Why Oh Why

[Purple_Popple]

Do some people and I've now witnessed 4 'friends' of mine do this, they get a dog, then get married and have kids, then they get rid of the dog. Then a few months later, after the children are grown a little, get another dog !!! Someone explain as I just dont understand this one.

[Old_Geezer]

Too much on to cope with a pet for the duration ?
Maybe you have found a business opportunity. Pet care for 3 to 6 months while folk get themselves sorted.

[Prudie]

Lack of respect and value for animals IMO. I see it all the time on Gumtree ads, especially with cats 'lovely 8 month old kitten, loves cuddles blah blah, has to go because I'm pregnant or child is allergic or moving and can't have pets or my other cat doesn't like it blah blah'. £80.

Makes my blood boil.

[viv38]

I'm with you Prudie.

[lankeela]

Because its a throw away society these days - I would be very reluctant to let a young couple have one of my puppies, for this very reason, unless they come from a 'doggy' background. Dogs are so easy to come by now though that they can just get rid and go and get another any time. I suspect they don't reason the amount of work and time involved in properly caring for a dog.

[lainiej]

My step-son and his partner are now on dog number 3 since they got together 2 yrs ago. Initially she had a Chihuahua then a couple of weeks into the relationship she bought him a Staffie. As they couldn't cope with the Staffie they got rid of her to a 'friend' (God knows where the dog is now!) then they got rid of the Chihuahua to another 'friend'. Then at Christmas a black Lab puppy appeared on the photos of the 2 kids opening their presents!! We were appalled and still are! Bloody idiots..esp now as he is working away !! These people never seem to amaze me how irresponsible they are! PS They still have the Lab but if they 'cant cope' with her we'll have her!! )

[ummmm]

People should not gets pets until their family is completed.

[B00]

People only seem to wait a few months before they start a family with the "love of their lives", stands to reason they put less thought into any pets they then acquire.

[viv38]

We always had pets when we (me and my brother) were babies and kids ummmm, Mum and Dad NEVER got rid of any of them.

[lankeela]

I know a lot of couples from doggy backgrounds who have had children and dogs (in either order) but they have been brought up with them and realise what is involved. I have also been involved with rehoming several dogs from families (latest one just over a week ago) often when the wife is left to do everything for the dog and hasn't got the time or inclination to care for it. They often buy puppies for the kids without realising how much work is involved and so the pups become a nuisance and are got rid of.

[viv38]

No wonder some poor dogs have problems. Passed from pillar to post.

[ummmm]

We had pets too, Viv, absolutely loved them. Luckily they were lovely natured. If I got a dog and an unplanned pregnancy came soon after I would chose my baby.

Harsh, maybe, but that's the reason I don't have a dog.

[viv38]

Well, I'm glad I kept my dog when I had my baby, but then again getting rid of him never entered my head, nor did it enter Mum and Dad's heads when they had us and kept the family dog. It can and does work.

[B00]

If the dog was sweet natured why would you choose a baby over it? Surely the 2 can exist together ummmm?

If i was of that mind, I wouldn't get a dog in the first place.

[ladybirder]

I'd put the baby into Rescue and keep the dog.

[horselady]

Our dog was 16 months old and had 6 puppies while I was pregnant with our daughter. I remember the chaos of looking after those pups while I was like a beached whale. They all had homes by the time our daughter arrived, would we have dreamed of getting rid of our dog-never, she grew up with our two kids and lived until she was 18.

[ummmm]

B00...I don't know. I had a lovely rescue dog when my youngest was 10'ish. If I got pregnant I doubt I'd get rid of a dog but I understand why people do. My meaning was people who plan to have babies shouldn't have pets that they can't cater for once the baby arrives. They know this beforehand, imo.

[viv38]

Good for you horselady. I can just picture you being huge and running around after the pups (lol).