I have have always understood the feelings a family has in wanting to get a dog. How could you not be a little envious how you other family's interactions with these wonderful canines? The biggest mistake though is the delusion that a dog is going to impact your life in a minimal way. I agree with the writer of the article, you will have to change EVERYTHING about your life to bring the pooch into your lives. I often tell people that are thinking about bringing a dog into their homes to consider that it may almost be like having a child. I have watched people search for a specific breed for their situations to somehow give themselves permission to make a bad descision. Reading this article made me cringe how so many people are willing to jam a dog into their lives like a puzzle piece that is in the wrong spot of the puzzle. I find it incredibly selfish to even consider getting a dog if you have to sneak it into your building. If your bringing a dog to a place you're not supposed to bring it and your not willing to move doesnt mean the dog gets to be homeless for your horrible life choices. I had to change my attitude and my life to suit such a wonderful companion and family member. Please I beg you, dont get a dog unless you feel your willing to change your entire life to get one. I see to many tragic stories that end up with the animal facing all the consequences.
our goldendoodle learned to eat off the counter with only 5 minutes instruction! a small price to pay for her dear soul
I love my dog. She's a Westie and she rules our apartment. Believe it or not my apartment is all White and pastel colors. It helps that she is white herself. She's allowed to go on all the furniture and we even have rugs. The furniture is covered in Ultrasuede and commercial grade fabrics which is so easy to keep clean. I can wash with soap and water. The rugs are white shag and very cheap so I just throw them away once a year and get new ones. Life would be really joyless without my little dog so I will do anything to make her feel welcome and comfortable.
1
This is a great piece, and so true! Ms. Kaysen is right about every single thing but I would still tell her to go ahead and get a dog. They are worth it, even in the city. Especially in the city. We live in a neighborhood in Boston that has had a huge population change - our neighbors are almost all 30 and under. We have met so many of our young neighbors when out walking the dog.
3
How you live once you have any type of addition of a living thing in your home is entirely up to your ability to to adapt it to your standards while also meeting its requirements.
My husband never had a pet before he met me. There's only one 10-year period in my life where I didn't have pets in my life and in my apartment or house.
Currently we have two dogs. The 5yo dog is Shiba Inu and the 3yo is a Pembroke Corgi. They do not jump up on anything because they were never allowed to jump up on anything. They've forgotten how to jump and must be lifted into the car. They were not allowed on the stairs which led up to bedrooms. They are to this day, very cautious about going up or down stairs, even if it is outside leading into the park. They do not bark or howl because they've been taught to be quiet so they can watch the birds that come to bath in the garden.
They sit when told to. They stay when told to. They come when told to. It takes time to make this training work. It has to be on a daily basis for 18-months to 2 years. It is just like being a parent to a new born to a 2 year. There is a lot for any new creature to learn and if the parent or owner uses patience, constant attention, and approval for the first 2 years then the new living being will be much easier to live with from there on out.
BTW, I played hide and seek with my puppies to help them understand that there was no reason to be afraid I would not come back when I left.
2
if you don't want a dog, don't concede to children. it will be you taking care of the dog, and he or she deserves a caretaker who wants him or her. my house is filled with dog beds in every room (except the bathroom, but if it were big enough he'd have one there too!) it makes the house feel smaller but without my beloved dog the house would feel cold and empty.
3
I adopted a rescue lurcher about 6 years ago-half greyhound, half some other large dog. He's real intelligent but like many rescued dogs frantic about getting food. No countertop is secure enough-as he is quite tall as well. That is his grand fault. Otherwise he is a great companion, flawlessly housebroken, sweet, quiet, likes to rest his head on my knee while I work on the computer or write at my desk. He absolutely knows that his 70 pound, grubby, shedding body is never to be in the bed. He has a very nice bed at the foot of my bed on the floor.
But should I decide to fall asleep in the living room watching TV he wriggles up onto the couch in a most decided way. All I can think is that in a past life he was allowed on the couch and has not forgotten. He is certainly not invited. But there he stays.
Also in August I sleep outside to watch the Perseid Meteor shower. He joins me on the quilt whereupon I feel perfectly safe and we have our annual summer celebration.
Echoing another writer. I do worry that if he gets really sick I'll need help getting his 70 pound body into the car to go to the vet. But he is so obedient I think he'd try to do that for me even in extremis. They really can be noble.
5
All my dogs came to me as adult rescues. A well-trained dog shouldn't be ruling your home. I want to share my sofa with my Labrador, and it comforts me to have her curled up at the foot of my bed each night. As with a child, you need to set loving limits.
3
When, exactly, did we become such a judgmental society? You feel a dog would alter your lifestyle and it well may. But surely having a child forced you to make accommodations. I did not want children but I do not judge you for your choice to reproduce. My decision to have a dog, with whatever alterations to my life it has brought, is my own. To me, my pooch was well worth the slight adjustment. But what gives you the right to criticize anyone's choices this way?
3
The commitment to a pet be it dog or cat is formidable. It is another being living in your home, with all the needs that come with that except it can not tell you what they need. You must become aware of the behaviors that indicate their needs. Therefore, it is not a light decision based on magical thinking. My suggestion is to talk to other dog owners, let you child get a job walking ad caring for a neighbor's dog and see if that takes care of the fantasy, especially in the rain and snow and wehn you are not well and still need to walk them.
I own two dogs, the cost is prohibitive in health care and food, I no longer buy dog food after reading Dr. Karen Becker's site, I cook for them and buy supplements. They are dear to my heart and make me laugh every day but it is a huge sacrifice, since I can not travel like I would like because one dog gets sick in the car. You also need to pay dog walkers when you are not home.
