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My dog Sandy had to be put down a month or two ago. She developed what is known in layman's terms as "doggie dementia" which is the canine equivalent of human Alzheimers.
She was doing all sorts of wacky things- stepping right through the e-fence around the property as if she didn't even feel the shock, even after I cranked it up to the maximum level that should bring an elephant to it's knees. She'd walk into the house and just stand there confused. She acted like she was ravenously hungry even though she got fed regularly. But when she started walking and pooping at the same time, and then doing it in the house regularly, it was time for the vet who concurred that she was literally on her last legs, not only was she "out of it" but she had large masses in her abdomen that would likely prove to be cancer should I decide to waste even more money on useless tests. Heck she was over 13, and her breed usually lasts only 12. A difficult but easy decision if that makes sense.
Anyway $500 later and she was gone. I felt sad about it for a few weeks, and once in a while I have a moment but it's mostly guilt because after having 2 dogs spanning over 20 years, I realize how much simpler life is without a dog. Having been there, done that, TWICE, I can't even remotely comprehend how having a 4 legged companion is even worth all the downsides. Here's all the ones I can think of:
Your daily life is limited to a window of time, you need to be back home to take the dog out within whatever the particular bowel/bladder limitation might be, something like 9 hours. Of course you can always get a sitter, but that's the next negative.
Dog sitters are expensive, not always reliable, might not treat your pet very well. If they come to you they have access to your house, and if you have to bring your dog to them, it's inconvenient. Typical daily rate for a sitter or walker might be $50. So add $3-400 bucks for a short vacation unless you take the dog with you and then you're limited to "pet friendly" lodging and those tend to be rather subpar for obvious reasons.
Vet bills are astronomical. A yearly physical with typical vaccinations tends to run at least $500, which was what Sandy's last visit cost and resulted in nothing but a pile of ashes.
Food is expensive. You can save some by getting it in bulk but those 50-60 lb bags of dry food are freaking HEAVY to lift and cart around and carry in the house. Can't tell you how many times while trying to fill the bucket out of the big bag I spilled the crap all over the floor.
Treats and toys are crazy expensive. Try getting a decent chew toy that might last a week for less than $20.
Flea and heartworm meds are expensive.
You gotta walk the dog at least twice a day. Even when it's raining or there's 2 feet of snow on the ground in the middle of a blizzard or flash flood with high winds. No thanks.
Most dogs need grooming. Or you can do it yourself, by washing the dog in your tub and getting fur all over the place and clogging the drain and sometimes wrestling with a wet slippery dog. And you gotta cut those nails without severing the "quick" which is the nerve in the nail and that's tricky.
Dogs are dirty and messy they track all sorts of bugs especially ticks into the house, into the rugs, on the furniture etc. Their nails scratch wooden floors, their piss turns grass brown and makes it grow in weird piles around where they squatted or lifted their leg.
Dogs typically have behavioral problems. They chew things. They damage furniture. They don't always stay housebroken and you walk in the front door and there's that SMELL and you gotta go find the inevitable pile or puddle, and clean it. Even then there's typically stains and odors that never go away completely. They drool, they slobber, they jump on houseguests. Unless you take the time to train them- and we're talking a LOT of time to properly train a dog.
They get hurt and you have to put on that stupid cone around their head, and treat whatever injuries they might have and get all sorts of medications.
That's just off the top of my head based on my own experiences. I'm sure there are more.
I have come to the rather belated conclusion that no one in their right mind owns a dog.
She was doing all sorts of wacky things- stepping right through the e-fence around the property as if she didn't even feel the shock, even after I cranked it up to the maximum level that should bring an elephant to it's knees. She'd walk into the house and just stand there confused. She acted like she was ravenously hungry even though she got fed regularly. But when she started walking and pooping at the same time, and then doing it in the house regularly, it was time for the vet who concurred that she was literally on her last legs, not only was she "out of it" but she had large masses in her abdomen that would likely prove to be cancer should I decide to waste even more money on useless tests. Heck she was over 13, and her breed usually lasts only 12. A difficult but easy decision if that makes sense.
Anyway $500 later and she was gone. I felt sad about it for a few weeks, and once in a while I have a moment but it's mostly guilt because after having 2 dogs spanning over 20 years, I realize how much simpler life is without a dog. Having been there, done that, TWICE, I can't even remotely comprehend how having a 4 legged companion is even worth all the downsides. Here's all the ones I can think of:
Your daily life is limited to a window of time, you need to be back home to take the dog out within whatever the particular bowel/bladder limitation might be, something like 9 hours. Of course you can always get a sitter, but that's the next negative.
Dog sitters are expensive, not always reliable, might not treat your pet very well. If they come to you they have access to your house, and if you have to bring your dog to them, it's inconvenient. Typical daily rate for a sitter or walker might be $50. So add $3-400 bucks for a short vacation unless you take the dog with you and then you're limited to "pet friendly" lodging and those tend to be rather subpar for obvious reasons.
Vet bills are astronomical. A yearly physical with typical vaccinations tends to run at least $500, which was what Sandy's last visit cost and resulted in nothing but a pile of ashes.
Food is expensive. You can save some by getting it in bulk but those 50-60 lb bags of dry food are freaking HEAVY to lift and cart around and carry in the house. Can't tell you how many times while trying to fill the bucket out of the big bag I spilled the crap all over the floor.
Treats and toys are crazy expensive. Try getting a decent chew toy that might last a week for less than $20.
Flea and heartworm meds are expensive.
You gotta walk the dog at least twice a day. Even when it's raining or there's 2 feet of snow on the ground in the middle of a blizzard or flash flood with high winds. No thanks.
Most dogs need grooming. Or you can do it yourself, by washing the dog in your tub and getting fur all over the place and clogging the drain and sometimes wrestling with a wet slippery dog. And you gotta cut those nails without severing the "quick" which is the nerve in the nail and that's tricky.
Dogs are dirty and messy they track all sorts of bugs especially ticks into the house, into the rugs, on the furniture etc. Their nails scratch wooden floors, their piss turns grass brown and makes it grow in weird piles around where they squatted or lifted their leg.
Dogs typically have behavioral problems. They chew things. They damage furniture. They don't always stay housebroken and you walk in the front door and there's that SMELL and you gotta go find the inevitable pile or puddle, and clean it. Even then there's typically stains and odors that never go away completely. They drool, they slobber, they jump on houseguests. Unless you take the time to train them- and we're talking a LOT of time to properly train a dog.
They get hurt and you have to put on that stupid cone around their head, and treat whatever injuries they might have and get all sorts of medications.
That's just off the top of my head based on my own experiences. I'm sure there are more.
I have come to the rather belated conclusion that no one in their right mind owns a dog.
