My dog is forcing me to rethink my living situation
As you know, my beloved Fishface a.k.a. Hopu or Hapoo a.k.a. Derling a.k.a. Mister a.k.a. Baby Dog a.k.a. Squeezy was at Kyla's for a long time because it was too cold to fly him back to DC from Minneapolis. She has a dog (with just one name, Deuce) and they got to play every single day. Now he's back, but that means back to the old routine: home alone all day, five days a week. I think about him sitting there by himself and know how much he loves being around people and other dogs and how much energy he has, and I just feel so guilty. I know he's horribly bored and stressed, he chews stuff a lot or sits there and acts mopey. He's not like that when there are people or dogs around.
Therefore, these are some things I need: another dog. A house with a fenced yard and a doggy door on the back door. A cat or two to keep the dogs in line. Or $50 a day to bring him to doggy day care.
So what should I do? I could rent a house with some roommates who have pets, because I certainly can't afford to buy my own house. People who know me personally know I don't live well with others, I can be crabby and quite frankly, I'm not used to it anymore. I haven't had a roommate in almost six years. But maybe that's my only option, because who on god's green earth has $50 a day to spend on doggy day care??
What do you think I should do?
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Best advice I'll ever give, and you'll ever get: GET ANOTHER DOG. Seriously: 2 dogs are FAR easier than one. They entertain each other and don't get lonely. It's the same amount of work, too, once you get into the routine. I will never have an "only dog" again. 2 IS BETTER. (That said, 3 or 4 is probably too much!)
I was really nervous about adding a second dog to my home. That was nearly 5 years ago, after I'd had my first dog (Lucky) for just 1 year. She needed a buddy. She was bored and anxious. It took me a long time to find a dog that Lucky liked---we went to a million different "adoption days" before we found Finny. And seriously: it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I can't imagine my life without both of them, and it's been really, really easy. (Mostly because we were patient and willing to wait for the right dog.)
Another warning: people will accuse you of being crazy. My dad thought I was one step away from the looney bin, and mom just sighed, wondering where she led her poor daughter astray. Boyfriend worried I'd eventually end up on the news as an animal hoarder. Don't worry about these people: in my case, they all eventually agreed it was a good move. So there, people.
Get another dog!
Rachel, thank you! I really want to! I'm also really considering getting a roommate who has a dog so we can afford a house with a yard. Keeping the animal cooped up is fine for some breeds, but my dog needs more room to play.
I think it would be nice for Hopu to have a friend, Ginger, but will you feel any better leaving two dogs at home all day? It just sounds like it will put even more of a crimp in your style. I mean, instead of one dog to go home and take care of it's two. But it might help you to not feel so guilty too. Do you have friends that have dogs? Deucey loved (and misses) having Hopu around, but we take him for playdates with Morgan and he seems to be happy and content. Or, better yet, move here and Deucey and Hopu can be BFFs for life! :)
LOL, I wrote that. Did I really put Ginger??? WOW, had a little too much wine last night :D
Ok, something's jacked with this. At first it said Ginger wrote the comment and now when I refresh it says Kyla. I'm confused.
I fixed it!! LOL, Kyla your mind is blown way too easily.
find a local dogwalker - and let them know that you dog enjoys the company of other dogs. get into a good rotation for a couple/few days a week. i knew a guy in alexandria who regularly took out 6 dogs at a time in the afternoon to the dogpark. he dogsat for me and my girls loved him and the trips.
as a renter, i'd be VERY hesitant to add another dog to the mix, you'll have a much harder time finding a place if you need to in a squeeze. it also makes traveling tougher.
wait 'til you have your own place before adding another dog to the mix (and maybe a few cats, couple of horses, future pony...)
:)
I don't think getting a second dog is a bad idea, and finding a dog-walker sounds like an excellent suggestion. But I think the best option is finding roommates. It will take the most effort and maybe sometime until the fit is right, but think of it as allowing you to grow as a person.