If you do decide to get a dog consider talking to rescue groups of the dog breeds you like, they will tell you the pros and cons. There are also websites that help you decide what type of dog fits your lifestyle. I would suggest a dog that is being fostered in a home, the person fostering can tell you the issues with the dog.
1
a dog will change your life for sure but only in good ways and you will end up a better person for it. adopt a rescue and eliminate a whole bunch of pure breed issues. what i have learned from the dogs i have had and have is immensive and have lead to living a much better life. as in most things, there are trade offs but they are worth it.
5
Now that Florida has finally approved Amendment 13, ending live greyhound racing in the state by 2021, I'm guessing that we will continue to see less racing greyhounds bred and (hopefully), more sent to rescue before the actual cutoff date.
No matter where you live, there are racing greyhound rescue groups (even in states like my own that doesn't race dogs). Greyhounds are the ultimate doggie couch potato-- they need their walks (and so do you, people) but they are low energy and content to relax and snooze on an appropriate comfortable surface. An appropriately sized LL Bean orthopedic dog bed in the rooms where they hang out works great. There are those who donate a couch or part of their bed but that isn't necessary (although the illustration, except for the too-long ears, could be a fawn greyhound at rest).
Unlike Parson Jack Russel terriers (or terrors :), they will not try to climb your walls or act like the dog in the The Mask and demonstrate what the word "insane" means. They are large dogs with large poops so if that scares you...well, there are always compromises. They also have little body fat and need a winter wardrobe for temperatures under 50F.
But they are perfect apartment dogs and will love you even if no one else does. And no one will love you like your dog.
Dogs are a 15 (or so) year commitment. Well worth it--especially for rescues. They know how lucky they are.
Don't buy while shelter pets die.
9
Am I the only one who thinks that dogs in a densely populated city are inappropriate? If your dog barks it is bothering your neighbors. Does anyone like walking on sidewalks littered with dog poop? Dog pee damages bushes. And yes, I was attacked by a dog whose owner said "sorry, he's never done that before!"
5
Owners should be picking up after their dogs. Dogs also should be trained not to engage in excessive barking. There’s no reason why responsible owners shouldn’t have dogs, even in cities.
2
Since this article will attract dog lovers I'm going to take advantage of the forum to warn those who have dogs about the FDA notice about correlation (not yet proven) between canine heart issues and dogs fed foods with pea, potato and/or lentil proteins, starches and fiber ingredients.
My 7 year old chihuahua has mitral valve degeneration, the precursor to heart failure. This is abnormal at her age and for her breed. Until her diagnosis, I fed her high quality expensive kibble (orijen, canidae) that included the above mentioned ingredients. The canine cardiologist told me to discontinue them, so I've switched to foods and treats that only contain meat, organs and other vegetables/fruits.
I had two shelties that both passed away from heart failure in the past few years (one was 14, the other 16) who also ate the orijen. They were older and may have gone into heart failure anyway, but I'll never know for certain if the food had some connection to their issues.
5
@nom de guerre
Meant to include this link about the FDA notices regarding dog food and heart issues:
https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-news/fda-investigating-potential-link-between-diet-and-heart-disease-in-dogs/
1
My husband and I have three mastiffs. I guess mastiffs have a bit more "influence" around the house than a Yorkie might. We have a king sized bed and generally I'm confined to the edge at night. I've fixed three window sills that were chewed to pieces, replaced a sofa that got the same treatment, and our hardwood floors desperately need to be refinished, due to the constant patter of toenails. When I clean the house, I'm always amazed where I find dried drool. On the baseboards, sure. But on the chandelier in the front hall? We ended up installing a central vacuum system because I was tired of going through three vacuum bags every time I vacuumed the house. So yes, having does requires a host of lifestyle choices. But we love our dogs, and anyway, doesn't having a child require all sorts of compromises too? At least I can go out to dinner and a movie without hiring a babysitter.
9
"A dog, as small as he or she might be, would rule our home."
That is the honest truth, whether the new addition to the family is a dog or a cat. I have always realized that. And would want it no other way. Their presence has always been the secret ingredient which distinguishes our home from merely being a house.
20
Clearly written by a person who has never had a canine companion. The ‘inconveniences’ are superficial compared to the lessons a dog can bring into your life...most notably a constant reminder of the power of love. Definitely do not get a dog if you think of it as a chore. Dogs need a person who will match their love. They are deep and beautiful fellow beings.
24
Good call. Forget it. Life is complicated enough. Who would be out there in a blizzard, walking the thing when you had a cold? You. Friends have spent many thousands of dollars they could not spare on health care for their pets, including surgery. No.
2
@GreaterMetropolitanArea
Bah, no greater altruism than to be driven to the poorhouse for canine family who would suredly and happily make room for you in his doghouse
4
When my children were young we had dogs. I always believed that dogs & pets are a good way to teach children responsibility and empathy. They had to feed the dogs and play outside with them. They loved their dogs. When they left home & the dogs died, it was kind of nice to be able to travel and to live without sheets on the furniture. Many years later under our Christmas tree was an 8 week old miniature Yorkie. Our life has changed! All for the best. Yes she misses the pee pads from time to time but who cares, it’s easy enough to clean. She is great companionship, we have met many new friends when walking the dog & she brings joy to our life. NYC is so dog friendly she goes EVERYWHERE including long distance travel. Dogs companionship make our lives richer and less self centered.
17
Get a dog! Don't be a humbug! Children with pets are better off
12
I saw a multi tattooed and body pierced girl coming down the street and thought "Ugh, what a freak". Then I noticed she was walking a wonderful looking white dog. All was forgiven and I asked if I could pet her dog and asked his name. Pet owners are the best people!!!
