I just got back from my dog’s daily ~4 mile walk. We watch our friends dog occasionally and they don’t walk her at all and she’s a few years younger than my dog but she can barely move because she’s so overweight and doesnt get any exercise
Yep my dog needs 1+ mile in the morning and at least 2 miles in the afternoon for optimal health - bowels, muscles, etc. He's 7 now and acts like a dog half his age.
Then some of my friends are like "I try to take mine around the block at least once a week" and I am sad for their poor dog.
Hard to find good dogsitters who will actually take them on long walks too.
I walk my 10 year old husky 3 miles a day at least, and we usually go to the dog park at least every other day. He's showing signs of aging, but he acts like a dog half his age.
That's why i don't have a dog or a cat. I couldn't do that to them. On the other hand, a dog from a dog shelter could see themselves rescued in the last second, if anyone takes them in. At least they would live in a safe place.
After being in a dog shelter, they may even enjoy some alone time. I imagine it being as stressful for dogs as it is for humans, to be incarcerated with strangers.
I'd say cats are different, I have two and when I get home they run after a laser pointer for 30mins and then they're pooped. Plus they snuggle and sleep with me so that's bonding time as well
Yeah I love alone and have a career where I cannot work at home. Sometimes I think about getting a pet, but I just can't see it as being ethical in my situation. Sometimes I do ponder getting a cat though as they seem more independent, but I don't have much experience with them.
My job is 12 hour shifts plus an hour commute each way. This is a big part of why we haven't already gotten a dog. Well that, and also until a few months ago we were in a pretty small apartment. My wife is home more than me, so we're considering it, but I want to try to time it so that I'm off and there more early on for adjustment period and training.
Humans don't deserve dogs. I want to be the kind of human who can almost disprove that fact.
If you lived alone I'd say it would be a terrible idea to get a dog. But if your wife is home a lot then it sounds like a much more doable situation imo.
My dog usually prefers fetch in the backyard. I always give her the option of either. Sometimes she'll go for the walk and then turn around after 5 minutes to go home and play.