Anonymous wrote:Don't underestimate the need for constant attention, i.e., 2 walks a day minimum, not like a cat you can leave for 24-48 hrs w/ litter box, food and water and will be fine.

MUCH more labor intensive, with the pluses and minuses summarized above....

If you have a fenced backyard its significantly less labor intensive (unless you have some crazy high energy dog like a beagle).

I had dogs growing up my whole life that I took a lot of care of so I knew the basics.

First dog I had on my own...most changes are just logistical and financial. If I want to go out to a happy hour I have to go home first to take my dog out or hire a dog walker. But honestly it didn't really change things too much. I'm a bit of a homebody so it didn't impact my social life and I take my dog with my most places. Adding a second dog was nothing, they do everything together. After getting #2 through puppyhood its basically exactly like it was with #1 pre #2.

Don't underestimate the need for constant attention, i.e., 2 walks a day minimum, not like a cat you can leave for 24-48 hrs w/ litter box, food and water and will be fine.

MUCH more labor intensive, with the pluses and minuses summarized above....

I've never had a more loyal friend. We've been through a lot, and he was by my side. When our daughter was born, he became her best friend, too.

Boxer mix, male. 7 years old now

If you have children be sure that they are taller than the dog when it stands on its back legs. I know this sounds crazy, but its got a lot to do with how the dog treats the kids, as alphas or as if he is the alpha. You're safest when the kids are a little older and bigger.

The awesome:
Daily exercise for at least 2 walks a day for 16 years. More vigorous walks/runs until at least 10.

Freedom to be a single woman on a road trip, hike, late night walk and go where I wanted with confidence.

Good boyfriend screener.

Real Love and friendship.

Loyalty and commitment.

Humour and adventure.

Lifelong friends made in the dog park.


Challenges:
It's a real commitment.
Dogs are pack animals. They need time and energy, especially when younger.
Vet bills, increase with age.
Vacations/out of town trips - find dog friendly ones or make friends with other dog owners for dog sitting trades.
Fur everywhere.
Heartbreak at the end.

Guilt going out on weekends because dog has been home alone all week. Wouldn't change it though. I love my dog dearly.

How many hours a day are involved?

It's like adding another kid.

My first dog was a beagle puppy from a pet store. I didn't know anything about puppy mills or animal rescue. I had never really thought much about animals. I came to realize that if she had all of these doggie emotions, then other animals must be similar. I slowly (over the course of a year) oat interest in eating animals. It all happened naturally and without any predetermined plan.

I became aware of factory farms and horrific conditions for many animals, and I went into a deep depression because it all felt so overwhelmingly sad. Thanksgiving went from being my favorite holiday to being low on the list.

Over the course of the next couple years, I fostered and adopted - ended up with four dogs and two cats. I knew I had to stop there because I saw how tempting it was to want to save them all. We moved to a bigger house with a huge yard for the sake of the dogs.

In this world, where nothing is black or white, I realized that even though I chose not to eat animals, my dogs - and cats especially - had to. I don't like this fact, but that's the way it is.

Having that first beagle puppy changed my life. I loved her (and all my subsequent pets) with all my heart. But it opened my eyes to a lot of sadness (with the way some animals are treated) and I would rather be in the dark and totally ignorant of this. Or I wish I could be in denial, but there's an awareness there no matter how far back I try to push it.

Also, think about how much time you are home and how often you are away? If you work long hours, can you afford to hire a dog walker to come mid-day? If you travel often, you need to think about boarding costs every time you go out of town or for every vacation unless you bring the dog with but then you will be restricted with what you can do.

My kids REALLY wanted a dog. My husband and I had only had cats so knew nothing about dogs. We settled on a Golden Retriever puppy, he was 8 or 9 weeks when we got him. He was very scared when he first got to our house, but after a week he was fine. He had tons of energy and always wanted to play, it was like having a toddler again. After a year, he calmed down. He's very sweet and mellow and cute and I'm completely in love with him.

It's a lot of additional responsibility, esp. if you don't have kids and are used to being able to stay out as long as you want before you go home. But in return you get unconditional love.

I adopted a 2 year old rescue.

It was not easy. She was nervous and lost (and probably terrified) and I was a first time dog owner. It took time, training, and a lot of patience (and some destroyed objects/furniture) before the bond and the trust was really there.

10 months later it's just awesome. I love my dog and she loves me back. There's still some things I want to work with her on but people are always complimenting how well behaved she is (including my normally dog-phobic parents). It's been a lot of work but so worth it.

Interested in hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly. Information about the breed and age of your dog would be helpful. Thanks!