13
Our Labrador INSISTED on sleeping in the master bedroom with us. As she aged, her snoring became intolerable and we abandoned the master suite for other bedrooms in the house. She slept there until she passed. And we haven't moved back in.
She also was able to hoist herself up onto the floats in our backyard pool. She would then bark until I threw her the rawhide she loved to chew on while she lazily floated around. It was Maggie's world - I just lived in it.
And I am about to cry now - miss her so much.
38
@PDP
They are sent from the Animal Spirit to bee our guides that we may see our lives through their eyes
4
PLEASE, don't crate your dog!
This is something that crate manufacturers foisted on the U.S. about ?30? years ago, and made "right" by buying the "dog experts". The "dog experts" assured everyone that a crate is "just like a den"....well, have you ever seen a den with four shut sides?
In England and Europe "crating" dogs is still mostly unheard of.
Dogs do best when allowed the run of the home. Second best is closing off (baby gates work well for most dogs) a large room.
Also, we have always owned two dogs at a time, so they are company for each other when we are at work.
NO housebroken dog should be crated, in most cases.
22
@RLiss My dog treats the house like a toilet when left alone, except when crated. She really doesn't seem to mind the crate, and even hangs out in it voluntarily with the door open. I think it depends on the dog.
5
@RLiss THIS! I'm a veterinarian and am certainly an outlier in my disgust with crating dogs for hours. Who wants to spend the day in a cramped space? Then wonder why the poor dog is neurotic and anxious. If you were forced to spend your day in the spare bathroom everyday you'd be anxious too. Can't wait for the day this is considered cruelty.
17
@RLiss Totally agree. We have never crated our dog and never will. A co-worker told me of a neighbor who crates her young adult male golden retriever for the ENTIRE day while she's at work. When I hear this, it makes my blood boil. Who wants to be cooped up for 8+ hours a day straight in a plastic box? Completely inhumane.
10
Dogs are pack animals. Those dogs that become destructive when left alone just need a bff. Get 2 dogs if you can- they will entertain each other and make you feel guilty for all the single dogs you denied such companionship to. Yes, and skip the Jack Russell unless you have 2 acres with squirrels to chase.
16
The joy of canine companionship is immeasurable. Please adopt or foster. Please carefully consider the time commitment living with a dog requires. Love your beasts as we do. But, one never owns a dog; the dog owns you.
16
Dogs are not for everyone. But, they are the best, if you care to develop the relationship.
14
Occasionally my husband suggests getting a second pooch to keep our Alpha rescue Jasper “company”. No way. This 17-lb Maltese-Pug-Cattle Dog mix has worked his way so deeply into our hearts and home that the thought of a day without him immediately brings tears to my eyes. We showed him our gratitude by building him his own Easy-Turf dog run in the courtyard, letting him have extra carrots and apples, and giving him more quiet time when the grandkids come to visit!
5
If you teach a dog to go out, and take it out enough times during the day (as responsible dog owners should do), then there is no need for wee wee pads and silly rug confusion. The real issue that I have seen and reading this, is that so many owners actually don't have the time for their dogs. They buy them fancy accessories, food, give them cuddles from time to time, and otherwise the dogs are just this living background home decor.
The real part where a dog changes your life and is in charge, it when you actually take the time to walk them, play with them, and make real time for them. Not how much you need to redecorate your home.
You certainly do not sound like someone who should have a dog.
17
@Rebecca
Agree, and stunned that so many people have adult dogs who relieve themselves inside. These dogs are not happy. A well adjusted dog will be hesitant to soil his own space even by peeing on the porch or deck of his people's property. A dog who is neither a puppy nor elderly and infirm that uses "pee pads" is a sign that you should've gotten a hamster.
2
@Rebecca
Sometimes the dog has a problem that's a real challenge. Our 3rd dog, our 1st rescue (at around 3 yrs old) had such an issue. We tried everything... trainers, constant walking, etc. He kept marking the apartment, not when we were away, but when we were home, most often playing with him, and he'd run into another room and mark, then run back to play some more! So... for the 13 years we had him he wore a belly band. If you don't know what that is, google it; it's a piece of fabric that ties on a male dog with a velcro closure that you put a sanitary napkin in. Doesn't look a weired as it sounds; visitors would think it was a decorative accessory. It worked! Don't know what we could have done if he was a she.
@SDS This is a special circumstance, and those do exist. I am talking about the overall trend in wee wee pads, and dogs being at home. Marking is also a bit different from a dog just going to the bathroom.Belly bands are a great solution to random marking. The dog should still be taken out for walks, where I am sure he will go to mark the trees, shrubs and poles.
Get a cat. My son's dog, ate his mattress... and his newly installed hardwood, and his couch and needed to be walked! Our cat just warmed up the mattress and was content to be stroked which provided us with as much pressure add it did her.
2
@vickie I had a cat who warmed the bed on cold winter nights. My then girlfriend joked that when we hit the bed, we didn't have to shiver. Unfortunately, we did not perform the same service for the cat.
1
Leather couches have solved my dog hair problem forever. Now I love having her around again
3
Yikes - this story really misses the joy that is a life with dogs - this writer sounds miserable. I'm selling my Brooklyn house & moved cross country because i love my dogs. I'm a dog writer by trade & would love to write a response-lets talk
www.SassafrasLowrey.com
7
@Sassafras Lowrey
I think this writer doesn't understand dogs, doesn't have one and really shouldn't have written this piece. Someone who has actually has lived with dogs would have been the right choice.
1
I have a friend buys ground beef for himself and a steak for his dog.
5
Adopt a rescue dog.
It will make you very, very happy!
