Sigh, I already know the answer to this...

Person_one

...but does anyone know of some miraculous way a full time shift worker living alone in a flat with no outside space can have a dog?

I miss having a dog around

tealady

Hi
Have you thought about being a volunteer dog walker in your spare time? I know its not that same as having your own pet but might make you feel better.

Kittendreich

Pay for a dog walker or doggy 'daycare' - expensive and might not fit with your shifts...

zaksmum

No. No way at all. Totally unfair on the dog. They need company, not being left alone all day.

zzzLazyDaisy

Could you share a dog?

If you ask around there might be a disabled or elderly person who is having difficulty properly look after their dog, but if you could take the dog care in shifts with that person, you might both be able to enjoy the dog?

Sublime_2

You can't have one, realistically. It really wouldn't be fair.

Tropez

It depends.

I know someone who lived in similar circumstances to you and they managed it. They would drop their doggy off with some friends while they worked and then pick it up and take it for a walk after work before returning home. They had to litter box train the dog of course, but it worked for them.

But it would depend largely on whether you were able to find anyone who could consistently take care of your dog while you were not at home.

Youdontseeme

I feel for you, I am in the same position, desperate for a dog, live in a flat, work long hours.

Have you tried The Cinnamon Trust? They walk dogs for the elderly etc.
Although saying that, I have applied twice and never even got a responce from them.

I like the idea of a dog share, I "borrow" my neighbours dog, take her for walks, and have her for an hour or two here and there.

There is NOTHING that cheers me up more after a bad day than little doggy kisses lol, although I think it is making my craving for a dog even worse!

MaximumImpact

I know it's not the same but have you thought about a different kind of animal? Perhaps a cat or even a house rabbit???

I have dogs and cats amongst other things and although it isn't the same as a dog, cats are great little friends and quite frankly, they don't give a monkeys about being left all day..in fact...as long as the heatings on and the foods down...well, they'll lay in the same spot til you get home......

We're contemplating a house rabbit at the moment but not sure how it will fit into the mad house.......

hoogervaaner

I used to spend my weekends taking the dogs at Dogs Trust (then NCDL) for walks. It was brilliant, the dogs really enjoyed the extra attention and one to one quality time.

Person_one

I do already have rats, they're lovely but its not the same! I also walk my parents dog on lots of my days off.

Looks like its just not on the cards for me.