ClazUK Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Since I've been single, fitting my work and social life around my dogs has been so difficult. I've spent a fortune on kennelling so I can do things like weddings etc., and, until I started working split shifts, I was spending £220 a month (a quarter of my take-home pay) on a dog walker. I'd never ever entertain rehoming my two, but it's had me seriously thinking my life would be so much easier without dogs. Ten years ago I had visions of me being the mad dog lady, with a pile of old mutts no-one else wanted, but now I'm not so sure I honestly wonder if I would be better not taking on anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cycas Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Oh dear, sounds like you are a bit stressed about this whole thing. I don't think this is very contro (except possibly internally!). I have a couple of friends who really adore dogs, grew up with them, have volunteered etc, but have ended up in situations where dog ownership is not really feasible due to commuting, time constraints etc. I think you just have to take the decisions that are right for you at the time. I completely agree that not all lives are easily compatible with dog ownership and you don't always get to pick one that is. Going dogfree for a while doesn't have to be forever: in 10 years you might be in a completely different situation, though no doubt it would be hard in the interim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yena Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 One of the problems with having dogs is they are with you for 15+ years and if you have more than one it can be even more. What if your circumstances change? What do you do than? You have to either give your dogs away, or make alternative arrangements for them and that's what you have done. £200 is a lot of money to come out of anybodys budget and for that you deserve a massive pat on the back. I lived without dogs for 8 years after we lost Sally and Susy, at the start I loved it I could wear black and I never found any dog hairs in my dinner. But, I missed them so much, I missed the tail wags, the wet kisses and the comfort from sitting and stroking them. I can never imagine living without dogs, I'm sure it would break my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fee Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Dogs are wonderful, but they are a huge tie. There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting some time in the future when you can travel and socialise without having the expense and worry of arranging dog care. I think it's only when you are in that position that you will know for sure if the benefits of not being tied down are worth the gap not having a dog will leave in your life. As Victoria says, whatever you decide doesn't have to be forever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snow Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Not owning a dog doesn't mean you have to have a life without dogs in it, when I lived at home my parents didn't want a dog, I being doggy mad found that hard to accept, so I found ways to have dogs in my life even if they weren't my own dogs. I volunteered at a kennels, walking the dogs caring for them socialising and playing with them, I got involved with a local dog training group started out just by hanging around soaking up the doggy atmosphere, eventually I was helping the trainer out, and from there to training her own dogs alongside her. She was a breeder and showed at crufts as well as being involved in competitive obedience, she taught me ring craft so from there I started attending shows and showing her dogs, then other peoples dogs, I had hundreds of dogs in my life albeit that I went home without one of my own. I'm not suggesting you would have the time or the inclination to do that kind of thing BUT you know that rescues always need volunteers, they need dog walkers, transporters, socialisers and most of all they need good foster homes. Any of those options might fit in better with your current lifestyle and would allow you to not only keep dogs in your life but do so on your terms when it's convenient for you and when you are in a different position then you can be a failed fosterer again lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one.eyed.dog Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 When my Lucy died I said I was not going to get another dog for at least 3 months. I lasted 4 days. My vet actually said to me that I was the type of person who would not last 5 minutes without one. I truly think that my life would be totally rubbish without a dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billydog Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I love having dogs but I know I'm very lucky that I have friends who will dog sit when I need to go away, and also I'm a bit sad in that a lot of my social life revolves around dogs (agility, walking). I can understand if you don't have this it must be pretty difficult (and expensive). A descision not to have another dog doesn't have to be forever - in fact it doesn't even have to be to the end of the week! It's an easy descision to change, but having a dog and then deciding you actually don't want one is much more difficult to reverse. As Snow wisely said, not having a dog doesn't mean you have to be completely dog free, but it might just give you a little breathing space. I'm sure you'll make very sensible and well thought out descisions whatever you decide, and won't do anything which involves a dog on a whim! