PETS. I need one, I work a lot.
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I'm a sort-of single dog mom. (The dog is my husband's but he's a trucker and is on the road a lot.) I'm away from home at my job about the same hours per day as you. Let me tell you, it's a major pain in the butt and I've already told him that when this dog passes on, we're not getting another one until he gets a job in which he's home regularly. The dog is home all day with my three cats and they get along fine so she's not lonely, but she definitely prefers my company, so when I'm home I hardly get a moment's peace from her. She also really limits my schedule. I used to go out after work a lot, but can't now because I have to go home to feed her and let her out. The dog alone is more work than all 3 cats combined. So not only do you have to think about the time you're away from home due to your job, you have to consider the impact on your social life as well. If you're a homebody who prefers to stay around the house when you're not at work or running errands, then it might be fine, because you'll be home enough at night and on weekends to play with it. But if you like to go out a lot or take weekend trips with friends, it will be a problem for the dog. And dogs that are lonely, bored, depressed, etc. almost always become very destructive. I also had family dogs growing up when lots of people were around to interact with them, and having a dog by myself is a lot more work. I think it really hinges on how much of your free time you're willing to give up to spend with the dog.0
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Maybe there's a local kid in your neighborhood who loves dogs and would be willing to walk and play with yours after school? More affordable than a doggie daycare and your dog would get more personal attention too. Just as you want a dog but don't really have the time for it, there's probably some family that wants a dog but can't afford/commit to it. See if you can work something out with the people in your community0
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I just couldn't do in good conscience, unless someone could walk the dog for me at least once a day.0
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I love pets of all kinds and desperately wanted to get a dog when my boyfriend left for boot camp earlier this year but we live in an apartment without a yard, and I have a horrible job where I work 50 hours a week.
I made the decision to find an older cat who needed love like I did (but wouldn't mind having some alone time) and got an ac unit with a timer for the broiling hot weeks. He's now my bestest little friend.
I totally understand your need for a loving companion but I have a feeling you're going to regret it if you get a dog that needs more attention than you are able to give.0 -
I'm on the fence. I may have an opportunity to adopt a basset hound, and I need some advice ...
(This sweet girl, if the link will work: https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10628206_768200746579328_1779025989004132522_n.jpg?oh=01d98dc9957b0563747da91a71f99a58&oe=54C714E3)
Because I work full-time and currently have a nasty Atlanta commute, I'm gone from around 8a-6p Mon-Fri. I've had dogs my whole life, but growing up in a family of six, and splitting duties with my then-boyfriend, dog ownership was different from being a single dogmom. I also live in an apartment in the city. However, I LOVE dogs and I know I'd love her super hard while I'm home. Financially, I'm nervous about committing and potentially needing something like doggy daycare, plus a dog walker would be a good idea.
So, help me out. Who has a dog in a similar situation?
Your current lifestyle in no way accommodates taking care of a dog, so you want to adopt one anyway because it would make you feel better?
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I feel like I have to defend myself as an animal-lover right now, which isn't something that I have ever had to do, but of course I have reasons beyond it being soooooo cuuuuuuuute to wanting a dog.
You don't have to defend yourself. I think the points people have made in this thread are accurate. Dogs miss us A LOT when we are gone. While doggy day care and dog walkers are great, dogs miss THEIR human. I think the point most people are trying to make is that maybe you should revisit getting a dog when you have more of your own time to give that dog.0 -
I love bassets too and was going to rescue one a while back. They were making me jump thru hoops to get her so I gave up the idea and got a cockapoo. Being a smaller breed they dont need the exercise of a larger dog. She doesnt shed and is non alergenic.
Maybe if you got a smaller dog you wouldn't need the walker and wouldnt be so costly.
Good luck in what ever you choose.
[img]http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m559/cmarcuz/Mobile Uploads/251549_10151020552036244_1091946774_n.jpg[/img]0 -
As someone who is in a similar situation to you, I can understand the hesitation, and I can understand other people's hesitation that you might be a good owner.
