Early-retirement wannabe

bugslet

kidmugsy wrote: »

There's no end to the ways dogs are nicer than bosses.

Ahem, apart from me:p, my staff keep telling me it's the best place they've ever worked at. I'm basically a human Labrador, complete with propensity to eat anything!

Anonymous101 wrote: »

That's really interesting. From my own experience I think generally men are much less social and unless they have a hobby which facilitates some social interaction very few of us actually make time for friends.

I have a few female friends that complain about their husbands sitting at home doing nothing in terms of finding interests. It's quite sad for both parties. One of the husbands is 72 and works because he doesn't know what else to do with himself.

Anonymous101

bugslet wrote: »

I have a few female friends that complain about their husbands sitting at home doing nothing in terms of finding interests. It's quite sad for both parties. One of the husbands is 72 and works because he doesn't know what else to do with himself.

I agree, my dad is similar. He's still working hard in a physical job when he really ought not to be.

I think some guys are fine. They have great hobbies which get them out and interacting with people... being part of a village action team, learning a language, playing music, golf, fishing, even watching sport live all can allow social interaction but there's too many people that don't have any interests outside work and don't prepare for all that sudden free time before they retire.

marlot

Chickereeeee wrote: »

To each his own and all that, but seems odd (to me) to finally get almost unlimited freedom, but then immediately restrict that freedom with a dog...

We each have objectives in retirement. Yours clearly involves travel.



Mine is based much more in the community where I live, as shown by the package of things I'm getting involved with. And an important part of that is my dog - I've met lots of local people that I would otherwise not have done simply because I'm out and about with the pooch.

OldMusicGuy

Chickereeeee wrote: »

But, my point is, they are not used to retirement, and the freedom it (could) bring!

We have found this. We have a lovely smooth collie but she is old (13) and won't last long. When she dies we will not replace her because we want the flexibility to go off touring (mainly in our classic car) at short notice without having to organise kennels. We will probably not get another dog until we are older and have enjoyed the active years of our retirement.

bugslet

marlot wrote: »

We each have objectives in retirement. Yours clearly involves travel.



Mine is based much more in the community where I live, as shown by the package of things I'm getting involved with. And an important part of that is my dog - I've met lots of local people that I would otherwise not have done simply because I'm out and about with the pooch.

OldMusicGuy wrote: »

We have found this. We have a lovely smooth collie but she is old (13) and won't last long. When she dies we will not replace her because we want the flexibility to go off touring (mainly in our classic car) at short notice without having to organise kennels. We will probably not get another dog until we are older and have enjoyed the active years of our retirement.

I think both those replies just show that you need to know yourself. Whilst I haven't been retired or had any free time, I know that travel isn't going to be huge on my list, but like marlot I intend to be involved with more local activities. I live on my own and part of my retirement planning includes making new friends locally.

I absolutely know that I don't want to be dog free and I realise the restrictions they bring. Everyone has their own compromises to make.

Wednesday2000

bugslet wrote: »

I am thinking of getting another - three is not enough ( I once had 6), and I will possibly go back to volunteering with rescue dog transport and I may decide to do some ad hoc doggy day care.

I was thinking of doing cat or dog fostering after retirement. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats at the moment but they are a restriction so I thought fostering might be a good solution.:)

bugslet

Wednesday2000 wrote: »

I was thinking of doing cat or dog fostering after retirement. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats at the moment but they are a restriction so I thought fostering might be a good solution.:)

If, big if, I never have my own, the that's something that would appeal to me. Or you could look at volunteering for the cinnamon trust, they provide assistance to people that have maybe been rushed into hospital and want a home for a few weeks, or maybe recovering and can't walk their own dogs.

atush

Wednesday2000 wrote: »

I was thinking of doing cat or dog fostering after retirement. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats at the moment but they are a restriction so I thought fostering might be a good solution.:)

I will be looking into this, esp where i retire in FL for the winters. Cant replace my dog if I will be flyung back and forth each year.

kidmugsy

bugslet wrote: »

you could look at volunteering for the cinnamon trust, they provide assistance to people that have maybe been rushed into hospital and want a home for a few weeks, or maybe recovering and can't walk their own dogs.

What a good idea.

How long, though, will it be before the Cinnamon Trust is taken over by the sort of people who seem to have taken over almost all the national charities? You know the sort: big salaries and DB pensions, lots of virtue-signalling, angling for taxpayer doles, and devoting little energy or money to the cause they are meant to promote.

bugslet

Maybe it already has been. I tend not to ponder too much on such things otherwise half my life would be spent pondering the ethics of organizations, impacts of my carbon foot print, should I support British industry over foreign workers, who may need the job, but may also be exploited.

In the case of cinnamon, I'd view it as person wanting pet looking after for two weeks, I could that. And think no more.

Can you tell I'm feeling jaded!