When I first got a dog I learned how many people don’t walk their dogs, it’s crazy
Yep my dog needs 1+ mile in the morning and at least 2 miles in the afternoon for optimal health - bowels, muscles, etc. He’s 7 now and acts like a dog half his age.
Then some of my friends are like “I try to take mine around the block at least once a week” and I am sad for their poor dog.
Hard to find good dogsitters who will actually take them on long walks too.
Once a week?? My god.
I walk my 10 year old husky 3 miles a day at least, and we usually go to the dog park at least every other day. He’s showing signs of aging, but he acts like a dog half his age.
I have two chihuahuas so I take them on three walks per day, but just two of those walks are what I call “medium” walks for them, it’s a few big blocks around the neighborhood.
What you reminded me of is when I do my 5+ km walks, I bring one of them in a shoulder bag carrier for dogs. They can’t walk that far every day due to their size but they still absolutely love the adventure.
I had an ex who wanted a dog. I wasnt like super adamant, but i was strong NO. Because I didnt want to walk a dog twice a day. Did I relent? Yes. Did she step help to help exercise the dog? No. Did I walk that dog every day until she broke up with me and kept him? Yes.
Did you need all this information? Maybe?
I enjoyed the extra information
i did in fact need to hear that you took the dog, godspeed
My neighbours were like that. I saw them walk their dogs once in 10 years.
Their dogs are long gone and mine turns 18 in July.
I just got back from my dog’s daily ~4 mile walk. We watch our friends dog occasionally and they don’t walk her at all and she’s a few years younger than my dog but she can barely move because she’s so overweight and doesnt get any exercise
Yeah, I got a shocking amount of incredulity from people at the office when I offhandedly mentioned walking my dog twice a day.
That’s why i don’t have a dog or a cat. I couldn’t do that to them. On the other hand, a dog from a dog shelter could see themselves rescued in the last second, if anyone takes them in. At least they would live in a safe place.
After being in a dog shelter, they may even enjoy some alone time. I imagine it being as stressful for dogs as it is for humans, to be incarcerated with strangers.
I’d say cats are different, I have two and when I get home they run after a laser pointer for 30mins and then they’re pooped. Plus they snuggle and sleep with me so that’s bonding time as well
Don’t let cats chase a laser pointer. They need to catch something to not get frustrated with their “hunt” - which you simulate with playing. Laser pointers are especially bad for this, even if you lead the cat to a treat or something.
You can have indoor cats. They sleep like 20 hours anyway.
Yeah I love alone and have a career where I cannot work at home. Sometimes I think about getting a pet, but I just can’t see it as being ethical in my situation. Sometimes I do ponder getting a cat though as they seem more independent, but I don’t have much experience with them.
Get two cats and they will be fine, if you are lucky one will be cuddly, the other one for sure will be upset you came home.
A cat has to go for a lap sit several times a day.
Fuck anyone who doesn’t get someone to go look after their dog for a few hours , especially if they are gone for 12 hours.
My job is 12 hour shifts plus an hour commute each way. This is a big part of why we haven’t already gotten a dog. Well that, and also until a few months ago we were in a pretty small apartment. My wife is home more than me, so we’re considering it, but I want to try to time it so that I’m off and there more early on for adjustment period and training.
Humans don’t deserve dogs. I want to be the kind of human who can almost disprove that fact.
If you lived alone I’d say it would be a terrible idea to get a dog. But if your wife is home a lot then it sounds like a much more doable situation imo.
…Shouldn’t that be the other way around…?
Me whenever dog owners do that
My dog usually prefers fetch in the backyard. I always give her the option of either. Sometimes she’ll go for the walk and then turn around after 5 minutes to go home and play.
That’s a familiar username! Are you the same poem_for_your_sprog that was on Reddit?
I don’t get it.
See i’d love to take my GSD out for more walks, but every time i try she drags my back to the door or lays on the ground to pout