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReikiAnge Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 As others have said, there's no reason you can't take some time out of dog ownership so that you don't have that tie (delightful as it is) at some point, you can always become the mad dog lady again in later years. I spent five years without a dog after leaving home and moving in with Rob as it just wasn't a good situation to have a dog in, I was in my early twenties, we were out too long during the day etc. Then suddenly I couldn't bear to be without a dog a moment longer - and things were ok for us to have a dog then, so along came Cass and then the others. I had considering having a dog-break after my older dogs so Rob and I could do some travelling - and then I decided I couldn't bear to be without a dog and adopted a puppy who will hopefully live forever The travelling can wait. As said, there are all sorts of ways to be involved with dogs without owning one yourself. I wish I had thought of that in the years I was without but I had other things on my mind until I realised I had started crossing roads to say hello to other people's dogs in the street and then I figured it was time for my own again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yantan Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I am planning on being dog free for a few years after George and Archie to give me time to do all the things I can't do now. I won't kennel them so all holidays are based on what's good for them. I am desperate to go back to New England for a holiday and finally see places like Alaska, Japan and Scandinavia as well as many places in the UK - if I can afford it and I am well enough! Then I want to settle down with my next lot of dogs and I will be happy to have my life once more revolving around them. I know I could never life forever without a dog and it may be that once I am faced with a dogless life I will crumble and not want to do any of the above but opt for adopting another dog fairly soon. Time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClazUK Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Oh dear, sounds like you are a bit stressed about this whole thing. Thanks :flowers to all of you. I think what's brought this to the front of my mind is that Guinness is getting more and more frail and I'm wondering how Sky would cope without canine company. I don't think she'd do too well, but I am also unsure I want to commit to another when Guinn goes. But then I guess I can foster, I'm just not overly sure I'd be wanted as I'm out 7.30 to 12.30 and 2.30 to 7ish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruthi (borrowadog) Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 I'm just not overly sure I'd be wanted as I'm out 7.30 to 12.30 and 2.30 to 7ish Of course you would be wanted - for the right dog(s). There are loads of oldies out there who just want to be loved and fed, and taken for gentle strolls. Personally I can't imagine a home without dogs, no matter what their drawbacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kats inc Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Can I be devil's advocate and ask you how much this has to do with Matt not being ultra keen on dogs and how much is his influence on your thinking? Feel free to tell me to shut up but it was the first thought that popped into my head so I thought I'd ask the question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzeanna Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Only you can answer this one really Claire...you've been involved with dogs for so long I can understand it must feel at times more a pain than a pleasure, but once the novelty of being able to come and go as you please has worn off, do you think you would miss the love and companionship? I must confess, we are having a little strife in the house at the moment as my OH really looks forward to and enjoys his holiday abroad every year, but I've told him I'm not happy at the thought of putting Rosie in kennels. He was moaning about it, so I turned round and said ok then, I'll rehome her...someone will love her. He was horrified, clasped her in his arms and said over my dead body! Hopefully, we'll have Dyl and Rosie for another ten years or so...but after that I doubt we'll have any more. I shall probably go back to having Siamese...that will really make him scream, he's allergic to cats! Personally, I'd give you two years..max...without a dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClazUK Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Can I be devil's advocate and ask you how much this has to do with Matt not being ultra keen on dogs and how much is his influence on your thinking? Feel free to tell me to shut up but it was the first thought that popped into my head so I thought I'd ask the question Fair question but I don't honestly expect my relationship with Matt to outlive Sky (or, hopefully, Guinness). But certainly the travelling to see him and loading the dogs up all the time, or kennelling them when we need to do all-day/weekend things does make life more complicated. But......... it's Matt that thinks I should get Sky a new sloooki buddy when Guinn goes Matt is secretly in love with Sky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melp Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Once I got a dog I honestly thought I'd never be without one but circumstances change. The foodog is like Guinness [in more ways than one!] and she's really not well nowadays. I don't expect her to be here in another 12 months, probably less. Dennis is now 10 and seems to be healthy at the moment. Now that my circumstances are changing, I know that in order to support me and the kids I have to work and in order to work full time I can't have dogs. Mine are staying with me obviously, but when they die thats it, no more. Hopefully in the furture things will change again but for the next few years at least I think we'll have to be dog free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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