patrick.net

WookieMan says

My vote, no dog.

BayArea says

After my wife and I shopped around for a few months, we came to our senses and decided to hold off on getting a dog.

You made the right decision my friend. I originally forgot to chime in on traveling, if you happen to like that sort of thing even with a kid. We do a a couple one week vacation trips per year and boarding the dogs for those two trips damn near costs us what a vacation costs us before kids. If you have family that's cool watching animals that's fine, but even then burdening other people with your pets has a guilt factor to it. Our boarding cost alone per year are about $1,400 to $2,200 depending on the year. So it's either guilt or we send our dogs to a kennel for a week. Oh who am I kidding, both scenarios are high on the guilt factor.

Also, if you plan on having a 2nd or 3rd or you know 4th child, don't get the dog ever. You'll feel guilty about not giving the dog attention. Not good for stress levels even though you know you're giving the dog the best life possible. Unless you're the type that likes to go for a walk in the morning and afternoon, everyday, with the dog and not the kids. Dogs are awesome animals, but life with children and dogs is a balancing act. If I had a do over in life, I think you know the decision... No kids ;)

Get a mixed breed from a shelter.
Best dog I ever had was abandoned on the side of a dirt road.

Everyone else has a dog,"I have to have one too!" but it won't make one special.
Does life give you enough time to deal with a pet? They change everything.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/198100/dogs-in-the-united-states-since-2000/

When me and sibling got older,w e got the dog bug and pretty much forced the parents to get us dogs. We had Pomeranians and Labradors. Loved the labs, the poms -bark, bark, bark, but were fun.

I believe cocker spaniels are nuts, labs and golden for the most part are good with kids, though a good walk every day does wonders. My parents are old school and made us take responsibility for all things related to dogs.

I always wanted a rough collie-mostly because of Lassie-I might end up getting one. I have space , lets see.

HEY YOU says

Does life give you enough time to deal with a pet? They change everything.

That it does. But you know what? Having a dog is one of the greatest pleasures of life. They become part of your family, part of your life, and you can never let go.
We have even cancelled trips at times out of concern for our loyal family pet.
I have read countless articles about how dogs increase the lifespan of heart patients etc etc etc.

BayArea says

After my wife and I shopped around for a few months, we came to our senses and decided to hold off on getting a dog.

Probably was a good choice. Puppies are a TON of work, ask me how I know, my new pup turned 5 months yesterday:



Wifey and I had Date Night last night, we spent it at the doggie hospital waiting for poochie to get x-rayed and examined for possible poisoning for something he ate outside. After giving him a IV for fluids because of dehydration from puking, diarrhea and major salivating, he came home and I'm $600. poorer.

Oh yeah, puppies are so much fun!!!!

Sniper says

Wifey and I had Date Night last night, we spent it at the doggie hospital waiting for poochie to get x-rayed and examined for possible poisoning for something he ate outside. After giving him a IV for fluids because of dehydration from puking, diarrhea and major salivating, he came home and I'm $600. poorer.

Oh yeah, puppies are so much fun!!!!

He he he. Naughty poochie was still worth worth it.
We are planning another dog, but not a puppy. Too many coyotes in the area, and I don't think we could handle the destruction of their teething issues. Large 2 year old, hopefully a rescue, would be ideal for where we moved to last year. North San Diego County.

WTF is with you old folks getting dogs in your latter years? Fucking getting puppies when you're capable of dropping at any moment? I'm saying that sarcastically, so don't get your rectum in a knot.

I have two dogs, love them to death, but I don't think we'll be getting dogs again. We love travel too much and we already feel guilty sending them to the kennel when we travel. And we don't generally like to travel where it's easy to bring dogs. My folks (in their 60's) got a puppy a couple years back. They love it. I don't get it. I've got two kids under 10, so my focus definitely is not on my dogs unfortunately. Although they're very well cared for.

WookieMan says

WTF is with you old folks getting dogs in your latter years? Fucking getting puppies when you're capable of dropping at any moment? I'm saying that sarcastically, so don't get your rectum in a knot.

I have two dogs, love them to death, but I don't think we'll be getting dogs again. We love travel too much and we already feel guilty sending them to the kennel when we travel. And we don't generally like to travel where it's easy to bring dogs. My folks (in their 60's) got a puppy a couple years back. They love it. I don't get it. I've got two kids under 10, so my focus definitely is not on my dogs unfortunately. Although they're very well cared for.

We have the travel issue to. We hate leaving the dog at the vets(kennel) but she got sick every time we left her at Petsmart(Pet hotel with scheduled playtime). She has never gotten sick at the vets, and we trust the vet completely if she did.

I'm anticipating heavy travel in retirement...so we have to find someone who we can leave her with.

Mutts are smarter and healthier. In general.

Fucking White Male says

I'm anticipating heavy travel in retirement...so we have to find someone who we can leave her with.

That was another big decision, not having an anchor here if we wanted to go away. But I have a son and a daughter that live nearby, guess who's dog sitting if we go away?

just_passing_through says

Mutts are smarter and healthier. In general.