8
It is vital that you don't get a dog, or any pet, unless you are committed and consider the implications as the author did! I have two dogs and I just gave up my seat on the couch for one of them (I'm typing on the floor). While a good owner need not go as far as I or others do to pamper their pets, it's essential to know your limits before getting a dog.
I volunteer at a Long Island, no kill animal shelter, Bobbi and the Strays - walking, playing, socializing, and just getting the dogs out of their kennels. Several times a week we get someone wanting to surrender a dog because they "don't have the time" or "it was more work than we wanted" or "didn't know it would get so big" or, very often, "we have to move and can't take the dog". These dogs go through terrible separation anxiety, won't eat, get sick, and pine for their owners for months.
Often, a dog will be abandoned in the old apartment / house until someone finds it. Or tied to a fence. Or just let loose.
A dog (any pet) is not a toaster. It is a commitment for life. Their life is in your hands, literally. Don't toss them aside when you're 'done'.
And, PLEASE, don't buy a dog. Adopt, don't shop! If you must have the new designer pup to be the envy of you friends, find a reputable breeder. But NEVER go to a puppy store, even the chain stores. Those dogs are, through no fault of their own, from puppy mills regardless of what the owner will tell you as they try to get your thousands of dollars.
45
@Kevin
I agree--don't buy while shelter pets die.
3
@Kevin
amen, amen.
3
We've just adopted a dog after years of living in the city, and the eleven-pound titan changed everything: coordinating schedules, dedicating time for training and walks, making space for toys and supplies––the list goes on.
But these changes, you quickly realize, are superficial. What is one less cupboard, a few toys on the (occasionally wet) ground, and less time spent on Facebook when it comes to this new character in your life?
In my experience––six months with this little spicy pepper––the costs mentioned in this article are in no way commensurate with the joy that comes with expanding your life to include a pet.
Sure, our routine has bent greatly to accommodate the sniffer. But he conforms to our schedule as much as we do to his.
And I'm afraid that the pessimistic tone of this article may deter potential pet owners from adopting while thousands of animals wait in shelters.
What's the value of a sofa compared to years of company with an animal who's been saved? What can a dollar buy you at Starbucks? Not very much...
To paraphrase something a friend told me, "Getting this dog ruined my life. And it's the best thing I've ever done."
34
@Eric
Couldn't agree more. We're on our 5th poodle, our 3rd rescue. Each time one passed, we said no more! We lied; we simply can't live without a dog. I forget who said, if dogs don't go to heaven, I want to go where they go.
1
We have three dogs and three grown children. Most of their collective lives the dogs have been better behaved. Throughout the adolescent worries of car accidents, wild parties, illicit underage tattoos, sub rosa road trips and everything else, our dogs occasionally mistook the kitchen chairs for fire hydrants, climbed onto the table to finish the odd unattended pizza, or welcomed guests with unseemly affection or (if they had facial hair) wary growls. The dogs’ transgressions caused fewer sleepless nights than the kids’ antics and ironically, it was the dogs who learned from their mistakes!
31
@NoNamesPlease
And you don't have to worry that anyone is going to sell them illegal drugs, or they are going to sell drugs to support their habit.
One of the first commands a new dog learns in this household is LEAVE IT !! ; spoken firmly and with a no nonsense, sharp voice. Pills and meds for people can be dropped too.
Good 'leave it ' :-), here's a small treat for a reward.
1
As well behaved as they seem when compared to teenagers, our dogs are not “well trained;” in fact they have mostly trained themselves to whatever extent they are civilized. I would not have a dog that does tricks or performs for food or treats. We have them because we love them, not to entertain us—-although they are at times hugely entertaining. I guess in that way they are very like children :)
Not even just at home. In Central Park, I often see people walking their dogs or more accurately, their dogs dragging them along, huffing and puffing. It is clear the human is not the alpha in the relationship. No judgement, just interesting to watch...
6
There is no alpha. No dominance. Just a dog that needs leash training. Which is quite easy.
7
My beautiful new sofas are covered with a protective pet cover and towels on top of that just to be safe. The dog is here temporarily until our daughter moves out and the dog goes also. Its like having another child almost.
6
I’m going to say something wildly unpopular here: Reading this piece makes me want to avoid having a dog in the city. It seems like people nowadays have no sense of proportion or common sense when it comes to their animals. Changing nearly everything to accommodate an animal? Socializing with people because you are all dog people? Nuts.
I grew up with my nearly best friend, a dog. (My brother was my best friend.) Many times a week just the dog and I would take hikes and explore the woods. We got into a few scrapes, and once I rescued him from a low oak tree limb that required me to plunge through poison oak and two weeks of wicked rash to save him. I still remember the look in his eyes, and his relief when I gathered him up in my arms. He was a wonderful companion, and I cried when he finally succumbed to cancer during my freshman year at college.
But he was also independently able to access the yard, stay home inside or outside alone while we were at school, and sleep and sit on the floor. Lots of times we’d be on the floor with him. There was no dressing the dog in outfits, no special food other than kibble in the bowl, no people standing around talking about their dogs. Dogs were wonderful, but they were dogs, not children. We did not rework our lives to be dog people. I can’t see how having a dog now in a city apartment would allow that kind of easy coexistence. And I can’t see how engaging in dog-centered urban culture is much more than fatuous and self-limiting.
32
@voltairesmistress
"And I can’t see how engaging in dog-centered urban culture is much more than fatuous and self-limiting."
I guess you just haven't tried it.
Actually, some of my closest, lifelong friends are people I first met in the dog park. We had play groups. We pet-sit for each other when that was needed. We shared advice, and dog-centered supplies, and just the love we all felt for our pooches.