First, I'd caution you on the kind of dog you get. The basset hound might be cute, but others have said that they're not great apartment dogs. I don't have experience with them, but that might be true. My dog (also an apartment dog), is a mix of a golden retriever, sheltie, and pomeranian. We rescued him. He's pretty high energy, but we also spend a lot of our evening and weekend time playing with him, and he isn't kenneled when we're gone during the day. That's something to consider too: Your social life will revolve around the needs of your dog. If you can't accept that or find a way around it, it's probably better to not have one.
Second, keep in mind apartment issues when getting a dog. You don't want one that has anxiety issues or tears things apart or barks too much. Unlike with the wiggle room a house has for a noisy dog, if your dog is too loud in an apartment it can get you and/or the dog kicked out.
As for the long time you'll be gone, getting a dog walker would help with that, even if you don't get doggy daycare. Many dogs can hold it for a lot time if they have to, but that's a long time to not go to the bathroom. However, something to note is that you can train a smaller dog to go in a litter box or use a patch of indoor grass. I've never done it, but I've heard of it.
Honestly, I probably shouldn't have gotten a dog when I did, but I am very glad that I did. He is loved and he is well cared for, and that's more than he had in his previous home. On the reverse end, I get a lot of love and affection from him and I can't imagine not having a dog today.0 -
I hate to be harsh.. but being at home alone with maybe a walk or 2 every few hours is no way a dog should live... you may be home on weekends now to play but maybe down the road you will have a bit of a social life and the dog will be locked up yet again... i work from home and still feel guilty if i leave for like 4 hours .. wait until you move into a home or closer to work or some other change. doesn't mean you wont ever have a dog, but maybe just not right now0
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I have a couple of kids...I'm sure they are happy with the nanny, pre-school teachers and play dates. I just wanted kids cuz they're sooooo damnnnnn cuuuuuttttteeeeeeeee.0
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I want a dog so bad myself but I know I don't have the proper time to take care of one and love it enough.
So, right now I am very happy with my rescued cat.
Go to your local shelter and take a few in the get acquainted room one at a time and you just might find one that needs you.
My boy is happy to be alone for the work day and sometimes for weekends, I am sure staying home is a lot less stressful for him than being taken to a kennel. Take a look at my profile photos if you like, you will find my cat named Shadow. He is a lover boy. I feel very lucky to have him.
Good luck in finding a pet. There are so many pets that need good homes and good owners.0 -
I have a couple of kids...I'm sure they are happy with the nanny, pre-school teachers and play dates. I just wanted kids cuz they're sooooo damnnnnn cuuuuuttttteeeeeeeee.
Wow.0 -
I would suggest if you do it then look into doggie daycare which while add to the expense and your commute. Local shelters use dog walkers and there are also foster homes needed for dogs who are in transition.
I have 2 dogs and there are 4 of us and I still think they dont get the attention they deserve. Most days someone gets home around 4 to let them out - i go home lunch time 4 days a week and i hike with them. They need attention. It is a lot of commitment.0 -
Look into the price of doggy daycare or a dog walker. I was shocked at the cost of the dog walker. I only pay $9 a day for doggie daycare, she doesn't go everyday. It could cost you upwards of $200 a month for daycare and I know the walker was like $25 a visit per day.
I also just took my Labradoodle to the vet, it was $250 and there is nothing wrong with her. Normal yearly shots and heartworm pills.0 -
I recommend doing a web search for good apartment dogs, dog breeds that can best tolerate being alone, etc. Or talk to someone at a local animal shelter, vet's office, etc. I understand the basset hound feels like an opportunity you can't pass up (I feel the same way whenever I hear about a cat needing a home), but believe me, check out any pet adoption group and you'll find hundreds more great opportunities (sadly). With some research and a little patience, you'll find a dog that's most appropriate for your lifestyle. Good luck!0
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Dogs are very time consuming and costly. If you don't have both to give, don't get one.0
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Let me share a personal story with you OP.
My husband and I have a 4 year old daughter that is about turn 5. We promised her that she could get a kitty (well, actually an older cat - but you get the idea) for her 5th birthday last Christmas, when she asked for one. We explained that she had to show that she could help us care for the kitty, so she had to do her best to listen to us and help us keep our house tidy.
