Californiablonde
Well-Known Member
Lately I have really been missing having an animal in our home. I haven't been animal-free in years and I really do miss having a pet. I am used to having cats because most of the apartment complexes we have lived in did not accept dogs. The apartment we are in now allows dogs under 25 pounds and I am thinking of adopting one from a local shelter. Although I love all animals, I am more of a dog than a cat person and I think with difficult child 2's hyperactivity that a dog would be better suited to our home. Our previous cat did was skittish and did not handle my son's hyperactivity well. Everytime he heard his voice he would run and hide. My son wasn't mean to him, but he was just very active and vocal and the cat did not like it. I am hoping a dog will tolerate him better. We have a large outdoor area at our new apartment and there are plenty of dogs who live in our complex.
I will be taking the dog for a walk in the morning before work, and both difficult children' will take turns walking him in the afternoon and on weekends. It also gives us a good excuse to get out and excersise since we are all currently trying to lose weight. I think that a dog is just what our family needs. My only concern is how the dog will react to us being gone eight hours a day, five days a week. I plan on keeping the dog indoors while we are gone. We have a large patio that the dog can go out on as well, but I think I would feel guilty leaving him or her there for so many hours out of the day. I am going to adopt an older dog in hopes that it will already be housebroken and can tolerate being home alone for extended periods of time. What do you all think? Anybody have indoor dogs who have experience with this kind of thing? It's something I'm seriously thinking about and if I do get one, I will be going to the animal shelter on Friday after work to do it.
I will be taking the dog for a walk in the morning before work, and both difficult children' will take turns walking him in the afternoon and on weekends. It also gives us a good excuse to get out and excersise since we are all currently trying to lose weight. I think that a dog is just what our family needs. My only concern is how the dog will react to us being gone eight hours a day, five days a week. I plan on keeping the dog indoors while we are gone. We have a large patio that the dog can go out on as well, but I think I would feel guilty leaving him or her there for so many hours out of the day. I am going to adopt an older dog in hopes that it will already be housebroken and can tolerate being home alone for extended periods of time. What do you all think? Anybody have indoor dogs who have experience with this kind of thing? It's something I'm seriously thinking about and if I do get one, I will be going to the animal shelter on Friday after work to do it.