How Much Is That Doggy In The Window?

October 3, 2007 1:43 PM

Should I get a puppy?

You know you're in trouble when you get an email titled, "Free puppies." A friend forwarded this today:

"My friend Scott rescued 6 black lab (mix) puppies out of the middle of the road on Saturday. PLEASE help me find them homes - otherwise, it's Animal Control - which means they only have 5 days. We've bathed them, sprayed them for fleas and wormed them....but we can't keep them. They are currently in a kennel in my basement since I don't have a fence. I've lost count of the number of rescue groups that I've contacted, only to be turned down due to no room. Please check with every dog person you know to see if they need a puppy."

Three years ago, almost to the day, my dog died. He was almost 17, and I had him for all but the first few months of his life. He was a great dog, exceptionally healthy (until his last 2 years) and smart and, well, you know.

This is not, 'Oh, I miss my dog,' or me trying to replace him. I have not been sad or reminiscing, and, in fact, he was a handful. I loved him very much, but I also let him rule the house (he owned the sofa,) and he did, at times, make me a bit nuts. (I would definitely enroll in an "obedience" school," and would enroll the dog, too!) The first year or so without him was tough, but recently I have been thinking of adopting another dog. My friends think I'm nuts. I live in a small studio (with a great view!) in Manhattan (NYC.) I am a writer and work from home/Starbucks, so I would be available to take care of a dog. I am financially comfortable, so healthcare for the dog would not be a problem. I am 45, single, (available and gay, in case anyone's interested!) so, no conflicting responsibility issues.

I know that the answer is not predicated on this opportunity. Sadly, there are thousands of dogs (and cats) put down at "the pound" every year. This just seems a bit "fateful," if you will.

Should I respond and take one? (Secretly, I would love to have two, but I'm probably crazy for considering one...)

Thoughts?
Thanks!

posted by davidinmanhattan to pets & animals (52 comments total)

All I see here are pros, no cons. Go get your puppy, you silly man.
posted by hermitosis at 1:46 PM on October 3, 2007 [4 favorites]

Yes.
posted by Stynxno at 1:47 PM on October 3, 2007

We were set against getting any more kitties (we had three). Then a friend found a teeny kitten in a bookstore parking lot and I agreed to foster her until we could find her owner/find her somewhere to live.

It only took two weeks to decide she wasn't going anywhere (all attempts to find owners met with silence). She's the most awesome little thing and I am so glad she came into our lives.

Get the puppy. And then give us pictures.
posted by cooker girl at 1:50 PM on October 3, 2007

Woof.
posted by Tomorrowful at 1:50 PM on October 3, 2007

Labs are pretty big dogs, and they like lots of exercise. They're great pets, but I tend to think they're not well-suited to apartment dwellers, unless you can commit to quite a bit of outdoor time. And, as big as they get, two might be tough in a small studio.

That said, exercise is the only real reason I can see not to get one, and it might give you an excuse to get out for some exercise of your own every day.
posted by Malor at 1:51 PM on October 3, 2007

Well, I got the same exact email. (And I'm in DC.) According to a follow-up email I received yesterday, all of these puppies have been adopted. But you should still get a puppy, but from the pound instead!
posted by inigo2 at 1:51 PM on October 3, 2007

Yup get one
posted by zeoslap at 1:51 PM on October 3, 2007

Yes, you should get a puppy. I'm not sure if you should get one of these puppies but you should definitely get a dog. Go look at these puppies if you wish - you'll either fall in love with one of them or realize that none of them are for you. Since you've owned a dog you do realize vet costs - neutering/spaying, flea control, microchipping, etc.
posted by fluffy battle kitten at 1:52 PM on October 3, 2007

That particular email is a hoax, so those puppies won't be available.

But sure, if you have the time and desire definitely rescue a dog whose like would otherwise probably not be so good without you.
posted by COD at 1:52 PM on October 3, 2007 [2 favorites]

Hmmm, I got the exact same e-mail today, too...... Might want to check that those puppies actually exist.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 1:53 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

When faced with the question "Do I get a puppy?", the answer is always "yes". Always.
posted by Evangeline at 1:54 PM on October 3, 2007 [4 favorites]

We have a dog in a small studio apartment in Manhattan and it has not made our life worse in any way. Go get your dog.
posted by merocet at 1:55 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

Get a puppy! (But maybe not one of those nebulously-existant ones.)
posted by fuzzbean at 1:56 PM on October 3, 2007

Although the email is a hoax, maybe you should go down to the pound and rescue another one yourself?
posted by puddpunk at 1:57 PM on October 3, 2007

Yeah, I got it too - and so did my mom, and we got them from very different sources - so I would check. I also tried to email the girl mentioned as the contact person in the email - and that emaiol address doesn't exist...

