I currently own six cats(all spayed or neutered of course), a donkey, miniature horse, llama, 13 sheep, 3 pigeons, my husband keeps pheasants, and has some smaller reptiles in the house. With all the pets we do have it might surprise most people that we do not have a dog.
Dogs are not like cats. You cannot leave a dog at home while you go out all day, and stay out all night (not that I do anymore, I am too old for that). A cat will not pester you for constant patting and attention if you really don’t feel like it. Even the outside animals I can leave for a while if I have to, as long as they have water.
Photo by Author.
I have a needy pet, and it is not a dog. The needy pet I currently have is a donkey. She is about as needy of an animal as I can tolerate at this point in my life. If you have ever owned a donkey, you know what I mean. That and the occasional lamb that needs bottle feeding.
Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs. I especially love grooming dogs, making them look nice and feel good. I use to work at an SPCA, I started as a volunteer. One thing I noted was that while so many volunteers would walk the dogs, few would groom them. Many of the dogs were the longer haired shaggy variety, often Border Collie crosses, in need of attention. I would spend hours grooming the shelter dogs, in addition to walking them, helping them look better so hopefully they would get adopted.
I foster cared a very special Sheltie dog who needed to learn that life was not so bad after living in a truck for several months. I also foster cared a litter of 5 orphaned Rottweiler puppies. Although rewarding, it was a lot of work, two or three puppies, would have been better.
So, yes, I love dogs.
But…
I do not own one.
Many people get dogs because they love them and what a pet. Sadly many dogs are obtained on a whim, as a cute puppy seen in the pet store window and brought home because it was so darn “cute”.
Absolutely puppies are cute, no doubt about it, the problem is that most people forget that puppies grow into adult dogs.
Art by Author
Most people forget, or neglect, to help the dog learn how to grow into being a good dog. Sadly millions of dogs who were once loved, wanted, puppies, are abandoned as adult dogs, surrendered to the shelter because they became “unruly”, or grew too big.
I do not want to own a dog because I do not want to accept the responsibility for a life that I cannot provide a forever home to. Some animals, such as horses are frequently passed from home to home, and adjust relatively well, even cats do alright as they tend to bond to places rather than to people. I might inject here that 2 of our cats where left here when the previous owner moved out.
Dogs bond to people, and although they do accept being rehomed it is truly unfair to do so to them for the simple reason of getting a pet that a person fully was not prepared for. A dog is one of those animals I feel that should be kept in the same home, with the same owner, from the time it is weaned to the time it dies.
Art by Author
I cannot afford a 15 year emotional commitment to a dog. I cannot afford the time to take it to obedience lessons, which I feel are very important, but are also a 1 hour drive away from my home in the country. Although I know how to train dogs, I also feel they benefit from learning in a class with the distraction of other dogs, and it allows for proper socialization.
If you, or somebody you know, are considering getting a dog, do your research first. Find out the traits of the breed, good and bad. Decide if you can financially afford a dog, and if one fits into your lifestyle. Decide if you can take the time to train it and meet its mental needs for attention. Failure to meet the needs of some of the more intelligent breeds will mean your house will be destroyed in a short period of time. Look at a lot of dogs, look at a lot of breeds. And ask yourself, “Why do I really want a dog?”. If the answer is anything other than “Because I can give it a good, forever, home.”, maybe you need to rethink getting a dog. There are plenty of easier pets out there.
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Pinaki Ghosh
On May 29, 2009 at 6:01 am
Thanks for sharing
swatilohani
On May 29, 2009 at 6:39 am
great sharing
Darla Cooke
On May 29, 2009 at 7:30 am
Nice article.
s hayes
On May 29, 2009 at 8:26 am
Sounds like you have a real menagerie at home – I bet it is wonderful x I
Mark Gordon Brown
On May 29, 2009 at 8:32 am
Most people do not think beyond what you said “thats a cute puppy, I want it”, and that is why shelters are nearly always full of unwanted pets.
papaleng
On May 29, 2009 at 11:21 am
its nice of you to share your knowledge about pets.
clay hurtubise
On May 29, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Good piece. It looks you have your hands full as is! Though a dog might help you herd the sheep!
Thanks,
clay
jharmon
On May 29, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Fantastic piece. I’ll give my beagle and extra walk today just for you reminding me how special she is. Thanks.
ken bultman
On May 29, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Your opinion is always respected by me, especially when it is backed up with such irrefutable, undebatable data. I like dogs, but then, I like beer. What do I know?
PR Mace
On May 29, 2009 at 1:58 pm
You are quite right. People should really think about what type of pet fits into their lifestyle. Because I only work part-time and my husbands works 12 night there is someone home most of the time. Dogs need a lot of care and attention. They are pack animals after all. Our dogs don’t like it but do fine if they have to be left alone for a long period. The longest we have ever left them is 6 to 8 hours. But this is not the case with all dogs. Also a dog needs a friend, another dog, as I said they are pack animals. Outstanding article.
Lostash
On May 29, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Over the years, dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks, guinea pigs, chickens and even ferrets. The thought of pet commitment would drive me nuts now! You’re absolutely right!