2 month ago, we found the home of our dreams and moved quite unexpectedly.
We are still getting acclimated to our new space -- our dog, an 8 year old Husky has been staying with my parents for the transition, and hasn't moved in with us yet. I would really like to keep the promise to my daughter, but it's simply NOT in a cat's best interest to come into our home until we are a bit more settled.
Animals really, really need to be treated like humans. You have to be very, very thoughtful of their care. I am sure you would be a wonderful pet owner to a more appropriate breed or to a basset when your circumstances are different.0 -
You would do best with a low energy, mature older dog. A senior dog might do well in this situation. One that is okay with being on its own. Most kennel attendants will know exactly what type of dog fits that description.
And for my two cents, I think you would be better off going with a cat, or even if you like other pets, a tortoise. Both are lower maintenance and okay to be left alone for a bit longer periods of time. Like any big responsibility, the animal that you choose to get shouldn't be an impulse buy or go off looks. Find one that you know will match your lifestyle.
This.0 -
FFS, this is one of the reasons so many pets die in shelters. Some people act like you have to stay at home full time, have unlimited disposable income, and 2 acres of fenced in yard to be able to adopt a pet. She is looking to ADOPT (not buy), and she is willing to invest in daycare and/or walking, and just wants a doggy to love. This seems like a pretty great life as opposed to living/dying in a shelter.
With that said, I don't know much about bassett hounds, so maybe it isn't the best possible breed for your situation. But I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to adopt a dog as long as you're committing to having someone take care of it during the day.
I'm a little sensitive about this, because we once tried to adopt a cat and were denied because my husband had been divorced previously, and in the divorce his ex-wife got the cats. This somehow implied that he was an unworthy pet parent. My point being that the criteria some people set for pet ownership is ludicrous, and is actually hurting animals more than helping them.0 -
I have pet tarantulas, they are cute fluffy and you can leave them for 6 months without worrying of them dying of hunger or thirst... lol0
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Good gosh people! Do you all think people who work full time jobs don't have dogs? Can you imagine how many MORE dogs would be killed in shelters if they were so picky that they wouldn't adopt to someone because that person thought a picture of a basset hound was cute, so that somehow makes them unfit to adopt? I could understand a bit of wariness if she wanted to adopt a 6 week old puppy, but she appears to be looking at an adult dog, who has likely come from a much worse home than the one the OP is offering.
I have been involved in dog rescue for 11 years. I have seen unfit owners who dump their "beloved" pets because they had a baby, moved to another state or the dog didn't match their new carpets. We have taken in a dog whose owners ran over his tail with the lawn mower, didn't bother to get vet care and who didn't look for the dog at the shelter for 2 weeks, long after our rescue brought the dog in, treated him for such an infestation of internal parasites that he was terribly anemic, gave him heartworm treatment, neutered him and healed up his maggot filled tail. And that's just one story of MANY I could tell. And many of you are suggesting that the OP is unfit for a dog???
OP, I suggest you do your research on different breeds. Almost any dog can do just fine in an apartment if you are committed to having someone come in and walk the dog once a day (not all dogs like or need doggie daycare) and you are willing to take it for a walk in the mornings and a long walk in the afternoon. Dogs are fabulous companions and are amazingly adaptable. I would stay away from the hounds and the herding breeds, personally. Hounds can be noisy, as has been mentioned before, and herding breeds are extremely high energy and intelligent, which can turn into destructive behavior without the proper amount of exercise. Sign up for training classes and bond with your new dog. Good luck!0 -
FFS, this is one of the reasons so many pets die in shelters. Some people act like you have to stay at home full time, have unlimited disposable income, and 2 acres of fenced in yard to be able to adopt a pet. She is looking to ADOPT (not buy), and she is willing to invest in daycare and/or walking, and just wants a doggy to love. This seems like a pretty great life as opposed to living/dying in a shelter.
With that said, I don't know much about bassett hounds, so maybe it isn't the best possible breed for your situation. But I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to adopt a dog as long as you're committing to having someone take care of it during the day.