7
@voltairesmistress
How is "engaging in dog-centered urban culture" any more fatuous and self-limiting than having children and immersing oneself in their culture?
I'd argue it's less so, since having children is a selfish act in an overpopulated world. Most dog people take in a homeless animal they realize will live a limited life but adopt them anyway.
3
The black and white brand new Marimekko sheets went to the charity thrift shop first, followed by a solid color rug, silk throw pillows, loosely woven blankets, and a big, fragile vase that sat on the floor. The green sofa got a tan slipcover.
Two pugs shed pounds of beige hair, and sometimes like to chase each other, plus the paw licking routine leaves gross stains on every fabric.
And when I wake up in the middle of the night with warm snoring dogs curled around my feet, it is so very worth it.
43
@Michael c Thank-you, your comments brought back memories of our Pug, Jobim who passed months ago at age 13. He and his litter mates were rescued from a puppy mill. One day, our neighbor dropped by with a basket of squirming puppies and asked which pup we wanted; my response was none. My Partner thought otherwise and this whirling dervish of a Pug joined our family. When you wrote of snoring and paw licking, you brought our Best Guy back to life for a few sweet moments for which i am grateful.
11
The gentleman who picks the Best of Show at one of the major dog fests was checking the Terrier group when he said to his TV pal that if you own a Terrier, especially an Irish Terrier who is female, don't even consider that she is living in your house. As far as she is concerned you are living in her house. My 6-year-old Irish Terrier Suzie couldn't agree more.
21
@Jim Dwyer
And my Lakeland terriers, Sadie, 11 yrs old and Fergus, 2 yrs old, who are both sleeping on my bed as I type, agree with Suzie!!
2
Like kids, dogs, a spouse , pros and cons. Dogs require a lot of attention.They need to be walked, fed, and have an expensive vet routine every year, sometimes more often. Those are the cons. The pro's is, dogs make great companions. The old saying is true. " If you want a friend , get a dog." They never let you down. Who else is always glad to see you?
44
@Dan Green
a CAT!!
2
I am going to object to the phrase "pet parent". You are a pet owner. The parent of a pet, is the dog/cat/cockatoo who gave birth to it. I know commercial businesses refer to pet parent, but no. I grew up with dogs and they definitely do rule the roost, but we were not their "parents".
19
@Meighan
I know dozens of people who bristle at that cutesy term “pet parent” for exactly the reasons you say! I couldn’t agree with you more!
13
@Meighan You're right. My cats are not my children. They are my furry, freeloading roommates.
28
I consider myself a pet parent because my pet is a huge part of my life, and isn’t just a thing that I just feed and take walks on everyday. To each their own.
12
Geez, we've been remarkably fortunate.
Nine German Shorthairs (no more than three at a time) and a Buckskin Plott (all rescues, sniff, sniff!) in Manhattan apartments since 1970, and no problems. No, really.
(Samuel, Simon, Margaretta, Lemuel, Constance, Ernest, Cedric, Theodore, Daisy, Chadleigh, all non-smokers)
Oh, OK, Theodore would go bezerk on detecting barometric change 40 miles away (God's honest truth) so we had to be hourly-vigilant on all weather websites and radio stations. If we were in orbit when a storm threatened the far horizon, one of us would rush home to pack him in his recording-studio-soundproofed white-sound-fan-ventilated sleeping bag.
OK, so out three or four times a day in those dog-immune bone-shattering sub-zero F5 blasts was not a plus.
But otherwise, no behavioral or decorating problems, no friction with neighbors, just some passive-aggressive bedhogging.
Oh. Yes. We daily thank The Great Pumpkin for Dog Hill.
9
How could I have possibly neglected the “Why?“ for pointers and plott? Because they let us love them unconditionally, they tolerate our mauling them, and they are irrepressible in convincing us that we are the center of their world when the truth is that they are the center of ours.
2
RE: For nearly six years, Juan Rosales and Sam Litton lived in the kind of apartment that other New Yorkers envy: one that was enormous and relatively cheap. They paid $2,400 a month for the spacious two-bedroom in Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn. The building’s strict no-pet policy wasn’t a problem until the couple adopted Hugo, a mutt, in October 2017....
Soon, they were timing Hugo’s walks to avoid encounters with the super. They gave the dog walker instructions on how to keep a low profile
Wow. I would not pick Litton or the firm of which he is part for legal work. A lawyer knowingly violates the rules of the building where he lives and publicizes the fact in the newspaper? Litton and Rosales sound like terrible neighbors. They think house rules are optional.
13
@Reader In Wash, DC:
Did they murder, do arson, bilk the elderly out of their savings?
NO! So....get a sense of proportion.
9
Yes, my cats run my life. I chose my house because it has a huge screened-in porch where my indoor-only kitties can safely enjoy sunshine and fresh air. I turned my yard into a backyard wildlife habitat so my pets would have other critters to entertain them. My furniture and rugs are easy to clean. They sleep on my bed and wake me up too early on weekends.
I don't regret any of these choices. In a time when many people are too busy to meet for dinner or even talk on the phone, my cats provide the companionship that acquaintances and relatives won't. That may sound pathetic, but that's reality for a lot of us. And I'd much rather have my pets' unconditional love than an expensive sofa.
49
I have a Jack Russell. He is a sweetheart, but he is on high alert most of the time. He makes a great watch dog, but he didn’t get his nickname, Bob Barker, for nothing. Also, he sheds A LOT. Each week the vacuum is filled with enough dog hair to make another dog.
16
@Vicki
Try owning Pembroke Welsh Corgis. I've never seen another breed produce that much hair twice a year when they shed. It's like tumbleweeds blowing across the tiled floors. I vacuum three times a week.
