r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	king_of_ash
Comment	Hey! I adopted my first dog when I was 19, single, and living in a tiny studio in NYC. She was a pit bull rescue from a cruelty case in rescue for 1.5 years because no one would adopt a dog with epilepsy (sometimes it’s a genetic predisposition, sometimes brought on by head trauma-hers was the latter). As soon as I moved out of the dorms and got my own apartment, she was mine. I spent my late teens and all of my twenties caring for her. I didn’t study abroad or even travel more than a few days until the last few years after my pets passed away because eventually, all pets get to the point where they need hospice/end of life care, and mine were all around the same ages. I will likely never, ever pay off their veterinary debt. And I don’t regret a single decision. I’ve also fostered 40+ dogs and cats in the past two decades. I’ve worked as an adoption counselor at shelters in the US, and my Scottish partner co-parents his dog with his ex-girlfriend. There will never, ever come a time in this dog’s life when she’s not being catered to. If you’re looking for a 12-17 year commitment c and looking for a running buddy in the rain and mud, and the thought of giving your dog meds and taking their rectal temperature as they age and need more care and time and money doesn’t make you run screaming for the hills? Then a dog might be right for you! The best way, IMO, is to find out by fostering first. All of my pets were rescues, and I know that’s less common here than in the US, but it’s still worth looking into. If you’re committed you are to researching, training, exercising, feeding, and paying for all of the associated costs (vaccinations, spay/neuter, acute injuries, chronic or generic illnesses, and on and on and on) just in the beginning, but for the lifespan of your pet, go for it. But do real research into breeds-huskies, for example, are vocal escape artists who were bred for intense physical activity, so if you live in a flat and lead a sedentary life? Not the right choice. Dachshunds are highly likely to get IVDD throughout their life. Greyhounds have high incidences of osteosarcoma compared to other breeds. If you are buying a lab or golden retriever or German Shepherd, please please please make sure the breeder has done CFA testing for hip dysplasia...I could go on, but hopefully you get the picture. Pets are rewarding, but they are also not disposable. Rehoming them causes trauma and contributes to their inability to find forever homes. Make sure, if you do this, that you’re prepared for a forever commitment of time, money, missed opportunities and love.
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/zrv548/single_people_with_dogs/j1649h7/
Created	Wed 21st Dec 2022 11:04pm
Status	normal ()

Hey! I adopted my first dog when I was 19, single, and living in a tiny studio in NYC. She was a pit bull rescue from a cruelty case in rescue for 1.5 years because no one would adopt a dog with epilepsy (sometimes it’s a genetic predisposition, sometimes brought on by head trauma-hers was the latter). As soon as I moved out of the dorms and got my own apartment, she was mine.

I spent my late teens and all of my twenties caring for her. I didn’t study abroad or even travel more than a few days until the last few years after my pets passed away because eventually, all pets get to the point where they need hospice/end of life care, and mine were all around the same ages. I will likely never, ever pay off their veterinary debt. And I don’t regret a single decision.

I’ve also fostered 40+ dogs and cats in the past two decades. I’ve worked as an adoption counselor at shelters in the US, and my Scottish partner co-parents his dog with his ex-girlfriend. There will never, ever come a time in this dog’s life when she’s not being catered to.

If you’re looking for a 12-17 year commitment c and looking for a running buddy in the rain and mud, and the thought of giving your dog meds and taking their rectal temperature as they age and need more care and time and money doesn’t make you run screaming for the hills? Then a dog might be right for you! The best way, IMO, is to find out by fostering first. All of my pets were rescues, and I know that’s less common here than in the US, but it’s still worth looking into.

If you’re committed you are to researching, training, exercising, feeding, and paying for all of the associated costs (vaccinations, spay/neuter, acute injuries, chronic or generic illnesses, and on and on and on) just in the beginning, but for the lifespan of your pet, go for it. But do real research into breeds-huskies, for example, are vocal escape artists who were bred for intense physical activity, so if you live in a flat and lead a sedentary life? Not the right choice. Dachshunds are highly likely to get IVDD throughout their life. Greyhounds have high incidences of osteosarcoma compared to other breeds. If you are buying a lab or golden retriever or German Shepherd, please please please make sure the breeder has done CFA testing for hip dysplasia...I could go on, but hopefully you get the picture.

Pets are rewarding, but they are also not disposable. Rehoming them causes trauma and contributes to their inability to find forever homes. Make sure, if you do this, that you’re prepared for a forever commitment of time, money, missed opportunities and love.