I'm a little sensitive about this, because we once tried to adopt a cat and were denied because my husband had been divorced previously, and in the divorce his ex-wife got the cats. This somehow implied that he was an unworthy pet parent. My point being that the criteria some people set for pet ownership is ludicrous, and is actually hurting animals more than helping them.
As somebody who has worked in a shelter - your situation is really extreme and you were likely the victim of an over zealous employee/volunteer (likely one who was attached to the cat you were trying to adopt). By in large though, shelters aren't going to adopt a basset to a person like OP because there is a HIGH chance she'll be returning the animal.0 -
Good gosh people! Do you all think people who work full time jobs don't have dogs? Can you imagine how many MORE dogs would be killed in shelters if they were so picky that they wouldn't adopt to someone because that person thought a picture of a basset hound was cute, so that somehow makes them unfit to adopt? I could understand a bit of wariness if she wanted to adopt a 6 week old puppy, but she appears to be looking at an adult dog, who has likely come from a much worse home than the one the OP is offering.
I have been involved in dog rescue for 11 years. I have seen unfit owners who dump their "beloved" pets because they had a baby, moved to another state or the dog didn't match their new carpets. We have taken in a dog whose owners ran over his tail with the lawn mower, didn't bother to get vet care and who didn't look for the dog at the shelter for 2 weeks, long after our rescue brought the dog in, treated him for such an infestation of internal parasites that he was terribly anemic, gave him heartworm treatment, neutered him and healed up his maggot filled tail. And that's just one story of MANY I could tell. And many of you are suggesting that the OP is unfit for a dog???
OP, I suggest you do your research on different breeds. Almost any dog can do just fine in an apartment if you are committed to having someone come in and walk the dog once a day (not all dogs like or need doggie daycare) and you are willing to take it for a walk in the mornings and a long walk in the afternoon. Dogs are fabulous companions and are amazingly adaptable. I would stay away from the hounds and the herding breeds, personally. Hounds can be noisy, as has been mentioned before, and herding breeds are extremely high energy and intelligent, which can turn into destructive behavior without the proper amount of exercise. Sign up for training classes and bond with your new dog. Good luck!
While I applaud you for working with animals, I think you are missing a point here. Severe neglect may trump minimal neglect, but that does not mean you should bring a dog into your home if you cannot fulfill its emotional needs. And no, more animals are not being killed because less commuters adopt. Animals in shelters are euthanized because of mass breeding and the societal stigma of mixed breed dogs.0 -
Good gosh people! Do you all think people who work full time jobs don't have dogs? Can you imagine how many MORE dogs would be killed in shelters if they were so picky that they wouldn't adopt to someone because that person thought a picture of a basset hound was cute, so that somehow makes them unfit to adopt? I could understand a bit of wariness if she wanted to adopt a 6 week old puppy, but she appears to be looking at an adult dog, who has likely come from a much worse home than the one the OP is offering.
I have been involved in dog rescue for 11 years. I have seen unfit owners who dump their "beloved" pets because they had a baby, moved to another state or the dog didn't match their new carpets. We have taken in a dog whose owners ran over his tail with the lawn mower, didn't bother to get vet care and who didn't look for the dog at the shelter for 2 weeks, long after our rescue brought the dog in, treated him for such an infestation of internal parasites that he was terribly anemic, gave him heartworm treatment, neutered him and healed up his maggot filled tail. And that's just one story of MANY I could tell. And many of you are suggesting that the OP is unfit for a dog???
OP, I suggest you do your research on different breeds. Almost any dog can do just fine in an apartment if you are committed to having someone come in and walk the dog once a day (not all dogs like or need doggie daycare) and you are willing to take it for a walk in the mornings and a long walk in the afternoon. Dogs are fabulous companions and are amazingly adaptable. I would stay away from the hounds and the herding breeds, personally. Hounds can be noisy, as has been mentioned before, and herding breeds are extremely high energy and intelligent, which can turn into destructive behavior without the proper amount of exercise. Sign up for training classes and bond with your new dog. Good luck!
