends who will always treat them as family members.
So just be honest with yourself about your priorities. If you feel yourself on the fence with some of the questions above but still would love an animal in your life find a cool adult cat to adopt. I still consider myself a dog person, and was always prejudice against cats. He came with my wife and I am glad he did.
Good luck.
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If you have a small dog you can pad train it so you don't have to come home from work to let it out or in bad weather, etc. If you have a bigger dog you can get a doggie door with the same results.
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I had dogs my whole childhood, went without for my college and 6 active duty USAF years, and enthusiastically rejoined the dog-owner world the day (literally) I left service and went reserve. I'm a dog person, through and through.
The best parts: they're cheaper than kids, they don't argue, they love you unconditionally, and it's proven that you can lower your pulse and BP just by petting them. Also, mine have helped keep me in shape.
The worst parts: they don't all travel well, the cost of care does add up, they need daily exercise, and they develop behavioral problems if they don't get enough. They can't be reasoned with. Because we live 7 times as long, you're eventually going to bury them. And some people don't find the task as fulfilling as raising a human to adulthood, where you can actually see them become self-sufficient and achieve great things, and you know, respond as a sentient being in an intelligent conversation.
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Most recent worst part of having a dog: shampooing your carpets at 1am because your dog is vomiting every five minutes from eating an entire box of chocolate cookies.
Previous worst part of having a dog: thousands of dollars of medical bills, and watching your animals suffer, because you failed to protect them from something.
Long term worst part of having a dog: killing it. Some day you will have to decide to end your dog's life, and it is always heartbreaking.
All of this in a nutshell + lack of freedom.
First few months to a year of their life…running home from work to let the dog out so there are no accidents.
Last few months/years of their life…running home from work to let the dog out so there are no accidents.
Being unable to just up and leave for a weekend or even a day if you can't take the dog with you.
Paying for a dog sitter or boarding when you go on vacation.
We had to put our dog down earlier this year after 8 wonderful years. But after $500+ a month on medicine, food, vet bills etc. we are taking break from all animals for the foreseeable future.
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Just shy of $1,000 out of pocket over the last two days; yesterday was mostly spent at the only open emergency animal hospital in three states (why, yes, the turkey did still taste good at midnight). Then follow up with our vet today, but the little girl is going to be fine, and is feeling much better already.
And she's the young one.
However, as I told my husband when the emergency clinic explained their holiday surcharge shortly after we'd driven an hour and a half to get there, this is what we have money for.
Oh, and also we have to put both dogs on a diet. Cue much late night whining. Perhaps I should press my husband to lose a few unneeded pounds and get all the whining in at once! (I'm already losing, and whining...)
Editing to add that the big boy was so happy to see us when we got back that in his excitement he knocked off my glasses and licked my eyeball before I could close it. Not sure, still, if that's one of the worst things or best things about dogs.
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Do you have a fenced yard? Do you have the disposable income, if something were to happen and you'd need to pay the vet $1000 tomorrow, to save the dog from suffering? Are you willing and able to put money and time into training a dog to be a good citizen and good pet? Do you own your home....or could you be displaced and have to give the dog up to move?
In addition to all of the above, dog fever or no, to avoid causing an animal unnecessary suffering you really have to think the whole thing through, for the next 10-15 years of your life. Many people don't think about the fact that they are a living being that needs discipline/medical care/structure/patience, and are a big responsibility on TOP of your current responsibilities, not just a cute thing that lays in your lap. If you can be realistic about what a PITA this can all be, and still want to go through with it, then you should (but please rescue....our rescues have been incredibly loyal since giving them a Forever Home)
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Hubby and I have been fostering dogs for a few years and are on numbers 7 and 8. Highly recommend it- the rescue will provide food and medical. You provide discipline, exercise and affection. Foster homes are always in short supply which limits how many animals a rescue can save. And hubby and I have learned much about what kind of dog we'd like to have one day.
Always supervise your kids with dogs. Kids mean well, but young kids may inadvertently treat a dog roughly or will not recognize when the dog signals that he/she doesn't want to play and that leads to trouble for all concerned.
When in doubt- google. I've learned pretty much everything about dogs from Google and youtube- training tips, body language, grooming, etc. Plus talking to the rescue when I have a question.