3
@NYHUGUENOTBernese Mountain dogs. They shed heavily on a daily basis, plus more at seasonal change. Vacuum daily, they’re worth it.
@NYHUGUENOT
Funny...! Truly interactive housemates
It's like the continual counter wiping of crumbs following behind children or of a wife the morning after mid night granola snacking
So true! When some family members started talking about getting a dog, one of my sons was not in favor of the decision. I was told that the dog would take over the house. My reply was "That's ridiculous! A 25 lb. dog can't take over the house." Well the dog is in charge and has taken over the house! Fact is though, now we can't imagine our life without a dog.
28
this is hilarious. What a great article
12
Pets can be a blessing or a curse depending on YOUR life style and the life style you want and/or need to have in the future.
I was a veterinarian for 50 years and one of the biggest problems (of many problems) that clients complained about is how the dog (usually a dog) did not adapt to their “human” lifestyle, house rules and schedule and how they had to adapt to the dog’s lifestyle. Of course there’s always some adjustment, but in many households the dog is the one calling the shots all the time. While some don’t mind, others cannot, or don’t want to do that for many reasons.
Also remember your neighbors. If you live in close quarters with neighbors a yappy constantly barking dog will cause you no end of trouble!
Be smart! Be OBJECTIVE before you run out and impulse buy that dog! Think, think, think carefully about the ramifications of doing this. A clear headed evaluation ahead of time of what owning a pet for 15+ years might mean in your life ( including the financial commitment!!!!!) will go a long way in preventing future misery for both you AND the pet!!
39
A year ago, I chose my apartment because it's on a high floor overlooking a park and has a large balcony. I chose it purely for the thrill that watching all the birds and squirrels outside would give my beloved 14 yr old Abyssinian cat. Now in his last weeks of life, as he dies of bowel cancer, he is stretched out on the couch - which belongs to him - for hours watching birds fighting over the bird feeder and squirrels scampering around nearby as they hustle for seeds the birds have dropped.
I'm thankful every day I took this apartment.
Several weeks before I learned my cat was sick, I acquired a gorgeous sheltie puppy. I hoped she and the cat would become famous friends. I've had shelties before - they're usually calm little dogs. But this one is insane, running laps around my living room and usurping all my rugs as pee-pee pads and chew toys.
The cat eyes the puppy warily because the puppy is more interested in him than he would like. Possibly, he'd like these final hours to be quieter. Or maybe he's secretly pleased to have another being as infatuated with his beauty and mystery as I am. The puppy certainly adores him.
Watching the two of them tonight completely in charge of my living room - and my life - I feel like the richest person alive.
Because I am.
54
@fast/furious
If reincarnation exists, I want to come back as one of your pets.
Ah shelties, so sensitive and with those soulful eyes.
2
@fast/furious
my best wishes to you in these last days with your dear cat. Hold her as tightly as you can... easing the pain of illness of a beloved pet is an act of love of the highest order.
2
One cannot truly know love until you give your heart to a dog.
There is a reason it is God spelled backwards.
24
So Juan Rosales and Sam Litton got a dog despite "the building’s strict no-pet policy"? Because they were above the law? Apparently they couldn't understand that rules are there for a reason. Glad they moved before they were evicted or fined.
These are the people who let their dogs play on the grass in parks despite "no dogs" signs, leave their dogs off-leash when walking them, won't pick up their poop.
My own building has a no dog rule, because previously, owners abused other residents rights with their pampered pets. You want a cat, goldfish, gerbil? Great. But don't inflict your dogs on the rest of us.
11
@Andrew Porter:
Did they murder, do arson, bilk the elderly out of their savings?
NO! So....get a sense of proportion.
6
@Andrew Porter
I'm of the opinion they happened upon and fell for this adoptable dog so it was a spur of the moment decision.
Even if it was a planned adoption, they obviously knew they couldn't stay in the apartment as the move was only three months later.
One impetuous decision doesn't make them guilty of other dog related indiscretions.
@RLiss
Why do I suspect the dog problems in Florida are totally different than those in NYC, where people live above, below and right next to others, an apartment wall or floor away—and share a communal elevator and street.
Hmmmm, let me see ... full-size back seat in the new pickup; leather interior in the other car; new low rise king size bed; European pet vacuum; carpet runners on the stairs; extended tread on the back deck steps; and even insisting on a house across from a park ... guilty, all decisions revolve around the dog. And that’s perfectly OK with us.
16
After a lifetime of dogs, we find ourselves without for three years now. We just purchased an ivory colored sofa and with it, announced no more pets. Loved them all but it is time to not worry about how upholstery will hide pet hair and dirt.
8
@Let the Dog Drive
If only you'd have bought a leather sofa you could have had both.
@Let the Dog Drive
Get a non-shedding breed, problem solved. And, since I'm allergic, we've only had poodles.
Dogs? Cats? Child's play! Try owning a cockatoo. Even the smaller species (250 g) are nonstop machines of destruction. The entire room must be bird-proofed. All furniture covered. Boxes built around the bottom of the furniture. Assume that despite your best efforts, at least one chair will be destroyed. All outlets must have baby plugs. Walls must be lined with barriers and the corners must have plastic corner guards. Forget having house plants (some of them toxic to birds). No teflon anywhere in the house, ever (check your oven before you buy it). Windows and doors can't be opened. Books must be kept in a different room and the door must be kept closed. When you have a bird, you don't decorate. And they live 40-50 yrs.
18
@WastingTime
DC pretty well hits the nail on the head with one important omission -- cockatoos can be mindbendingly noisy. Tame, they're permanently starved for affection and will scream endlessly until given the attention they crave. Simply said, cockatoos are not for the faint of heart and should not be made pets by apartment dwellers.
