I know lots of you have pets. I'm thinking about settling full time into one job (geez, I'm a recruiters dream at the moment) and also settling down for me means, pets again. I live alone and have always had dogs, but my dogs were the geriatric type that did well with my crazy schedule.
I'm thinking about getting another geriatric dog, but I'm wondering if thats advisable, as I'll be doing 12's. Should I stick to a cat??
What do you do, especially those who like me, are single and such...
interesting to know...i had a class mate whose cat had downs syndome...sounds similar...iwould love cats if they didn't shed...bleck!
You know, his ears weren't normal, either - they never stood up all pointy like they should have. They kind of pointed out to the side, like a lamb or something. Maybe he had low-set ears? I really should do a google on this - I didn't know cats could have Downs. I could totally see it with this cat. And just like a Downs child, he was the most affectionate cat we've ever had, EVER. He liked nothing more than to sit on your chest as you laid down on the couch or bed, and he'd "kiss" you with his nose. His name was Corky (yes, like the kid from "Life Goes On") and we called his kisses "being Corkied."
I work only 8-10 hour shifts, but the way that I solved the problem was to fence in my yard and put a doggy-door in, and my boys go in and out when needed. Puppies require you to be home to train them, and I have one dog who is in his last lap of life, and I feel sad when I am not home to be with him. Dogs give you love all the time, and they help me when I have had a hard day. I have poodles.
I work only 8-10 hour shifts, but the way that I solved the problem was to fence in my yard and put a doggy-door in, and my boys go in and out when needed. Puppies require you to be home to train them, and I have one dog who is in his last lap of life, and I feel sad when I am not home to be with him. Dogs give you love all the time, and they help me when I have had a hard day. I have poodles.
I work only 8-10 hour shifts, but the way that I solved the problem was to fence in my yard and put a doggy-door in.
Yeah ... but I have a problem with coyotes!
I have a huge yard which is two thirds of an acre and, ordinarily, it would be great, but coyotes have been hopping the fence! And this isn't a small fence either. It's eight feet tall! I'm scared to death they're going to eat my little jack russell terrier while I'm away!
So we're putting a doggie door in the front since the coyotes haven't infiltrated the front yard yet, just the back, which is separated by cross fencing on the property. I'm hoping my other two bigger dogs will protect the little one ... since they have chased the coyotes away before ... but I worry about it all the time.
I can't believe the coyotes are hopping fences these days. It really causes problems because ... one the one hand, it's terrible to leave your dogs locked up all day but ... what if a coyote gets them? I would be totally devastated if anything ever happened to my babies.
Cyotes sound just awful. and realy scary. I saw one on the road out in Colorado one night and they really can appear very menacing.
Update:
I thought it would take forever to find a dog, so I called Breed rescue. Now, I have 2 offers of senior Cairn terriers... (% and 10 yrs of age, since most live to be about 18 they aren't really all that senior!) I had to tell them to please wait a few weeks while I get settled in!!!!!
LIZZ- i'm surprised your JRT hasn't yet jumped that fence, they are such bouncy little guys!
LIZZ- i'm surprised your JRT hasn't yet jumped that fence, they are such bouncy little guys!
Normally she would and, because she's such a great escape artist, we had to wire the entire fence which prevents her from doing that. She wears a collar and if she goes within a foot or two of the fence, she gets a little shock. I hate doing that to her but, if she escaped the coyotes would get her for sure. And it actually works great. She doesn't leave the yard, even when we forget to close the gate.
I would be totally devastated if anything ever happened to my babies.
:uhoh21:
And that is exactly what they are too! Our little babies. I have my three pounder and 10 pounder on my lap as I type. I can't move around because it will wake them. LOL
You know, his ears weren't normal, either - they never stood up all pointy like they should have. They kind of pointed out to the side, like a lamb or something. Maybe he had low-set ears? I really should do a google on this - I didn't know cats could have Downs. I could totally see it with this cat. And just like a Downs child, he was the most affectionate cat we've ever had, EVER. He liked nothing more than to sit on your chest as you laid down on the couch or bed, and he'd "kiss" you with his nose. His name was Corky (yes, like the kid from "Life Goes On") and we called his kisses "being Corkied."
I love this cat and I've never met him!!! :) He sounds really awesome.
I think I am going to wait till I can get a dog... rabbits are messy outside, I remember so I can imagine that'd be the case inside as well. I hadn't thought about that before though... thanks!!
