When I first got a dog I learned how many people don’t walk their dogs, it’s crazy
Yep my dog needs 1+ mile in the morning and at least 2 miles in the afternoon for optimal health - bowels, muscles, etc. He’s 7 now and acts like a dog half his age.
Then some of my friends are like “I try to take mine around the block at least once a week” and I am sad for their poor dog.
Hard to find good dogsitters who will actually take them on long walks too.
Once a week?? My god.
I walk my 10 year old husky 3 miles a day at least, and we usually go to the dog park at least every other day. He’s showing signs of aging, but he acts like a dog half his age.
I have two chihuahuas so I take them on three walks per day, but just two of those walks are what I call “medium” walks for them, it’s a few a big blocks around the neighborhood.
What you reminded me of is when I do my 3+ mi walks, I bring one of them in a shoulder sling carrier for dogs. They can’t walk that far every day due to their size but they still absolutely love the adventure.
That’s why i don’t have a dog or a cat. I couldn’t do that to them. On the other hand, a dog from a dog shelter could see themselves rescued in the last second, if anyone takes them in. At least they would live in a safe place.
After being in a dog shelter, they may even enjoy some alone time. I imagine it being as stressful for dogs as it is for humans, to be incarcerated with strangers.
You can have indoor cats. They sleep like 20 hours anyway.
I’d say cats are different, I have two and when I get home they run after a laser pointer for 30mins and then they’re pooped. Plus they snuggle and sleep with me so that’s bonding time as well
Yeah I love alone and have a career where I cannot work at home. Sometimes I think about getting a pet, but I just can’t see it as being ethical in my situation. Sometimes I do ponder getting a cat though as they seem more independent, but I don’t have much experience with them.
My dog usually prefers fetch in the backyard. I always give her the option of either. Sometimes she’ll go for the walk and then turn around after 5 minutes to go home and play.
Fuck anyone who doesn’t get someone to go look after their dog for a few hours if especially if they are gone for 12 hours.
My job is 12 hour shifts plus an hour commute each way. This is a big part of why we haven’t already gotten a dog. Well that, and also until a few months ago we were in a pretty small apartment. My wife is home more than me, so we’re considering it, but I want to try to time it so that I’m off and there more early on for adjustment period and training.
Humans don’t deserve dogs. I want to be the kind of human who can almost disprove that fact.
If you lived alone I’d say it would be a terrible idea to get a dog. But if your wife is home a lot then it sounds like a much more doable situation imo.
I don’t get it.