Last 2 cents from me- check out several local rescues (again google). The people running the rescues can have very different personalities and philosophies and if you will be working closely with them, you want to make sure your values line up with theirs. It can otherwise be awkward.
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I know this post is a little old now, but it has been a great comfort to me and only now can I manage to comment - yes, the worst part is saying goodbye, which we had to do 2 weeks ago. She was only 9, seemed to be in amazing health and had more energy and stamina than ever before. Then with no warning, a hermangioscarcoma tumor burst on her spleen. Sometimes if it's just the spleen that's affected, it's ok, but she had them on her liver too. In the course of 6 hours, we had a dog we thought would live at least another 5 years to no dog at all :( It's indescribable how sad we are about this and I worry and wonder when we'll feel better and when we'll ever feel ready for another dog without comparing it to her. Thanks to everyone else for sharing your stories, I'm so sorry for all of your losses.
Besides this worst of the worst part, the second worst was that she was 7 when we had a baby, and she didn't like the baby. She bit him once when he was starting to crawl, a graze on the face. I thought my husband was ready to say goodbye then. I was so scared if it would happen again so we decided we had to keep them in separate rooms at all times, or make sure one of them was thoroughly supervised if they were in the same room. That was extremely annoying and difficult, and also kind of heartbreaking because I was really hoping for one of those story book "my dog would do anything for my baby" type things.
That's the only thing I haven't seen anyone else mention. But we dealt with monthly doggy vomit for no reason, she ate anything in sight (and we had to make her puke if it involved raisins or chocolate, which it often did) so we had to always keep food off of ANY reachable surfaces and constantly warn guests to do the same. She also shed year round. We both worked full-time out of the home for 3 years of her life and started her in doggy daycare once a week for $25 a pop, which made her sooo happy. She had two serious health concerns in her 2nd year that resulted in one surgery, lifetime prescription diet and medicine, and annual checkups with a dog cardiologist. Her annual cost in the last few years averaged $2000. But we didn't blink at paying for any of it, or paying $2000 for "just in case" surgery at the end vs. immediate euthanization. Of course this is because I try to be Mustachian and we had the funds. I don't know how anyone who doesn't have significant control over their finances manages the financial ups and downs of pet ownership (credit cards I guess).
I really loved the reliable schedule of walking and feeding her twice daily, and am 75% homebody so I didn't mind having her as an excuse instead of going out and spending money. She almost NEVER barked or growled (this is my main worry with a new dog), and was housetrained upon adoption (a rarity), and she had a perpetual puppy look to her. She really was the best dog for us and we were starting to successfully train our son to be more gentle and and understanding with her. He is still asking for her and I can barely handle answering him.
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I know this post is a little old now, but it has been a great comfort to me and only now can I manage to comment - yes, the worst part is saying goodbye, which we had to do 2 weeks ago. She was only 9, seemed to be in amazing health and had more energy and stamina than ever before. Then with no warning, a hermangioscarcoma tumor burst on her spleen. Sometimes if it's just the spleen that's affected, it's ok, but she had them on her liver too. In the course of 6 hours, we had a dog we thought would live at least another 5 years to no dog at all :( It's indescribable how sad we are about this and I worry and wonder when we'll feel better and when we'll ever feel ready for another dog without comparing it to her. Thanks to everyone else for sharing your stories, I'm so sorry for all of your losses.
This is exactly the condition that my dog we lost last year had, and exactly the kind of day we experienced. I am so, so sorry. Even now, over a year later, it is all intense and terribly hard. We keep his remains in our home, and someday I'll find a place that will never be a developed and plant a tree with them, and he'll be a part of something alive again.
I don't have words of wisdom to offer-- it hurts, and continues to hurt, and nothing anyone says makes you feel any better (and if you're like me, every cliche thing someone says makes you a little angry, too). Experiencing death is the bill coming due for years of love, and as hard as it is, it is worth the cost for all the joy they bring.
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For me personally getting a new dog helps with the loss of one but does not help everyone. I had a friend wait 10 years between dogs. I adopt a dog that does not have a home & that is how I personally honor those you have gone before. Hugs:))