Our pooch is a replacement for the kids! Wife got 'empty nest syndrome' when both kids left home. The first year or so was like having a new baby in the house - our life was built around the pups feeding/sleeping/walking/crapping times. Now the wife is looking to change jobs but she's got to find one that 'fits in with the dog'. My Mum and Dad (standby dog sitters for when we go out for more than 4/5 hours) call it the 'Granddog'! Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

I know what you mean about fitting in with the dog. We're currently without one for the first time in nearly 20 years, and whilst we miss the canine companionship the sense of freedom is great! We can go out when we feel like it, come back when we want, and go away places where we can't take a dog without having to worry about kennels, etc. You don't realise how tying a dog is until you don't have one. I dare say we'll get another eventually, but for the moment we're enjoying the freedom.

It has given us a security problem though. Several times we've left the house unlocked overnight, because the trigger to check it's locked always used to be taking the dog out last thing! (Around here we don't bother locking up during the day if we're in or close by.)

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we're in the same position and agree with pab.

we had our daughter's shih tzu for 4 weeks while she got married and went on honeymoon, etc and it's great to be able to do what you want and when you want again.

Iain

But that said I still want another one - eventually!

its something me and the wife had to think long and hard over, our kids still enjoy going to the cinema and swimming when we go away for longer holidays, swimming can still be done as they are now at a stage were they can both swim, so only one adult needs to be with them, cinema, well that can wait till we have a dog sitter back home

its going to be different, but the love a dog can give will make it worth the while in the change  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Agree with npinks, there will be a curtailing of your freedom but that for me is outweighed by the pleasure, love and company my dog gives me. It also changed my lifestyle for the better by helping me be a little fitter than I would be without her.
In truth I think I speak to her more than I do to my wife

As above, they are always please to see you and when you have had a day, they will always listen, they never have a bad mood, same cannot be said for the wife

Had a few extras in our TransK9 at the weekend, our two springers and lab plus the outlaws 2 springers (the youngest are litter sisters)

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ad210358 wrote:

As above, they are always please to see you and when you have had a day, they will always listen, they never have a bad mood, same cannot be said for the wife

Lock your dog and your wife in the boot of your car for a couple of hours. Then see which one is pleased to see you when you let them out.  Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

went to the Fringe in Edinburgh yesterday, ( left home at about 10.30am ) fantastic atmosphere and amazing talent.

one of the acts we seen in the afternoon, Perch Creek Family Jug band, were so good we decided to see their show at 8.30pm, and they were brilliant !!

anyway we didn't get home until 1.00am, something we couldn't have done if we still had our Westie.

so as I said pros and cons of dog ownership, depending on your circumstances, etc and a big commitment not to be rushed into.

Iain

The man Mister Rupert has been collected

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Nice little fella but now the fun begin's wet patches little parcels crying during the night and wanting to bite anything infront of it but it will all be worth it

He has not actually messed in the house yet, whines to tell us he wants to go out, so done his three poops and countless wees outside, helps taking him out everytime he wakes up too

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The Fun starts now Nick Looks a great little chap