I'm thinking about getting a dog.

[Guanche]

I stress only thinking. I've had to say good bye to four dogs while I was working and it was quite devastating as many will know from their own experiences. After the last one I vowed never to have another because of this. However I have been thinking recently maybe I should have another go but I'm seriously in two minds.
So I thought about this 'fostering' thing, just to get the feel of it. I have to honest there is a voice in the back of my mind saying 'don't do it' But if I don't try I'll never know. I'm just a bit worried about bringing a dog home and then after a week or so I find my voice was right. And I have to take it back. The optimist in me says 'Well at least I gave a dog a break from the kennels for a while' But the pessimist says 'Poor mixed up dog'
What do you think

[Janet]

I had dogs all my life until the late 1990s and then circumstances never really allowed one. Then, when we moved up the hill here, there were always reasons why it wasn't a good idea ... until Rosie found us.

Now OK, she's a little madam, and it's been a bit chaotic at times to say the least because she is a real character, but she's brought a joy, laughter, and affection into our lives that I now wouldn't choose to be without ... even when she digs a just-watered patch of the garden and comes in and jumps on the sofa, or refuses to come when she's called, or can't stop chewing because she's teething .....

We wouldn't have gone out looking for her, but as I say, she found us and just moved in almost without a by your leave ... so the situation is different, but I think fostering is a good idea if you're really not certain. The only thing I'd say is to make sure that she won't be taken from you unless you want her to go ... because yours might just steal your heart like our Rosie did to us ...

[attachimg=1]

[Perikles]

It also depends on your sense of humour or not. Would you find it funny to find half a rotten goat's head on the sofa and the dog outside eating the only pair of shoes you had? I didn't. 

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

Five years ago I shared your sentiments.  Our two had gone to the great kennel in the sky, and although we missed dogs and were able to live an adult life for a change, it just didn't seem right.  So we committed to this:

[attach=1]

I had a horrible feeling in my gut when we picked him up and was positive we had made a mistake.  After a week of the little bastard I was ready to send him back.  Then, six months later, he was joined by this:

[attach=2]

Now I was really stuck.  However, dogs being what they are, well before she arrived I would never have traded him for anything.  And she has the most unique personality ever.  No regrets at all.  This is the kind of cuteness we enjoy daily.

[attach=3][attach=4]

  Go for it.  Your heart can always expand for another dog. 

Keep us posted.

[Nova]

I also say go for it.  I have been devastated with every dog we have lost with old age, but you can't say that the years of joy they bring aren't worth it.  I would have had a dog here if I could, but pinny gigs are far better suited to the lifetstyle of a single person working full time.  I still miss my Gilbert every day, but I wouldn't have missed out on the company of my loved-up little boy just to avoid the pain of losing him.

Make sure you share the photos 

[Nova]

Any updates Guanche?  Have you succumbed to those puppy dog eyes yet?   

[Guanche]

No the jury still out. My biggest problem is that I've never had a dog as a pet, only working dogs. This the dilemma I have. At the end of the day the dogs went their way (the kennel, and a very nice kennel it was too) and I went my way into the house. My dogs were never more than a few yards away both on and off duty but we had, for some part of the day separate lives.....if you catch my drift.

I know the dog, if we got one, would not be allowed in the house but he would have full freedom of the garden, which is not small by any means. I would be with it most of the day as I spend most of my time outside or in the garage. I think I would have to give it some form of education, tricks and the like.

Reading this I must sound a bit hard

[Perikles]

Reading this I must sound a bit hard

Not remotely! If the dog is of an appropriate breed, that sounds very sensible.

[El Profesor]

I think I would have to give it some form of education, tricks and the like.

That's the thing.

Also it's good exercise having a dog