Shall we get a wee dog?

Have you considered looking after other people's dogs? There is a website - borrowmydoggy.com that puts you in touch with local dog owners who need occasional or regular help - either taking their dog for a walk while they are out at work/looking after a dog for a weekend/helping with their dog while the owner recovers from illness etc. If you set up a regular "borrow", you can enjoy all the benefits of a dog, without the long term commitment and cost of ownership (you will still have to pick up their poo....).

Let's hear it for dogs - yay ??

We had a toy poodle when the DC were little. He was bonkers. I did have to wipe his bottom! Often I had to clip the fur off from around his under tail area to prevent the build up of such poo. He was costly, as he had regular trips to the grooming parlour.

Don't have one unless you are fully committed. Kennels for when on holiday are very expensive, a week away could cost easily £200.00. Vet fees, and treatment unless insured are over the top, so stop and think.

You have to pick up your dog's poo by law. So if you can't do it you can't have one.

I didnt say I wouldnt pick up after a dog. Trust me , after years of living here and having it on shoes, pram wheels and on one occasion accidently trampled through the house, I would be a responsible dog owner.

Oldbury - sorry but if it was tongue in cheek, why ask it?

I think picking up the poop is minor compared to the commitment and expense a dog is. Vet bills, injections etc etc. I love dogs, but wouldn't have one now. It is a big commitment....and also a tie.
I think it all needs thinking through. You have to weight up the companionship and pleasure against the costs.
My friend got a little dog 2 years ago. She is now 67, and she is really worried about what would happen to her dog if anything happened to her. Her family would not be keen to take him on. He is very spoilt so not sure how he would fit in if the unthinkable happened. She's is fit, and we try and reassure her....but it is another consideration as you age.

HildajennyJ - we are trying not to have another dog for all the reasons you mention. but it's very hard not to. For the last 2 year's we have been pet sitting to get our 'fix'. We joined a website where you sit for free and have travelled all over the UK and Europe - looked after many beautiful dogs and cats and met many interesting people along the way. Some of which have become friends. This is the next best thing to owning an animal, but still hard to leave them. We go back where we can and do repeat sits just to spend time with them.

Never mind the poo bags-most dogs at some time feel the need to roll in other animal's poo!
Our gorgeous girl was the perfect dog-we could take her anywhere & she was as good as gold. Never a minute's trouble. Until she found a patch of deer poo or fox poo or any type of poo really in the woods when she would dash off & roll in it & come back covered &, stinking to high heaven. The ride home in the car even with windows open was vile. Then there was the bath that followed.
I have had many dogs & most of them did this. Luckily we adored them so it was a small price to pay.
Maybe get a cat--although you may then get birds & mice brought in as presents for you. We had a lovely rat brought in once- very lively-took us ages to get it out again.
The there was the goat........

Oldbatty.
A dog or cat you give a home to is a responsibility and the cost of vet care can be very expensive. Pets can be wonderful company if you live alone. Dogs should not need their back sides wiping unless you are feeding the wrong food which is giving it the 'runs' .Or it has a medical problem and needs the vet. Keeping it groomed and too much fur in that area should be part and parcel of its grooming and but one issue but to take on any pet then find its too much of a responsibility is the reason there are so many unwanted pets..

When DH retired we did consider getting a dog, we'd both previously owned dogs, I grew up in a home with 3 dogs & 4 cats. Whilst we worked full-time we always had cats, much easier. DH's health was a consideration so we decided a dog was not for us.

After I was widowed I briefly considered a dog, so glad I didn't get one as I've had a few spells in Hospital. I did however "inherit" a cat, he was my DD's cat, I had moved nearer to DD & she had 3 small dogs & cat. The main problem was he was always getting injured fighting. Hence I have a cat, cat flap fitted & lovely neighbours feed him when I go away. I definitely couldn't have a dog much as I love them.

Lollee I agree. People think I’m very strange as I consider keeping domestic animals is almost medieval. We no longer keep pigs and sheep in our homes. I also feel that it is akin to slavery. The owner decides their walkies food etc. Isn’t it rather odd.

We had 2 dogs in the 1980s/90s when our 2 children were in their teens. About 4 years ago I needed a dog again - the grandchildren were grown up and the OH and I needed something else to focus on apart from our aches and pains. We bought a Welsh Springer Spaniel from a reputable breeder and have never regretted it for a moment. She is funny, trusting, affectionate and adorable. The poo thing is something you get used to. Go for it!

