I would really love to adopt a little dog...

but I'd like some opinions.

Firstly, I have 4 cats. This is the main reason for wanting to adopt a small dog. Oscar, one of the cats, has a real problem with change and doesn't like strange animals. I know this would be an issue at first, but I think eventually he'll get used to the idea of a dog around.

My second issue is a bit more major. I leave for work usually around 6:15 in the morning. I don't get home until probably 5:15. Some days it could be longer. Now I know I can get a small dog to train in a litter box or on wee wee pad, but is that just too long to leave a dog alone? DH has been really bugging me about getting a dog, but I just felt it was so unfair to leave a dog alone for THAT long.

What do you guys think? Please, no flaming...I don't want to go to a puppy mill or bring the dog to the store with me...I would just love to adopt one and give it lots of love

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

Doesn't sound like a good idea to me. 4 cats + 1 dog is a lot of animals. I don't know how big your place is but that could be a lot. In addition it doesn't sound good knowing that your 1 cat wouldn't like it. Sorry, JMHO

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

is there any way you could come home during the day to let the dog out - or have someone do it for you? or maybe your DH could since he wants the dog so much

i understand your reasons for wanting to get a small dog, but keep in mind that if you adopt a puppy, the cats will get used to him, so even if he grows into a large dog, they won't mind as much. that is what happened with my three cats - we adopted a chow/shepherd mix when the cats were a few years old and they got used to him fast enough - one of them even got to be very close with him!

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

Posted by headoverheels

is there any way you could come home during the day to let the dog out - or have someone do it for you? or maybe your DH could since he wants the dog so much

i understand your reasons for wanting to get a small dog, but keep in mind that if you adopt a puppy, the cats will get used to him, so even if he grows into a large dog, they won't mind as much. that is what happened with my three cats - we adopted a chow/shepherd mix when the cats were a few years old and they got used to him fast enough - one of them even got to be very close with him!

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

Posted by Shanti

Posted by dita

Doesn't sound like a good idea to me. 4 cats + 1 dog is a lot of animals. I don't know how big your place is but that could be a lot. In addition it doesn't sound good knowing that your 1 cat wouldn't like it. Sorry, JMHO

I would say I agree with this. I commend you for wanting to adopt though. Can you volunteer some time with a shelter instead?

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

right now i am working 6 days a week. kryss is at school for 6 hours. i have 4 cats and now 3 dogs. my cats exspecially my oldest is the same way about new animals( you should have seen the look i got bringing in krystal the other day ) yet they all get along and are not hurt by me working and kryssy at school. we give them more then there fair share of attention when we are home. if you do it the right way it can work out to be a great thing. good luck in what you do

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

Both my DH and I work long hours (similar to yours) we have two dogs and they are very happy. They get lots of attention when we are home and have a very good life. One of the dogs used to live with at cat before I moved out of my parents house and there weren't any problems. It wasn't four cats but I don't see why that should stop you if you want to give a dog a loving home.

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

We leave Misty alone for approx. 11 hours a day and she is fine. We leave weewee pads out for her and she rarely uses them.
We did crate her up until about six months ago and started letting her out for longer periods of time on the weekend to test her.
I strongly agree with the idea of getting an older dog (even 8 or 9 months is good) because they are housebroken at that point and it would be very difficult to train a puppy if you aren't home all day.
As far as the cats go, we had Espresso before we got Misty and it took them a few weeks to get used to each other but they did. And they get along great now.

Good luck with your decision!!!

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

Thank you everyone

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

Hey Lauren. I think it would be hard to have a puppy, and be away from the house that long. BUt if you could consider an older dog, already trained, and can hold it (rescues can help you with that), then its totally viable. Barney is left from 8-5:30, and he is fine. Sometimes its longer if I have to run errands after work. When he was very young I brought him to doggy day care a couple times a week, and that REALLY helped with his puppy enthusiasm.

So maybe if you want a puppy, you could hire a dog walker to come once or twice a day, or get him into doggy day care.

The cats will work it out. they'll hate you for a bit, but eventually be okay!

I love love love having a dog, and totally recommend it if you are ready for the commitment. They are different from cats (much more social).

Also, I am so close to you, and could help in emergencies

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

Posted by lulugrrl

Hey Lauren. I think it would be hard to have a puppy, and be away from the house that long. BUt if you could consider an older dog, already trained, and can hold it (rescues can help you with that), then its totally viable. Barney is left from 8-5:30, and he is fine. Sometimes its longer if I have to run errands after work. When he was very young I brought him to doggy day care a couple times a week, and that REALLY helped with his puppy enthusiasm.

So maybe if you want a puppy, you could hire a dog walker to come once or twice a day, or get him into doggy day care.

The cats will work it out. they'll hate you for a bit, but eventually be okay!

I love love love having a dog, and totally recommend it if you are ready for the commitment. They are different from cats (much more social).

Also, I am so close to you, and could help in emergencies

Message edited 4/15/2008 10:42:19 AM.

Re: I would really love to adopt a little dog...

Thanks Lu Ann and Judy. You guys are the best