Aside from these particular puppies... if you've thought it through, there are so many puppies (and older dogs) that need homes and love. Just remember how it changes your life around, and that it's a big commitment.

A friend of mine in NYC does fostering for dogs - is that something you might want to try?
posted by KAS at 1:59 PM on October 3, 2007

Heh, I got the same exact e-mail only it was a girl named Andrea listed as the contact, not Scott. These "adopt these poor cute puppies" e-mails often wind up becoming sort of like e-mail hoaxes as they get out of the original sender's control and sometimes get twisted along the way. Check Snopes out for the infamous golden retriever puppies ... everyone always says it's from a friend of a friend, but it never is.

But get a puppy!!! Or even a 1 or 2 year old dog.
posted by tastybrains at 2:07 PM on October 3, 2007

Get one. Dogs add +5 hotness.
posted by casarkos at 2:13 PM on October 3, 2007

Yes!
posted by Ostara at 2:14 PM on October 3, 2007

Good for you, good for doggie!

Yes.
posted by kuujjuarapik at 2:17 PM on October 3, 2007

I like that I can tell who is reading the other comments in the thread and who is just blurting it out MAS-style.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:20 PM on October 3, 2007 [2 favorites]

MAS? Que quiere decir "MAS"?
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 2:23 PM on October 3, 2007

This has become a very simple problem: just ask yourself whether you are relieved or disappointed to find out these puppies aren't real. Now you can decide without guilt or pressure.

However, the tone of your question suggest you really do want a puppy or a dog, so please follow-up with pictures. We really do need pictures.
posted by lioness at 2:25 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

No. Get a greyhound instead. You'll love it. I promise. Far too many of them get killed every year, and HOLYJESUSARETHEYCUTE. The benefits (in my mind) - they're already house trained. They're crate trained. They're socialized. Did I mention that they're cute? They're good for small-housing situations (I live in a 1-bedroom condo with my my wife, 2 cats, and a dog). They sleep all the damn time. They don't shed (much). They don't chew shit up. In short, they're the perfect dog.

And, if you're hesitant, you can foster them in between the track and their forever homes.

I have to evangelize for greyhounds in any dog-related thread. It's a disease. I think I contracted it from my wife.
posted by god hates math at 2:29 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

Get ur ass down to the local pound and get thee a puppee!
posted by k8t at 2:29 PM on October 3, 2007

Even though the email was a hoax, I say get a puppy! And I'm not just saying that because I recently adopted one. I live in a 500 s/f cottage, and I work away from home. I adopted her after careful consideration, ultimately to keep her from becoming a rescue, and I haven't regretted it for a minute. Your lifestyle (being at home, not having any pets currently) seems well suited for it, and you'd be (potentially) giving a dog a great home. Yay!
posted by mewithoutyou at 2:33 PM on October 3, 2007

MAS? Que quiere decir "MAS"?

Male Answer Syndrome.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 2:34 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

Yeah, normally apartment in Manhattan would make me say no, because if you have to leave the dog alone all day while you're at work... but the fact that you're a freelancer, and can walk the dog several times a day... well, I think lioness is right. If you're disappointed that these particular puppies don't exist, head to the pound and get one that does.
posted by MsMolly at 2:34 PM on October 3, 2007

Get a puppy. You will walk the puppy, or be sitting outside a coffeeshop with the puppy, and the man of your dreams will stop to coo over your puppy. True love and a puppy!
posted by rtha at 2:41 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

I got that e-mail, too. As god hates math says, greyhounds are indeed the cutest dogs on the face of the earth! You can't get a puppy, but teaching them all about their new world (having never lived in a house before; track life is way different) is a great and rewarding experience.

Or, go rescue any ol' dog. But definitely rescue one; don't buy one from a breeder! (IMHO)

GET DOGS! Or, as I pronounce it, dogues.
posted by iguanapolitico at 2:49 PM on October 3, 2007

Always. Get. The. Puppy.
posted by spec80 at 2:50 PM on October 3, 2007

Definitely get a puppy from one of the many animal rescue places in NYC, actually, TimeOut NY just mentioned some in their animal issue. Animal Haven was one of them, check it out!
posted by rmless at 2:52 PM on October 3, 2007

No. Get a greyhound instead. You'll love it. I promise.

Yeah. Rumor is that greyhounds are perfect city dogs, because you have to exercise the hell out of them for 20 minutes a day, and after that all they want to do is chill.

And if you've never had a dog in the city before, make sure you think long and hard about spending an hour every day (whether you're sick or well, tired or rested) caring for another sentient being. "Let him out into the yard" isn't really an option.
posted by Kwantsar at 3:00 PM on October 3, 2007

I'm gonna go against the flow and say that getting a medium or larger dog in a small studio apartment in a city is very selfish. You might be happy, but it isn't great for the dog.