Too, with any exotic bird, it's critical to know the bird's history. No one should ever purchase a parrot family bird without confirming that it was born and raised in captivity. Too many parrot species are threatened in the wild by the combination of habitat loss and illegal poaching, illegal importation into the U.S., and poor judgement on purchasers' parts. Parrot rescue programs are overwhelmed by birds their buyers cannot keep and, once tamed, zoos cannot accommodate them.
Please don't buy one of these birds unless you're certain you're willing to endure the problems they present and to know that you are not contributing to the species' demise.
22
@WastingTime
There are these things called bird cages.
2
@Reader In Wash, DC:
Being caged constantly is cruelty to these highly social and intelligent bird.
Also, no cage controls the noise factor.
4
Life with terrierists: We started out thinking crates would work, but they howled . . . so we moved them to a specially made dog bed on the floor. The crates we donated to a dog trainer. The dog bed lasted a week and then they got on the bed. The local humane society loves the donated dog bed. They were going to stay on top of the covers at the foot of the bed . . . but migration happens and now they're at the top of the bed and under the covers . . . and the old bed, which no longer fits, is going to the great donation truck next week . . . since we're getting a new, oversized bed to accommodate the ever encroaching canines. If this doesn't work, I'm considering donating my spouse, but likely he'll donate me first . . . .
84
Get a cat or two. They use a litterbox, they are glad when you leave the house because they like about 18 hours of sleep. They are happy when you come back home because the have to sniff all the fragrances you picked up while you were gone and they are very comfy to cuddle with.
54
@Karin Byars:
Agree. We have always had both cats and dogs, and they all get along fine.
BTW we also had (now grown) two children. Life is choices!
3
@Karin Byars
Here is how my old friend the Army Colonel/Christmas tree farmer from Pennsylvania justified having only cats and no dogs on his farm with a simple question "Have you ever stepped in cat feces?" (except he did not say feces) 'Nough said!
@Karin Byars
Uh, actually I have, when a neighbor in the burbs had an outside cat that liked to leave unappreciated presents on our front porch. And, years ago, my puppy ate some and nearly died.
I have a dog and have had others, and they've been wonderful. Most of the time. But - in thee city pr out, they change your life, and there are demands that come with them. And they don;t fit into everyone's lifestyle - or pocketbook, because sometimes the latter has t be deep to accommodate the former.
This was a light hearted look at the issue of accommodation - by the person who is likely to be doing most of the accommodating.
Dog people can be great; but they can be boors and bullies as well, assuming everyone is the same, or lecturing others on the proper dog, or one and only way to train, etc.
There's a reason so many dogs end up in shelters ( beyond the fact that there seems to be no neutering south of the Mason Dixon line): people get hooked on the IDEA of a dog only to be disillusioned when the animal is messy, demanding or can't be left alone for hours, or needs to go out to do its thing when the wnd and rain are howling.
People who are leery of taking on the responsibility shouldn't.
They could experiment by vacation sitting a friend's pet - or by fostering a dog from a rescue group. It will show how well a new creature will fit in to the family's schedules, living space, and other responsibilities. No lifetime investment: that can come when and if the whole family is ready ( and the core accommodator says yes).
39
@cheryl: I lived in NYC for 12+ years and had a dog for some of that time. As much as I love dogs and as smart and well behaved as he was, it never felt right. I grew up in the country and have long since moved back, this is a much better balance. Maybe it's because I favor larger dogs (Scout, my Kelpie is 70 pounds). I think it's largely a matter of where you are in life, how much time and attention you can naturally and conveniently pay to the dog, what else is there for them when you're not there. I rarely use a leash, rarely have to raise my voice, we used to hike a lot out in the wilderness (until we both got older and infirm) but we still hang out a lot, go to the dog park, or sit outside in the high 70 temps and watch the coyotes go by. We ride in the car and he howls along to NPR theme music, barks hello at every creature we see, especially horses, and dances around recently shed snakeskins (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBV1veuYxLk). I'm not arguing against having a dog in the city, just noting that it takes a lot out of you, in a place where demands are already high. That said, I can't imagine being without a dog.
18
@cheryl:
Yes and PLEASE don't get a pet with the expectation that the kid who wanted one WILL actually take care of it.
Kids mostly have good intentions, but fall off fast. The pet is the one who suffers from it.
13
@EricR
How I miss the sound of my (now deceased) sheltie Shea "singing" to the Diane Rehm and Fresh Air themes. I leave NPR on while away, so it was a happy surprise when, on my day off, he walked over to the radio and joined in with the music.
My two chihuahuas, who learned to accompany Shea, still howl along if I hum the Diane Rehm theme.
Thanks for unearthing that joyful memory. Your Scout sounds like a wonderful companion.
3
Yes, dogs require serious accommodation, but please, do your research first. How do I know that you haven't? Because you write about "a little Jack Russell at your feet." They're actually called PARSON Russells, and they are perpetual motion machines. When the TV show "Frasier" was on with Moose (who played Eddy), there were thousands of people who got little Parson Russells, not knowing their need for a "job." And they were promptly surrendered by the dozen to shelters because they were destructive. They were destructive because they didn't have enough to do all day left to their own devices. PLEASE do research on any dog breed (or mix) you get. Better yet, get an adult dog from the shelter - usually wonderful dogs, housetrained and you'll save a life.
73
I gaze with love at my Labrador, Lily, as she claims a major percentage of couch. She was told repeatedly as a puppy “no couch no couch”.
Oh well, as I gaze away with love ...
