Pet options? Is a dog irresponsible?
March 20, 2016 12:48 AM   Subscribe

Me previously and previously. Sadly, the surgery wasn't successful-- the cancer returned, and I'm saying my goodbyes this week. Yesterday I was asked if I could adopt two bonded senior dogs. Obviously, I can't for the foreseeable future, but now I'm thinking about possibly getting a dog as a next pet. Looking for opinions or relevant experience.

First of all, I will take time to go through the grieving process, so please don't worry about that. I'm not going to go out the day after my cat dies and get a new pet. This is just the start of my thinking process. I haven't ever lived without animals around, so I just know I'll want a new companion in some months.

Ordinarily, I would be looking for a new pair of cats. I've always wanted a dog (grew up with dogs), but I've never had any potential for a dog until now. (My last job involved intensive work travel.) I'm especially thinking about it now because I am so strongly bonded to my big cat that I feel a change would do me good in a next furry family member. I was a little surprised how much I wanted to take the two senior pups. So I'm wondering how responsible it would be to get a rescue dog. Issues and considerations:

--I work full time. I have flexibility to work from home at least some days out of every week, but there will regularly be full working days when I am not able to come back to the apartment.

--I live alone in an apartment. It's a biggish apartment by Hong Kong standards, (3 small bedrooms). I could humanely house two small-medium dogs, but no big dogs. Barking is obviously a huge issue in a city like Hong Kong. I am allowed to have dogs in this apartment, but not if they regularly bark when I am gone. (occasional barking at delivery men okay.)

--I can commit to doing at least two substantial walks a day myself (plus a short pee walk before bed.), and I have the financial means and available infrastructure to hire someone for at least one hour a day of private dog walking. I also have a pet sitting infrastructure already in place in case I do need to travel.

--I don't have the time or energy for a puppy, and would prefer older dogs. I am willing to take on two-- especially if they are a bonded pair.

--While I have the financial wherwithal and willingness to take a dog with medical issues, I have to consider that I am an expat here. While I plan to stay in Hong Kong for some time to come, there is a non-zero chance I could be relocated for work so it would not be responsible to take a dog who could not get a fitness to fly certificate.

What do you think? Dr. Google reveals different opinions about whether someone in my position should have a dog, so I'd love to hear from people in my situation who have either been successful or unsuccessful at dog ownership. What breeds do you think are best suited for apartment life, if any? (I will definitely take a rescue-- unfortunately, most breeds are available at the shelters.)
posted by frumiousb to Pets & Animals (8 answers total)
 
I'm sorry for what you're going through with your cat. You sound like you would be a very responsible, loving dog owner, especially to a senior dog. I say go for it! I adopted a senior lab about four months ago and he has completely changed my life for the better. My living situation is a lot like yours, although I'm in a different city (DC).

Also:

I live alone in an apartment. It's a biggish apartment by Hong Kong standards, (3 small bedrooms). I could humanely house two small-medium dogs, but no big dogs.

Actually, the size of your home isn't what makes dog(s) content, it's the amount of exercise and mental stimulation you can provide. A big dog that has its needs met can absolutely be happy in a smaller apartment. (And, conversely, a small/medium dog that isn't getting enough stimulation could be unhappy in that same apartment.)

posted by schroedingersgirl at 4:23 AM on March 20, 2016 [4 favorites]


Best answer: You sound like a great candidate for dog ownership. If you are able to work from home some days a week and can afford a dog-walker the other days, you're actually doing better than a lot of other dog owners.

As for the barking - not all dogs bark a lot. If you're working with a rescue to adopt an older dog, you can stipulate that you need one that won't bark excessively.

Seconding what schroedingersgirl says about size. Where I live, for instance, Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for being great apartment dogs, and they are massive.
posted by lunasol at 6:40 AM on March 20, 2016 [3 favorites]


If you can find a way to foster first, you can see how a dog (or dogs) might fit into your life without the lifetime commitment. That's what I did (but ended up with the lifetime commitment, because she's perfect).
posted by WesterbergHigh at 7:01 AM on March 20, 2016


Best answer: Agreed that you sound like a really good potential dog owner and because dogs are pack animals, a bonded pair who can keep each other company sounds like a great idea.
posted by cecic at 8:10 AM on March 20, 2016


I'll nth that you sound like a great candidate for taking on a dog (or dogs). An older dog would be lucky to have you!

And definitely don't rule out larger dogs. We have a 90 pound dog in a 3 bedroom apartment, and it's never been an issue. In fact, a lot of large dogs are even more chill and bigger couch potatoes then small dogs. My pup is a Great Pyrenees as I discussed in this answer to another question that I just posted (along with pics).

I also agree that fostering could be a good thing to explore as a first step to see how having a dog will work for your lifestyle.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:35 AM on March 20, 2016 [1 favorite]


One thought: you're an expat. How long do you plan on staying there in Hong Kong? If you adopt the senior dogs, would you be able to take them back home or take them to another assignment? They're senior, but could they live more years than expected, I assume. Would they pass any fitness fly tests now or in the future due to their age and health? Stuff to consider.
posted by vivzan at 10:26 AM on March 20, 2016 [1 favorite]


Older dogs need exercise to keep them mobile, not so much to burn off energy. They will probably sleep all day without problem, so taking them outside for a walk/pee stop in the morning and again in the evening and before bed may be enough. Especially since they have each other for company. Ask a lot of questions about these dogs' usual routines and whether they're able to stay home all day by themselves.

A concern I would have about senior dogs is that, being older, they can have less control over their bodily functions as time goes on. Sometimes it doesn't matter if you're vigilant about taking them outside several times a day, they just won't recognize their needs anymore. If that happens, well you can put pee pads down and keep them restricted to a room where a mess on the floor is ok and easy to clean up. So long as you have such a room, and get gates to restrict their access.

A lot of dogs will have hip/mobility problems as they get older. If you can't carry them comfortably (i.e. larger dogs), I would be hesitant to take them if there were lots of stairs to navigate to get in and out of the apartment.
posted by lizbunny at 6:45 AM on March 21, 2016


Response by poster: Hi all, thanks. The fit to fly issue is a real one, so it seems I'm looking at middle aged dogs and not senior dogs. Reading online, it seems they also have serious difficulties finding a home.

But you've been reassuring that I'm not irresponsible to even think about it. And that helps. Dealing with the last days of my beloved asshole cat first. But somehow this has been a comforting conversation.
posted by frumiousb at 5:10 PM on March 22, 2016 [1 favorite]


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