I was just about to say something very similar. Being away from home from 8 am - 6 pm, five days a week, is pretty typical for anyone with a full-time job. Yet loads of people in such situations have dogs and everyone does just fine. What matters most is how much of their free time a person spends with their dog, or any pet.0 -
I love pets of all kinds and desperately wanted to get a dog when my boyfriend left for boot camp earlier this year but we live in an apartment without a yard, and I have a horrible job where I work 50 hours a week.
I made the decision to find an older cat who needed love like I did (but wouldn't mind having some alone time) and got an ac unit with a timer for the broiling hot weeks. He's now my bestest little friend.
I totally understand your need for a loving companion but I have a feeling you're going to regret it if you get a dog that needs more attention than you are able to give.
I am on the lookout for exactly that same cat
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I don't think people understand how many dogs are kept their full lives in back yards with a kennel or even on a chain and this is in the UK where weather isn't the best even in the summer months,
I personally think if a dog has years of a nice life in someones home whether they are there all day or only a few hours a day, even if he chews all the furniture, rips open your bin bags.. Even if returned a few years later to a kennel to be homed or sold or passed on etc,,, is this not better then being stuck in a kennel all their lives looking for "the perfect home" Or have some one who is going to have the dog kept outside or on a chain and only socialised when throwing its food in its bowl???
I think a couple of yearsof a good life is BETTER then a life time waiting for something that is so rare as of a perfect house house with someone around 24 hrs of the day... People have to work to buy the dog food haha
Get realistic people..... lol0 -
Good gosh people! Do you all think people who work full time jobs don't have dogs? Can you imagine how many MORE dogs would be killed in shelters if they were so picky that they wouldn't adopt to someone because that person thought a picture of a basset hound was cute, so that somehow makes them unfit to adopt? I could understand a bit of wariness if she wanted to adopt a 6 week old puppy, but she appears to be looking at an adult dog, who has likely come from a much worse home than the one the OP is offering.
I have been involved in dog rescue for 11 years. I have seen unfit owners who dump their "beloved" pets because they had a baby, moved to another state or the dog didn't match their new carpets. We have taken in a dog whose owners ran over his tail with the lawn mower, didn't bother to get vet care and who didn't look for the dog at the shelter for 2 weeks, long after our rescue brought the dog in, treated him for such an infestation of internal parasites that he was terribly anemic, gave him heartworm treatment, neutered him and healed up his maggot filled tail. And that's just one story of MANY I could tell. And many of you are suggesting that the OP is unfit for a dog???
OP, I suggest you do your research on different breeds. Almost any dog can do just fine in an apartment if you are committed to having someone come in and walk the dog once a day (not all dogs like or need doggie daycare) and you are willing to take it for a walk in the mornings and a long walk in the afternoon. Dogs are fabulous companions and are amazingly adaptable. I would stay away from the hounds and the herding breeds, personally. Hounds can be noisy, as has been mentioned before, and herding breeds are extremely high energy and intelligent, which can turn into destructive behavior without the proper amount of exercise. Sign up for training classes and bond with your new dog. Good luck!
While I applaud you for working with animals, I think you are missing a point here. Severe neglect may trump minimal neglect, but that does not mean you should bring a dog into your home if you cannot fulfill its emotional needs. And no, more animals are not being killed because less commuters adopt. Animals in shelters are euthanized because of mass breeding and the societal stigma of mixed breed dogs.
No, it's a combination of both. If there aren't adopters, then the animals are being killed (in kill shelters). What the OP is wanting to do is not minimal neglect. There are too many "rescue snobs" out there who think it's better for a pet to die in a shelter than be treated with what THEY believe is neglect. I work full time. I have 4 dogs. I also train dogs as a second job. And I have a pet sitting business. My dogs are extremely happy, healthy and completely and totally loved. They vacation with us, we don't plan a vacation that is not pet friendly. We don't travel without our dogs (and they are 4 large dogs). There is not one iota of neglect when it comes to my dogs.
