A dog is for life? please read if you are thinking of getting a pup

foreign_correspondent · 17 February 2009 at 5:21PM

Some worrying news here -a record number of dogs handed in to rescue in January - wonder if this is indicative of the state of the economy, or just the fact that people underestimate the time and commitment a dog takes...?

I wish more owners carefully considered the reality before getting a pup or a dog...

For anyone thinking of getting a dog, please do think very carefully about how this will fit in with your lifestyle for the next ten to fifteen years, and please consider giving a home to a rescue dog. As the article points out, many of the are pedigrees!

Anyway, here is the link and the article

http://www.mayhewanimalhome.org/home/press...ases/index.html

Record numbers of unwanted animals in only the first month of 2009

The Mayhew Animal Home is releasing its January figures for unwanted dog enquiries to highlight the growth in a ‘throwaway’ attitude to animal ownership.

Animal Home overwhelmed with calls from owners no longer wanting their dogs

In the first month of 2009, The Mayhew’s Dog Adoption Officer received 162 calls about dogs that owners no longer want -126 of these being pure breeds of dogs – dispelling the myth that people don’t abandon, or give up, pure breed dogs.

ls from the London area consists of a list of 36 different breeds of dogs, including Pugs, Schnauzer, Border Collies, Labradors, Spaniels, Pointers, Greyhounds and Great Danes.

The top reason given was that the owner simply ‘didn’t want’ the dog anymore, followed by ‘landlord won’t allow’, ‘new baby’, or ‘can’t afford’.

With a contract for strays with Brent Council and a maximum space for 35 dogs, The Mayhew was only able to take in 9 of these dogs and are working to advise some of the other owners as to their options.

The Mayhew Dog Adoption Officer, Lisa Guiney, said: “These figures are alarming and indicate clearly how the over-population of dogs in the UK means that people view them as disposable as it is so easy to obtain another one from numerous sources. To be this busy in only the first month of a new year is a shocking reflection of society’s attitude to animal ownership.”

The Mayhew Animal Home carries out early-age neutering in their community clinic and offers free neutering for any bull breeds by appointment in order to stem the over-population crisis in the UK.

The Mayhew CEO, Caroline Yates, said: “We would encourage anyone who is thinking of getting a dog to consider carefully the commitment of time and finances that this involves. And recommend that they visit their local rescue centre. It is understandable that people’s circumstances may change but pet owners need to plan ahead for these kind of incidences so that they can take into account the welfare of their pet.”

helzbelz_57 · 17 February 2009 at 5:59PM

i'll second this. i will be the first to admit i didnt give serious thought to how time consuming my puppy would be however, i have made the commitment to be the best owner i can possible be to him. if anyone is thinking of getting a dog/ puppy be prepared to commit your life, it is literally like having a baby. you are 100% responsible for it and it has needs that must be met when they need met, not just when you feel like it. definitely not a decision to be made lightly.

Tribulation · 17 February 2009 at 9:00PM

Totally agree. Too many people think it will be like having a hamster or something. It's a full time commitment, and you have to be prepared for the mess

Picked up my new puppy 8 days ago, he was sick twice in the car on the way home. Got him home, he had a poo right in the middle of the living room.

Didn't bother me, I expect it with a new puppy just removed from it's parents, but a lot of people out there don't realise they have to be toilet trained, and a fair few people think that training them means screaming at them so their scared stiff every time they mess the place.

My previous 13 years were totally affected by having our old dog. Going away for the weekend was out unless we had a friend that could have our dog stay with them etc.

I wouldn't ever be without a dog (providing I'm always fit and well enough to look after it properly), but it is a full time commitment.

We've got George almost house trained, only took a couple of days with someone always there. He has 95% of his business outside. He still has the odd accident first thing in the morning but he's almost there. Next, I have to somehow teach him that walking in the wee (and standing in it while he's going) , makes his paws stink

PolishBigSpender · 18 February 2009 at 9:27AM

I absolutely agree. Treating the dog like a toy is a very popular attitude. In anther tread here I've been reading advice "if you have a baby, get rid of a dog" and people agreeing with this.
I really don't understand how people can be so heartless and cruel. I've got a 13-year-old dog and it's like a family member to me. It's got bladder problems, which means walking it every so often. It's spoilt senseless

but still, I can't imagine ever giving it up.

nunnygirl · 18 February 2009 at 9:37AM

It's really bad that after all the advertising on the TV etc and things people are STILL going out, getting a dog and not knowing what they're letting themselves in for.

People seem all too keen to go out and get a dog when they no nothing about the breed.