Daisy Peasblossom
On May 29, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I’m not sure what life without animals would be like…no, wait…I lived in a dorm briefly. I hated it. Animals are much nicer housemates than humans. I have 2 dogs and 16 cats. You are very right about people needing to think about the needs of the animal before getting one. (About 2/3 of my animals are because someone left or dumped them out) I’m sorry to say my younger cats are not neutered; I simply don’t have the money. Consequently, the house is divided into “guys” and “gals”, because I do NOT want kittens. Sometimes, I think they will drive me nuts–but I’m not sure who would go if I needed to get rid of them. I would be very sad if that happened.
moteintheeye
On May 30, 2009 at 2:22 am
you are right. as i get older, when my dogs go i do not plan to replace them even though they never fail to make me happy.
motie
Brenda Nelson
On May 30, 2009 at 9:04 am
Since we only have a few sheep, a dog to herd them isnt needed, they pretty much come when called.
Jo Oliver
On May 30, 2009 at 10:10 am
B,
I didn’t know that you were an artist! Those are awesome drawings! Love to see you include more in your future work.
Back to the subject. I agree, that if you can not take care of an animal, then it is best not to fall for the cute infant stage of buying the animal. Too many people are just irresponsible on the subject. I do think that you would enjoy the right type of dog. There are so many different breeds that you probably could find one that suits your needs…..if you ever decide that you wanted one. Till, then enjoy your other animals. It sounds like you have your hands FULL.
jedopi
On June 4, 2009 at 11:16 am
Great article and so true. I am a cat person myself even though I do not have any now. My husband did not grow up with pets so he will not allow them. I always had pets as a child, but never as large as yours are; mainly cats, dogs, hamsters, turtles, and fish.
Fantastic drawings, as I said before you are very talented. I have my own drawings of animals but I wasn’t sure it would be okay to post them. I’m still leery of the internet and don’t want anyone stealing content. Do you ever worry about it?
Bingskee
On June 7, 2009 at 4:27 am
this made me think if we really have to get a dog again. we had had dogs before that died because they got sick and some got killed in accidents. we currently have cats and that made me pondered on how these animals would go along peacefully in a house.
Claire
On June 17, 2009 at 12:39 am
i liked your thoughts about dogs. But i think you should give them a chance they cant help pooping ,you poop
in the toilet dosnt like cleaning up after you.Sorry i wasnt tring to be rude but sereusly.my family runs on dogs and cats.My granny had 1 cat that got old and passed away.My papap has a dog named kia.My grandma had a dog named rover. but the whole point is that i think you should just lay off on the whole dog cat freaky situation.
Taylor
On June 22, 2009 at 10:37 am
My dad wants a dog so badly but has always avoided it because he lives alone, and he travels for work a few times a year. He doesn’t think it’d be fair to leave it at home alone 8 hours a day and have it babysat by neighbors now and then as well.
I agreed with him and was glad he was making the responsible decision, until my Aunt pointed out that the dog he’d be getting has the choice between being alone 8 hours a day or staying in the pound, in a cage with no owner. Which is worse? Is it irresponsible to get a dog you may not have as much time for as you should when you’re adopting it from the pound? They may not have the best owners, but at least they’ll have an owner at all, and a yard or house to roam around in, and toys.
What is your opinion on that? Given how many dogs are in shelters right now, wouldn’t it be better to get them into some home, any kind of home, as an alternative?
Brenda Nelson
On June 22, 2009 at 11:22 am
to Taylor #19
If your dad selected a breed taht was fine with not too much need for attention it would be okay, also older dogs are better than pups.
in the shelter they are in the cage, lonely, but they cannot get into trouble like a dog left alone in a house can..
yes it would be wonderful for your dad to get a dog (or cat)
perhaps there is an adult dog at the shelter who is use to being alone
good breeds – Shih Tzu, pug, older retrievers.. etc
bad breeds for this stituation – Border Collies any herding dog, pups.. dalmation, husky, terriers…
ali
On January 20, 2010 at 11:23 pm
thanks for the spca volunteering you must have been a lot of help to many of the dogs there , and donkeys are cute .
Marty from Modesto
On February 14, 2010 at 3:22 pm
Thank you for knowing your limitations. I have a friend that neglected his Rot and Chihuahua to the point that they almost died from being infested with ticks. The Rot was on its last leg when I got hold of her and dipped her into malathion. She was covered in generation after generation of ticks. Literally thousands and thousands. Her skin was white, because the blood was being sucked dry. She lost 2/3 of her body weight in two days. The Chi had about 2 dozen ticks on her and was dehydrated because he didn’t give her water most of the time.
After about a thousand dollars in vet bills, I have the Chihuahua and his son has the Rot. That was about 3 years ago.
Last night he calls me on the phone and proudly tells me he just got a two year old Rotwiler and her name is Layla. He has her chained in his backyard and he is so happy.
I told him I was shocked and that I told him over and over again that if I ever find another dog at his house, I would not stick around to see the abuse.
End of friendship. God help poor Layla.
Defence Lawyers
On September 14, 2011 at 11:42 am
I love dogs but I am severely allergic to the dander and therefore cannot own a dog without suffering with my asthma and allergies.
Kim
On October 1, 2011 at 9:05 am
Thank you for sharing. It’s an interesting read and I agree with you, cats are much easier than dogs. Although I have both.
Cindi F.
On December 29, 2011 at 11:55 pm
I agree with you about the commitment it takes. When I was a kid I spent all of my time with my dog and it was great. She was like my best friend. Now I have three kids and barely have time for myself let alone a dog. I moved in with my boyfriend and he has three dogs and now we find we don’t have enough time for the dogs. It is sad really.