Medium/big dogs are suburban and rural animals. Cats and little yappy dogs are for small city apartments.
posted by Justinian at 3:03 PM on October 3, 2007

Whenever I want to get a dog, I will ask god hates math.

Otherwise, I am amused at the quantity of people who have gotten this email in the past day or two.
posted by that girl at 3:43 PM on October 3, 2007

Unless this is some kind of miniature dog I doubt it will be happy in a studio. Labs are big dogs. Go get a pug or something.
posted by damn dirty ape at 3:44 PM on October 3, 2007

Big dogs are fine in apartments. Most big dogs (well, Labs at least) are much less likely to annoy your neighbours than the "little yappy dogs" Justian recommends. Of course, as others have said, you'll to take them out instead of letting them out, but if I were a dog, that's what I'd prefer anyway.

Dogs need exercise, companionship, training and stimulation; they don't particularly need space. After all, without people they'd still be living in little holes in the ground.
posted by timeistight at 3:45 PM on October 3, 2007

Get you some puppy!
posted by WyoWhy at 3:46 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

Small world. I got that EXACT same e-mail yesterday too! Now I understand why they were all gone when I called to inquire. Oh well, at least the puppies found homes!
posted by pigwidgeon at 3:48 PM on October 3, 2007

I went without a dog for 12 years after mine poisoned herself and broke my heart. It was a mistake. My puppy was the best purchase I've made in years.

The first three months with a new dog can be rough, but the cons are worth the pros after you put the time in. Dogs open your heart and the unconditional love they provide is so incredible. And they're so dang funny! Taking my dog for our Sunday run on the beach is the highlight of my week... nothing is more fun than watching her run in circles on the sand like a crazy little spaz. Plus it's a good workout for me.

Get the puppy.
posted by miss lynnster at 3:49 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

You got to show your dog who's the alpha or they will assume the job. So going to obedience school is essential. Don't just send the dog off though, get a trainer to train YOU to train your dog.

That said I think you should get one, a dog really will be your best friend.
posted by jockc at 4:28 PM on October 3, 2007

What jockc said. The Dog Whisperer show really really helped me figure out how to do that with my dog.

Also... nthing the importance of exercise. A tired dog is a good dog.
posted by miss lynnster at 4:44 PM on October 3, 2007

I think you sound like you'd make an excellent owner (and I truly don't say that very often).

Before you decide, please do your homework: find a good obedience school (NOT one that espouses alpha theory nonsense as it's usually employed, one that actually uses the scientific behavior modification methods like classical and operant conditioning); read some good, modern books to refresh your mind about what dogs are all about, especially in light of the newer knowledge we have now ("The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson is a great one to start with, ideally BEFORE you get a dog), and then make your mind up. A dog will be with you for probably at least a decade, it will have times when it is sick and needs your time and your money, it will eat things it shouldn't and mess things up you'd rather it hadn't, it will mean that you have to do things like go for a walk in a snowstorm when you have the flu and a migraine, and it will probably be very frustrating at times (do not get a dog if you cannot stand the thought of any of those things at this time of your life). But it will also be there for you no matter what, it will provide you with warmth, affection and unconditional love, it will open doors of communication with people you might never have otherwise spoken to, and it will be the best friend you have ever had. I truly feel like I could not live without my dogs, but I also would never in a million years take on the responsibility for one if I wasn't prepared for the time, (sometimes serious) money, and work they entail. If you're going to own a dog, do it properly, you are the only one who has a say in the matter, so exercise that power responsibly and with awareness.

I heartily second the Greyhound suggestion, they are lovely dogs, are usually very happy in small spaces (because they are "plunkers": they go where they want to go and stay there. Unlike many smaller breeds which some people think are better-suited to small spaces, but which instead often have far more energy and need to be busy all the time - many of the smaller breeds are the LEAST well-suited dogs to living in small spaces), and a rescued one comes pre-trained to almost everything most people have trouble with (crate training, housetraining, leash training). If you do go the Greyhound route, do keep in mind that they are notorious for having bad teeth, but as long as you find a vet who is progressive and aggressive about dental health, and are willing to put the time and money in, that should not be a problem. I would strongly recommend against most of the working, herding, sporting or terrier breeds unless you are a jogger who needs someone to run with and can put miles on the dog every day, and are also committed to serious and ongoing (as in: for most of the dog's life) training. Labs are not a suitable choice for someone who isn't prepared to recognize that they are bred to do hard physical work all day. Before you decide on a dog, research what its breed (or breeds) is meant to do and decide if those characteristics suit your lifestyle, you can redirect a dog's bred-in characteristics, but you cannot truly eradicate them, nor is it reasonable to try. Good luck!
posted by biscotti at 5:00 PM on October 3, 2007 [2 favorites]

For what it's worth, I got this exact same email about two weeks ago, and I live in North Carolina. Could this be six degrees of separation, or perhaps a chain email?
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:16 PM on October 3, 2007

MAS? Que quiere decir "MAS"?
Male Answer Syndrome.