Blueskies, thought i was the only one! Don't get me wrong i would never harm a pet and when my son's dog stays i give him affection, as, a bit like a child, i would hate if he felt unwanted or unloved whilst with me. I read a lot of history books (love the subject and even give talks) and in medieval times cats were considered vermin and dogs were definitely used as working animals for hunting etc. It was quite a bit later that they became pets and i am sure we all know the story from school about King Charles keeping his spaniels to encourage the fleas off him and onto them!

Can't understand why people are saying a dog is not for you just because of one comment about dog poo. I am sure you would do it without even thinking about it once you have to. Just like you clean up your baby's and children's poo and vomit.
A smaller dog s poo is better to pick up than a larger dogs for obvious reasons!

Reasons against having a dog in your life....
You are out of the house most days and for long periods.
You don't like "stuff" around the house ie dog bed, toys, bowls.
You do not have spare money for feeding a pet and for any get bills that may arise.
You go on lots of holiday where you could not take a dog. Or would not be happy leaving a dog in boarding kennels or could not afford boarding kennels.
You cannot dedicate plenty of time to a dog for walking, grooming, playing.

Reasons for getting a dog.
You can afford to feed it and pay vet bills and/or insurance.
You want a companion who will love you unconditionally.
You can dedicate lots of time for walks, grooming and playing.
You will pick up dog poo's and dispose of filled bags appropriately.
You want to make new friends whenever you walk your dog as people often stop to talk about your dog.

If you decide to get one choose wisely .
Choose a size that will fit in with your lifestyle and the size of house and garden that you have.
Choose the right sized dog for your strength and abilities too
Choose one that will fit in well with your activity levels, not all small dogs like to sit in the sun all day ,some like lots of long walks.
Decide if a puppy or an older dog is for you
Puppies of any breed can be very tiring .
Do you want a dog from a breeder or a rescue
Do you want a pedigree or a mongrel , with a pedigree you have more of an idea of a dogs temperament but with a mixed breed its more difficult to know.
I'm sure I will think of more ..
I cannot stand being in the house without a dog in it.

Yes Lollee I too could never hurt an animal. They have as much right to be here as we have. We must also acknowledge that dogs are used as instruments of aggression as in South Africa and Israel. It must be terrifying to be set upon by a large animal with huge teeth.

I have always had a dog in the house I would be lost without one but unfortunatly they do not come "potty trained".

As others have said, the very fact that you are thinking that poo picking could be a problem means that you shouldn't.
We have always had dogs, they are part of the family and I clear up after them when neccessary without a thought.

Gosh - a lot of party - poopers on this thread.

Of course before you get your dog the thought of picking up after it seems not nice but once you get to know the little guy/girl it becomes so much easier.

The question is which is the right dog for you oldbatty?

You need to explore all the reasons why you want to get a dog in the first place.

Here's the 'low down'.......For starters, it's normal for puppies to have worms and they need to be treated. Puppy will like to chew on your furniture and your favorite shoes. Puppies also have 'accidents''! Be prepared to clean up lots of poop, pee and possibly even vomit and diarrhea for the first few weeks until puppy is 'housebroken' and learns to do its business outside.

Long term, most dogs need exercise and have to be walked daily, anyway. Dogs are also a lot of work. They will shed on your sofa, your bed or your favorite chair. They need to be bathed at least once a month. Some dogs will bark annoyingly... a lot. Overall health and teeth are important too and they need shots and possible neutering, so you need to find a good vet. They also need to be well fed and to live indoors with their owners and have lots of toys and a warm bed of their own, (bedding will need to be washed regularly too). Your dog should never be left tethered outside for long periods, preferably never! Dogs are social animals and they demand a lot of attention but in return they are loyal and able to express love and devotion like no other pet can.

........But (and this is a very important BUT), if you already have misgivings about having to pick up poop in the park, you certainly won't like picking up poop in your own living room, kitchen, front hall etc. (more than once). You also might want to consider a goldfish, instead.

If your questioning everything about animals and can’t reconcile yourself as to why or why not you have one. Then no don’t get one. They need to be looked after no matter what. Poo sickness etc insuring them visiting a vet has to be considered

Know

Another consideration is age. We still miss our fifteen year old Lab who was such a part of the family even though it is years ago that we lost him. We would every so dearly love to have a dog now but know it would be unfair to the animal as we are almost eighty even though in good health for the moment. You have to look ahead for fifteen years or so and it is doubtful we could give a dog the life it deserves for all that time.

Iam64 is absolutely right. A dog is a commitment and clearing up the poo is one of those commitments. If the issue of poo and bottom wiping are high on your list, don't bring a dog into your life and home. I have a long coat chihuahua and a Maltese who bring unconditional love, pleasure and companionship to me: clearing up their poo and grooming them are minor tasks compared to the pleasure my little dogs bring.