My neighbor who lived behind me stayed home all the time because he was disabled. His dog lived 24/7 on the back deck, with no access to the yard, never walked, almost never any attention from anyone in the house. He was fed once a day. The deck was scooped a couple of days a week. But hey, the owner was home full time.0 -
if you can manage dog daycare the dog has a ball. Mine would probably rather live there full time.0
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I am currently raising an 8 week old boxer puppy. While juggling 2 young kids, a massive house and helping my husband run his company. I feel bad that our dog doesn't get the care he needs because we are gone ALL THE TIME. Think really hard about this. A puppy/new dog takes A LOT of work and commitment. I regret so hard that we got him at this stage in our lives.:frown:0
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Good gosh people! Do you all think people who work full time jobs don't have dogs? Can you imagine how many MORE dogs would be killed in shelters if they were so picky that they wouldn't adopt to someone because that person thought a picture of a basset hound was cute, so that somehow makes them unfit to adopt? I could understand a bit of wariness if she wanted to adopt a 6 week old puppy, but she appears to be looking at an adult dog, who has likely come from a much worse home than the one the OP is offering.
I have been involved in dog rescue for 11 years. I have seen unfit owners who dump their "beloved" pets because they had a baby, moved to another state or the dog didn't match their new carpets. We have taken in a dog whose owners ran over his tail with the lawn mower, didn't bother to get vet care and who didn't look for the dog at the shelter for 2 weeks, long after our rescue brought the dog in, treated him for such an infestation of internal parasites that he was terribly anemic, gave him heartworm treatment, neutered him and healed up his maggot filled tail. And that's just one story of MANY I could tell. And many of you are suggesting that the OP is unfit for a dog???
OP, I suggest you do your research on different breeds. Almost any dog can do just fine in an apartment if you are committed to having someone come in and walk the dog once a day (not all dogs like or need doggie daycare) and you are willing to take it for a walk in the mornings and a long walk in the afternoon. Dogs are fabulous companions and are amazingly adaptable. I would stay away from the hounds and the herding breeds, personally. Hounds can be noisy, as has been mentioned before, and herding breeds are extremely high energy and intelligent, which can turn into destructive behavior without the proper amount of exercise. Sign up for training classes and bond with your new dog. Good luck!
While I applaud you for working with animals, I think you are missing a point here. Severe neglect may trump minimal neglect, but that does not mean you should bring a dog into your home if you cannot fulfill its emotional needs. And no, more animals are not being killed because less commuters adopt. Animals in shelters are euthanized because of mass breeding and the societal stigma of mixed breed dogs.
No, it's a combination of both. If there aren't adopters, then the animals are being killed (in kill shelters). What the OP is wanting to do is not minimal neglect. There are too many "rescue snobs" out there who think it's better for a pet to die in a shelter than be treated with what THEY believe is neglect. I work full time. I have 4 dogs. I also train dogs as a second job. And I have a pet sitting business. My dogs are extremely happy, healthy and completely and totally loved. They vacation with us, we don't plan a vacation that is not pet friendly. We don't travel without our dogs (and they are 4 large dogs). There is not one iota of neglect when it comes to my dogs.
My neighbor who lived behind me stayed home all the time because he was disabled. His dog lived 24/7 on the back deck, with no access to the yard, never walked, almost never any attention from anyone in the house. He was fed once a day. The deck was scooped a couple of days a week. But hey, the owner was home full time.
Not every person should adopt an animal. If you cannot fulfill the emotional needs of an animal, leave it at a shelter for someone who can. Lady if you want to believe that it is okay to leave an animal alone for 10-12 hours a day, that is your prerogative. I am not going to agree with that off base opinion. Really, "rescue snobs"?. I worked at a no kill shelter for years, and I can guarantee I'd rather a "rescue snob" come into my shelter than someone who knows nothing about a breed but is dead set on adopting it and putting that animal in an apartment. 9/10 times that dog will come back to the shelter or end up on Craigslist. I am not saying this woman is going to neglect that dog or that even if an owner is home they will treat it correctly. What I am stating is that no one that knows anything about Bassets would think of leaving one in an apartment for that long. If you will check my first response to her, I actually suggested she try and get a senior, low energy dog. Your assumptions are pretty hilarious though. Your four dogs have each other for companionship, and no one said anything about you neglecting them. You speak as if you are the equivalent of a dog walking Deepak Chopra.0
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