Also known as SCDB-itis.

zing!
posted by god hates math at 5:34 PM on October 3, 2007 [2 favorites]

I wanted a dog for years, but decided I wasn't "responsible enough" or something. Finally a friend of mine said something to the effect of, "Of all the things you'll buy, the only one that will net happiness, is a dog."

I found one of the best parts of my life on petfinder. I wanted a lazy, cuddly dog that was good with kids and there she was, 5 hours away. It's has been worth it for every single minute since she came home with me.

So, why wasn't it that you were going to get yourself a dog that needs a home?
posted by Gucky at 6:31 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

This thread made me reach over and pet my greyhound.
posted by nev at 6:54 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

Please consider getting an older dog from the pound instead of a puppy! I have an amazing 14 year old Blue Heeler who came from the pound and I wouldn't trade him for anything. He already knew all about crapping outside, and as an ex-working dog (we think) he's extremely responsive to commands. One last bonus is that because he's older he needs much less exercise than a pup, perfect in the inner city.
posted by Rubyspicer at 9:47 PM on October 3, 2007 [1 favorite]

Yep, you have all pro's and no con's. Get the puppy! And, actually, you sound like an amazing pet parent and I think it would be fantastic if you could adopt two. It would make the dogs happier, probably make you happier and it sounds like you have the time/money.

Observe the puppies where they are now and see if there are two that stick together.
posted by thebrokenmuse at 9:54 PM on October 3, 2007

Oh yes, greyhounds DO chew things---my mother's mangled the filling of her bed while the cover was being washed.

I had two dogs as I grew up, but I lived in a house in LA with a huge yard and a pet door. I still miss my lab, but I live in NYC now and am not willing to deal with walking a dog in rotten weather.
posted by brujita at 10:16 PM on October 3, 2007

Get a rescue greyhound. You've been a dog owner before, you work from home and care for and walk the dog. People I've known with greyhounds assure me that they do very well in apartments.

They also say don't walk them without a leash due to that sighthound nature. Squirrel--they're off! And er, fast.

You + the greyhound... think of the interesting men you'll meet...

You really sound like you're right for another dog. Some canine is out there, waiting for you. Get a dog!
posted by Savannah at 10:22 PM on October 3, 2007

Everyone,

Thank you all so much for your comments and for all the time you invested to help me. I have learned a lot!
It's great that the puppies who, in a way, initiated this are all being cared for, and thanks to those who realized quickly it was not to be.

I can't say I am 100% certain that I will go out and adopt a dog(s?) tomorrow, but I think it's time, and you all helped me reach that decision. Time to do some homework! Fortunately, I have a vet (from my first dog,) and evidently, a lot of places to go to adopt. (I would not buy a dog from The Dog Store in the mall, although I feel bad for those dogs as well.)

Oh, and I will share pictures when & if there is a dog in them!

BTW, you should know that I took the liberty of writing about this in my blog. I'm thinking of making it into a small, 'how to adopt a dog in NYC, and what you need to do first' piece.

Again, your help and kind thoughts are much appreciated.
You guys rock!
posted by davidinmanhattan at 3:14 PM on October 4, 2007

Cool!

By the way, I looked in shelters for about six months before I got my dog. All they had were pit bulls & chihuahuas, and I was getting really frustrated. I kind of gave up. I had wanted a little mellow fur ball dog, but it felt like I was never going to find the right one.

Then 3 days after I came back from a long trip I decided to pop into the SPCA on a whim... and suddenly there was my dog. She wasn't a fur ball. And she wasn't mellow. She didn't fit the description of what I thought I wanted. Yet it was instant, the understanding that she was mine. I filled out the application but the shelter couldn't get ahold of my landlord for approval, so I was told I couldn't take her home. They said it was first come first serve for the next person and so I figured I lost her forever. I called at the end of the day expecting to hear she was gone, but they said that 4 other people had put in applications but nobody had taken her home yet. They said the first person in the door in the morning could have her. So I forged my landlord's approval (I knew it was okay, they were out of town at a wedding though) and I camped out in front of the shelter in the morning like I was waiting to buy concert tickets or something. I kept thinking, "What the hell am I doing?" but I just knew I had to do it. I just couldn't control my need to take that dog home.

You'll find the same thing, I'm sure. You'll know when you've found the right dog. In the meantime, don't rush it or stress over it. Don't force it. One day you'll just find yourself face to face with a creature that you instantly bond with and want to care for and have around you.

And when that happens, even if you have to camp out in your car and forge signatures... get the dog. It'll be a good thing. :)
posted by miss lynnster at 4:12 PM on October 4, 2007