I know lots of you have pets. I'm thinking about settling full time into one job (geez, I'm a recruiters dream at the moment) and also settling down for me means, pets again. I live alone and have always had dogs, but my dogs were the geriatric type that did well with my crazy schedule.
I'm thinking about getting another geriatric dog, but I'm wondering if thats advisable, as I'll be doing 12's. Should I stick to a cat??
What do you do, especially those who like me, are single and such...
I have 2 dogs and a cat who thinks he's a dog...:chuckle The cat is fine for 12+ hours. The dogs...I feel bad if they are ever left for longer than 8 hours and it does happen from time to time. They've been left alone for 12 hours very infrequently. It depends on the individual dog. Can he/she stay inside (or where ever) that long without going out? Will the dog get frustrated and start chewing your home up?? You have to remember, you'll be gone longer than 12 hours...add in the drive time and the times you will be running late.
My two shelties...or should I say 3?? Are very spoiled. My husband and I have opposite days off usually, and they are rarely home alone for very long at all.
I love this cat and I've never met him!!! He sounds really awesome.
He was the best cat ever. He was over 25 pounds (lots of fun why he'd walk across your chest and belly to lay down) and ended up getting diabetes when he was 10 or 11. We gave him insulin BID for 3 years. This cat, the only thing he was ever really smart about was those shots. He seemed to sense when it was time, and he'd go stand by the fridge and wait for us to get his insulin Then he'd watch us get out a syringe, and he liked to bump his nose against the orange cap, like he was saying, "Yeah, that's my medicine." After we drew it up, he'd actually lean his head down so we could get to his neck, then after the shot (he never even flinched) he'd go have a snack like we taught him. The ONLY smart thing the animal ever seemed to do! When he was about 14, he just suddenly turned into a grumpy old man of a cat. He was just not happy anymore, and the vet said his kidneys were starting to go. So we ended up putting him down. I still miss him, five years later.
My two shelties...or should I say 3?? Are very spoiled. My husband and I have opposite days off usually, and they are rarely home alone for very long at all.
You know, I'm the first to admit that I am NOT a dog person. But something about shelties just melts me. There are two of them that are a part of my hospital's pet therapy program. Sometimes I'll pass them in the hall or elevator if I happen to be there on day shift. They're so beautiful, almost majestic. These two, of course, are very very well behaved and are kept extremely clean. Is this something that is typical with shelties? Are they very easy to get along with and keep smelling fresh?
You know, I'm the first to admit that I am NOT a dog person. But something about shelties just melts me. There are two of them that are a part of my hospital's pet therapy program. Sometimes I'll pass them in the hall or elevator if I happen to be there on day shift. They're so beautiful, almost majestic. These two, of course, are very very well behaved and are kept extremely clean. Is this something that is typical with shelties? Are they very easy to get along with and keep smelling fresh?
Well....he he...Mine smell fresh after they've been groomed....which by the way, with a long haired dog, you have to do frequently. At $120 a pop each time they go, I take them about once every 6 weeks. I have their hair cut short (summer cut) because it's usually pretty warm here (Florida) and they are more comfortable. Although they are beautiful when their hair is long...I don't tell them it looks kinda funny short... just makes them look like large Sheltie puppies...what they don't know, won't hurt them...
I think Shelties are very pleasant. They are always trying to please you. They never hold a grudge and if they do, it's not for very long. They love everyone...Just very very friendly dogs...and very smart too.
One of my shelties, my sable female would be perfect for that kind of work. Everytime I see a Sheltie out in public...I just gawk at them....they are so cute...
I have two hounds, and I work 8 hour shifts. I walk them at 4:15 am and wear them out. They have pee'd on everything by then, gotten some exercise and sleep all day. But, if I had to work 12 hours I would get a pet sitter to let them out.
just makes them look like large Sheltie puppies...what they don't know, won't hurt them...
Gompers, BSN, RN
2,691 Posts
You know, his ears weren't normal, either - they never stood up all pointy like they should have. They kind of pointed out to the side, like a lamb or something. Maybe he had low-set ears? I really should do a google on this - I didn't know cats could have Downs. I could totally see it with this cat. And just like a Downs child, he was the most affectionate cat we've ever had, EVER. He liked nothing more than to sit on your chest as you laid down on the couch or bed, and he'd "kiss" you with his nose. His name was Corky (yes, like the kid from "Life Goes On") and we called his kisses "being Corkied."