should i get a dog

[bongovanman]

hi all..over the past year or so i have been dogsitting a collie the odd weekend and more recently a yorkie for for longer.ideal as i am away a lot of weekends in country and its helped some friends out.anyways thats all about to change .the yorkie(flo) was no probs and i found easy to look after as i do shifts.big question is would it be fair for me to get a dog full time?as i now live alone i do shifts but normaly only out for 5hrs at a time tho 1 week in 3 i am out of house for 7hrs...??and what type of dog would be suited many thanx in advance as i am not rushing into this dedcision. stevie

[RATTER15]

Buffymad, I don't agree!! you are leaving that dog alone all that time, A jack Russell is not a dog to leave alone like that, I see it as selfish!

How do you know your dog is happy? just because he doesn't wreck the place?

"If you're comfortable with leaving a dog alone, he or she would get used to that routine"
what a selfish statement to make!!!

When getting a dog you need to consider what is right for the dog, not just yourselves, the fact that the dog tolerates being left alone for hours at a time does not mean the dog is happy!!!

and no I don't think the dog should be put down just because you cant find the time for it, I think you should attempt to re-home the dog with someone who can give it the time and energy required to look after any dog!!

[mollykins]

At least if you do dog sitting;
1) you get paid
2) no vets bills
3) it's not an inconvenience to you when you want to go on holiday etc, just don't book any in for that week.