Farmers have known this forever. Applies to all species.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosis

Patrick says

Applies to all species.

Women too?

I would say wait a few years until about 4-5 and a small mutt or a beagle. I have a beagle and he's about 30lbs and not fat tho.

Sniper says

Fucking White Male says

I'm anticipating heavy travel in retirement...so we have to find someone who we can leave her with.

That was another big decision, not having an anchor here if we wanted to go away. But I have a son and a daughter that live nearby, guess who's dog sitting if we go away?

Try....."Rover.com" It's the Airbnb for dogs. I have used them, and been pretty happy.

Strategist says

Try....."Rover.com" It's the Airbnb for dogs. I have used them, and been pretty happy.

I wouldn't do that and leave him with an unknown person. I'm making a major investment in this little dude in time, training, socialization. I have really high expectations for him and some big goals, he better live up to them.

I've been thinking about getting a RV and take him along. I just haven't figured out how to drive the RV to Barbados and Aruba yet????

komputodo says

small poodle...they dont shed and are smart and friendly.

I second that vote. I have a miniature poodle (not a toy poodle), they are big enough (15 lbs), they don't shed, VERY smart. Mine doesn't bark like crazy (when he does bark it really means there's something I'd better look at. They live 12 - 15 years or more. I vote for the poodle.

I recommend getting a cat instead.

zzyzzx says

I recommend getting a cat instead.

You need to remove yourself from this thread, immediately. ;)

Sniper says

I've been thinking about getting a RV and take him along. I just haven't figured out how to drive the RV to Barbados and Aruba yet????

That type of RV is called "sailboat".

KimJongUn says

Sniper says

I've been thinking about getting a RV and take him along. I just haven't figured out how to drive the RV to Barbados and Aruba yet????

That type of RV is called "sailboat".

He already has a boat.

Patrick says

just_passing_through says

Mutts are smarter and healthier. In general.

Farmers have known this forever. Applies to all species.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterosis

"Not all outcrosses result in heterosis. For example, when a hybrid inherits traits from its parents that are not fully compatible, fitness can be reduced. This is a form of outbreeding depression."

Strategist says

KimJongUn says

Sniper says

I've been thinking about getting a RV and take him along. I just haven't figured out how to drive the RV to Barbados and Aruba yet????

That type of RV is called "sailboat".

He already has a boat.

He's all set then.

I recommend no dog. Interact with people more. Dogs will just tie you down and fuck your stuff up.

Gentle Reader,

I own a pitbull. He is getting along in years, and has developed diabetes, gone blind, and lost weight. Still, my wife loves this dog. He has protected her two occasions when I was away at work, and been an amazing watchdog and protector of our house at night. He scared a man who was in our garage one day apparently trying to steal one of my motorcycles. The guy took one look at Jo-Jo coming at him and ran like hell. Reported attempt to the Police. Nada.
Jo-Jo is brave, gentle, and active! Do not get one if you can't deal with how much physical activity they need.

Regards,
Roidy

Sniper says

Oh come on, if you're going to get a dog, get a real dog, not one of these "purse" dogs. Real men get big dogs, old retired grey hair ladies get poodles.

Not what I'd call "purse dogs". One of mine weighs 16lbs and the fatter male weighs 21lbs.

steverbeaver says

I recommend no dog. Interact with people more. Dogs will just tie you down and fuck your stuff up.

Dogs are therapeutic. When you are tired of interacting with people and listening to all their bullshit, hysterics, victim stories, etc. With dogs, you dont have to be PC or validate them. You don't have to tell them they are still SEXY even though they are morbidly obese. As far as being "tied down", the same thing could be said about having kids.

Can't remember if you ended up getting a dog or not. The endings generally suck as a bit of advice.

As you could probably tell, I'm a Star Wars fan. I also mentioned having two dogs. Well, old man Chewy (our oldest dog) is going to be checking out here in the next couple of days. For some reason I came back to this thread. Dogs rock, but it's hard when they are done. Ours is 14 and you don't realize how long they've been around until you actually think about it. They're around for so much. While it sucks, I wouldn't have it any other way. You get about 7-8 decades on this earth if you're lucky and for 1.5 we had a really awesome dog to enjoy it with.

steverbeaver says

I recommend no dog. Interact with people more. Dogs will just tie you down and fuck your stuff up.

No dog is best.

Whenever my kids start nagging me about getting a pet, I point to the youngest among them end tell them - "use this."

A Bichon Poodle.

komputodo says

Two dogs are better so they have someone to play with

This works well with women too ;)

Sniper says

Oh come on, if you're going to get a dog, get a real dog, not one of these "purse" dogs. Real men get big dogs, old retired grey hair ladies get poodles.

The miniature poodle isn't a purse dog (unless your toting around a duffel bag) the toy poodle IS a purse dog. You don't want a miniature, then get the standard poodle, don't get the foo-foo haircut. The dogs were originally breed as hunting dogs.