65
@SD
Know where your coming from. My cocker spaniel has a reserved space at the foot of my bed . I provide a warm soft robe of mine she likes to lay on. Does it smell like a dog, sure does. I just take it to the cleaners often, while finding a substitute for a couple days. Woof woof.
10
I LOVE that Ms. Kreth's maintenance manager takes the dog down to the basement whenever he gets lonely. Wow!
51
@Joseph Hanania
I wish someone would take me to the basement when I am lonely. Just kidding, the dog sitter is great company when I come in.
4
Not sure if the the author is serious or not but having a dog is going to be THE BEST DECISION you make in your life. The reason why people are willingly to change their life for their dogs because the love and joy from having a dog supersedes all the compromises we make.
My boyfriend who never had a dog in his life suggested to adopt a dog because he sees how much i miss my dog who passed away before we met. He said to me the new dog is not allowed on ANY furniture. No licking him ever. A dog is a dog and they should know their place. Now our new dog is 10 month old and my boyfriend sleeps with him on the bed. The dog doesn't even want to! He asks the dog to "kiss" him and our dog happily obey. Every day he comes home and hugs and kisses the dog first! and he sings songs to him on daily basis. Even I think its like too much and complains that he never even showers that much attention on me!! A dog's love is the best love you can receive, period.
120
@Rebecca
Spot on Rebecca the companionship excels over all trials and tribulations. Of course it helps to have been raised as a kid with always having a dog, they just become part of life. My dogs were always my best friend.
35
@Rebecca
A few decades ago I had a boyfriend who had never had a dog, but he fell in love with the one I had when we met. Later, when that dog was no longer with us, he resisted getting another, sure that my first dog was just an exception.
I got a dog anyway. He was soon hopelessly in love with her.
If your boyfriend is as devoted to your dog as you make it sound, be happy. He's a keeper (the BF that is).
(Full disclosure: Even though the BF loved the dog, I left the former and kept the latter.)
6
Funny, funny!
5
It can be similar with cats. I do not own a single piece of furniture with upholstered sides/front/back. All my furniture has exposed wood framing with upholstered cushions on the seat and back. Why? Because cats claw and sometimes spray. That ruins upholstered furniture and stinks up the house. I learned the hard way years ago.
Having cats determines, for me at least, what kind of furniture I buy, what kind of blinds/drapes I have, what kind of flooring I install, and it has forced me to up my game when it comes to housekeeping (I vacuum daily and keep the kitchen counters scrupulously clean so the cats don't go on them, and it works: they don't). I have a three-bedroom house, and one of the three is devoted solely to the cat litter boxes so I don't have the boxes in areas where I or others routinely go. I scoop twice a day and sweep/vacuum that room daily.
Worth it to me, but possibly not to everyone. I've owned cats for 20 years, so over time I've used my experience to create a home that's (relatively) easy to keep clean while also having two cats. Workers who come in to do plumbing or electrical work are always surprised to see a cat amble into the room - my house doesn't smell like cats. Not easy, but do-able. Sure, they're extra work, but so are kids. And I don't have to pay through the nose to send my cats to Stanford.
29
I always note that our dog and cat’s adolescence and beyond is so easy because we don’t have to save for their college education!
10
@GreenGene
agreed! you actually have furniture??
I have teak benches & chairs & hardwood floors. when "company" comes I put a cushion on the chair & remember to take it off before kitties settle in...
I have no rugs (except a couple that are rubberized underneath so they can't have fun "sliding" on them ;-)
forget sisal rugs, pillows & anything plush or carpeted...
they have their soft beds (& mine!) & several cozy cat areas including 3 separate areas for litter box privacy -
bonus: you don't have to pay for their college education or worry when they become old enough to drive. and unlike dogs, they go on their own & don't depend on you to open the door, take them out on a frigid night/morning & pick up/dispose of their poop.
As a long-time shelter volunteer please adopt from a shelter- they are millions of beautiful animals waiting to find their fur-ever home..save a life-enrich your own
7
@GreenGene:
NO neutered male cat sprays.
1
We currently have two dogs, Bella, 13 yo, and Teddy, 2 yo. We have had as many as four medium-sized dogs at one time. We gladly adjust our life decisions to accommodate their needs and comfort. A small price to pay for the joy they bring into our lives, not to mention the endless topics of conversation they provide with other dog aficionados!
44
We have a beautiful 2.5 year old, 80-pound golden retriever. I'm in my mid-40s and he's my first dog ever. I refer to him as the Canine Love of My Life. I never truly understood how or why people could become so dog-obsessed--until now. I'm totally smitten, and yes, our life happily and willingly revolves around the dog.
As a design and decor enthusiast, it hasn't been that hard to accommodate him--my advice is to get stylish indoor-outdoor rugs and a Dyson Animal cordless vac. Oh, and we traded in our queen-size bed for a king because, well, we're now a threesome every night.
91
Kind of like the wonderful illustration!
4
@Jennifer:
We've owned both dogs and cats forever; but our BEST dog ever was a rehomed Golden Retriever.
That breed is so gentle, kind and loving, they really are...sadly, cancer is now fully in that breed. Inbreeding, as Goldens became so popular, is the cause.
Over 60% of Goldens now die of cancer. Ours did not, he was finally euthanized, age 14, due to increasingly painful joint problems, that at the end made it impossible for him to get up or down alone.....
I'm not saying not to love and enjoy your dog, just have a GOOD vet who knows to watch for any symptoms of cancer early.
2
@RLiss
And do not use chemicals in your house and yard. They are carcinogenic. When my dogs are out walking we make wide berth around yards with posted lawn signs stating they were recently treated.
https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/canine-cancer/2/