Some of the worst excuses I've heard are;

"It's too bouncy", this was a boxer and they're known for they playful behaviour :rolleyes:
"I didn't know how big it was going to get", this was a Great Dane and anyone who knows their dogs know they get big:rolleyes:
"It doesn't match my couch", I don't know what this one was but it's disgraceful none the less:mad:

If I was living in my old house I would have no problems at all going and getting a rescue dog, especially as myself and OH have a lot of time that can be devoted to it, but as we're now living in a first floor flat I do not think it would be at all fair.

seven-day-weekend · 18 February 2009 at 9:45AM

‘landlord won’t allow’, ‘new baby’, or ‘can’t afford’.

Although I don't agree with getting rid of a dog just on a whim, the above are genuine reasons, surely?

We rescued a greyhound who was going to be killed the following day. She was not good with children. At the time we were not planning any children.

However, two years later our son was on the way and we would not have felt happy having the dog around the child.

So we gave her away to a friend and she lived happily ever after to a ripe old age.

Also, someone may have to move house or lost their job through no fault of their own and be unable to keep the dog.

I think all the above scenarois are acceptable reasons for having to rehome a dog.

PolishBigSpender · 18 February 2009 at 10:55AM

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

‘landlord won’t allow’, ‘new baby’, or ‘can’t afford’.

Although I don't agree with getting rid of a dog just on a whim, the above are genuine reasons, surely?

We rescued a greyhound who was going to be killed the following day. She was not good with children. At the time we were not planning any children.

However, two years later our son was on the way and we would not have felt happy having the dog around the child.

So we gave her away to a friend and she lived happily ever after to a ripe old age.

Also, someone may have to move house or lost their job through no fault of their own and be unable to keep the dog.

I think all the above scenarois are acceptable reasons for having to rehome a dog.

I'm sorry, but no, I don't think so. You take the dog, you take the responsibility. The dog loves you and trusts you. My dog is like a family member to me - and I don't give away family members! :rolleyes:
The landlord doesn't allow - find some other accommodation. The baby? You just have to keep an eye on the dog, never leave it alone with the kid. Can't afford? Surely you can give up something to be able to still feed your animal.
I'm sure it would break my dog's heart if I gave her away... and it would break mine as well!

seven-day-weekend · 18 February 2009 at 11:00AM

I appreciate your point about the dog being a family member, but sometimes family members go and live elsewhere, don't they?

To me it is totally irresponsible to keep a dog that you KNOW is not good with children when you are going to have a baby.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this.

maemaesmummy · 18 February 2009 at 11:09AM

When I got my dog I had been told I couldnt have children... jump forward 3 years and (human) baby no 1 arrived....

At no point did I consider getting rid of Cassie.. she was my baby too... and she (after never being around kids) doted on Keira and James when he arrived.

Dennis99 · 18 February 2009 at 11:57AM

nunnygirl wrote: »

It's really bad that after all the advertising on the TV etc and things people are STILL going out, getting a dog and not knowing what they're letting themselves in for.

People seem all too keen to go out and get a dog when they no nothing about the breed.

Some of the worst excuses I've heard are;
"It's too bouncy", this was a boxer and they're known for they playful behaviour :rolleyes:

"I didn't know how big it was going to get", this was a Great Dane and anyone who knows their dogs know they get big:rolleyes:

"It doesn't match my couch", I don't know what this one was but it's disgraceful none the less:mad:

If I was living in my old house I would have no problems at all going and getting a rescue dog, especially as myself and OH have a lot of time that can be devoted to it, but as we're now living in a first floor flat I do not think it would be at all fair.

The couch one is certainly genuine! :rolleyes::mad:

http://dogstrustblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/you-handed-your-dog-over-why.html

catkins · 18 February 2009 at 6:27PM

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

‘landlord won’t allow’, ‘new baby’, or ‘can’t afford’.

Although I don't agree with getting rid of a dog just on a whim, the above are genuine reasons, surely?

We rescued a greyhound who was going to be killed the following day. She was not good with children. At the time we were not planning any children.

However, two years later our son was on the way and we would not have felt happy having the dog around the child.

So we gave her away to a friend and she lived happily ever after to a ripe old age.

Also, someone may have to move house or lost their job through no fault of their own and be unable to keep the dog.

I think all the above scenarois are acceptable reasons for having to rehome a dog.

No I don't think they are necessarily acceptable reasons. If a landlord won't allow dogs then find one that does. I live in a rented house and this is my third house with my dog. I have not had any real problems finding a landlord who will accept pets.

The new baby one really annoys me. Firstly if you intend having children and do not think dogs and babies mix then don't get a dog. I can understand if you have a dog and maybe accidentally get pregnant but how can people just give up a dog? My dog is so precious to me I could not imagine any circumstances that would make me give him up. I would just be heartbroken.

Also can't afford. Well I guess if you lose your job and maybe your house then it could be difficult to afford your dog but a dog does not really have to cost that much. They certainly do not necessarily cost a lot to feed.

A dog is for life? please read if you are thinking of getting a pup

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