Disposable Dogs

[LoftyLottie]

Just wondering, as a result of something that has just been said to me today . Do pet owners consider their animals as part of their family or disposable commodities that can be replaced quite easily if anything happens to them?

[maggie01]

I would never get rid of my dog. I lost one in Feb this year and miss her very much.
I still have one and she is the world to me.

[LoftyLottie]

Thanks for all your answers.

ttfn. You and I share the same philosophy. So well worded on your part. x

[Booldawg]

take the kids. leave the dog.

[LoftyLottie]

?

[ttfn]

Thanks Lottie - funnily enough I was just reading madmaggots post - I never had a child so I suppose my pets have been my babies by proxy. I couldn't have loved my pets more nor been more broken hearted when they died. And I had to take everyone to the vet at the end of their lives - not one of them died 'naturally' of old age. But that was the main responsibility I had whenever I gained a new 4-leg - to look after them in every sense. I have framed photos of each of them above my p.c. - it is my rogues gallery!

[LoftyLottie]

None of mine died of old age either ttfn. They all had the vet visit at the appropriate time. However, they all had long lives, except for a little cat who had multiple problems and two we lost on the road :o(

I have decided that now I am older and arthritic any dogs I take on in the future will be old and arthritic too and looking for someone to love them. It is heartbreaking when you lose them, and you never forget them, but there is always another out their looking for a good home. x

Keep up the good work. (My dog is out on the garden bench laying on her back, legs pointing up to the sky and catching the last of the evening sun as I type this!!)

[ttfn]

Good for you Lottie. Your dog sounds as though there is lurcher in her breeding with legs pointing upwards! I pity any dog/cat who has my health problems - I think I said earlier on that sadly I have decided my pet-owning days are now behind me. I couldn't take care of them as I would want to. So I try to support a couple of charities to do my bit - The Cinnamon Trust and Margaret Green Foundation. Bless all the charities that do good work for animals as well as animal lovers - yourself included x

[supersuezy24]

LL and ttfn your posts are lovely.
Loftie, the image of your dog lying on its back sunbathing with his legs in the air made me smile as that is how Bobby does be in the morning when i wake up and he's at the end of my bed. It's funny because sometimes when I wake up he's whimpering where he's obviosly dreaming and his paws are moving while he's lying on his back haha

[haysi06]

Always had dogs growing up but when the last 'family pet' died about 20 years ago I swore never to get another dog as it was too upsetting. Along came wee Teri about 4 1/2 years ago and now theres also Mindy and Daizy. All are very much part of the family, rule the roost and are definitely not disposable commodities. Each one of them have their own characters and thinking of getting another one, good job they're all wee teeny lapdogs tho :P

[lankeela]

While i can understand most of you on here saying how much you love your dogs/cats and would never part with them, you only have to look at the rescue sites to know how many people don't share your convictions. It is far too easy to get an animal these days, and even those costing hundreds of pounds don't get off any lighter. The breed rescues are full of pedigrees that have cost a fortune, but to my mind it is the fault of the breeders in many cases for not carefully screening the puppy buyers, and of course that is something the puppy farmers especially never do, provided someone has the money they get to take the animal there and then. Before someone gets one of my pups they get the third degree, and even then it is no guarantee that they will meet my high demands. If it was made more difficult to buy dogs then some of the problems of dogs being sold to the wrong owners might be solved.

[ttfn]

Well said lankeela. Do you remember the 3/6 dog licence? Laughable. I have bought a newfi from a reputable dealer who, whilst she gave me all the info I could possibly want on the breed, never checked my suitability as an owner. I have rescued a boxer from a recognised breed rescue society and the woman there did no check on me whatsoever - never even told or asked me to get the bitch spayed - though I did anyway. Thank goodness pet shops no longer have animals for sale in their windows.

[LoftyLottie]

I occasionally do home checks before dogs are rehomed and also offer my services to doglost.co.uk. I do very little, but it all helps.

Thanks again for all your lovely posts. It's so nice to 'meet' likeminded people on this site.

Bless you all.

[LoftyLottie]

PS ttfn My dog is a cross Jack Russell/Irish terrier(Lakeland?) She really is the most intelligent dog we have ever had.

http://i46.tinypic.com/2dkzpde.jpg

xx

[LoftyLottie]

http://i48.tinypic.com/11b3plu.jpg

:o)

[ttfn]

Great photos Lottie - she looks as bright as a button. Admire your choice of bed cover - white? Your dog obviously has impeccable foot wiping skills! She is intelligent enough to have you all round her little feet Lottie - yer big softee. You are my sort of person. Good night and ttfn

[supersuezy24]

Awwww lofte, your doggie is soooo cute!!!!xxxx Her little paws!!

[Andyvon]

What a lovely dog Lottie. My wife has just gone "Ahhhhhhhhhh"! We have been getting closer and closer lately to getting another dog and I think your pictures have nudged us even nearer!