| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/16/2008 10:23:41 AM | I understand what you are saying Not-For-You, but if I do decide to get another dog I will make sure and get one that is 2-3 years old. When I rescued mine they told me he got along good with females but not males. He still could get jealous but I can foster one and see how they make out and go from there. The rescuegroup where I got him from asked me if I would foster some dogs anyway. I really dont want to do it because of my schedule and I get attached very easily, and I know I will end up with a house full of boxers. I wont want to give any of them up.  | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/16/2008 12:54:34 PM | Love reading everyones pet stories!! Reminds me of my own 2 'babies'. Tho i am now petless (except for my Betta fish and YES he does know me and gets excited when he see's me after work!), i am enjoying this thread immensly!!
Blueeyed, i really do hope you get that 'sibling' for your boxer. He'll love the company when you are away and you wont feel as much guilt.
good luck with that! | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/16/2008 4:34:38 PM | | Just an opinion here...but...try to remember you are dealing with "your " feelings of guilt...the dog may not be all that uncomfortable while you are gone . ..he's just thrilled and happy that you have returned . So...it might help make you feel better to leave a radio on when you gone at a time you are usually not....plus...you can leave and old shirt with your scent on it for company for your pet . These things would be a lot less of an ajustment compared to......a human roomy that...... the pet may "NOT" take a liking to....or...another canine introduced....that the dog may "NOT " take a likeing to...which....would just add more things to the list for you to feel guilty about . | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/16/2008 4:44:01 PM | | I think I lucked out, because from my experience cats definitely get attached to their owners. My cat greets me at the door every day, meowing and looking for attention. The cat I had before her did the same thing. The only time I felt guilty was when I was in the Czech Republic for a week. When I got home he was meowing with a tone that I'd never heard before - like he couldn't believe it was really me. He didn't get along with other people. | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/16/2008 5:27:59 PM |
I understand what you are saying Not-For-You, but if I do decide to get another dog I will make sure and get one that is 2-3 years old. When I rescued mine they told me he got along good with females but not males. He still could get jealous but I can foster one and see how they make out and go from there. The rescuegroup where I got him from asked me if I would foster some dogs anyway. I really dont want to do it because of my schedule and I get attached very easily, and I know I will end up with a house full of boxers. I wont want to give any of them up
that truly is hard. i used to believe in allowing a female to have a litter before spaying her, until i had a dog that had ten. it tore me apart to have to give them away, even though i made sure that they were going to great homes. | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/16/2008 6:53:10 PM | Dogs get along better with opposite sexes for many reasons. Most well socialized dogs get along well with ALL dogs regardless of the sex. The age of the dogs really make no importance and 2 rescue dogs is more challenging. Puppies are easier to raise because they have no bad memories or issues and the owner has the ability to mold the pup into a great or a terrible dog. Rescues were dumped for a reason and come with bad habits that take time and patience to over come fears. Having a dog with separation anxiety and introducing a new dog will equal 2 dogs with issues. It doesnt solve anything only training does. Rescuing dogs is wonderful if you know what you are doing.
As for fostering...that is needed but sometimes it does more harm then good. You should not take a dog on a trial run just to see how it goes to only dump it off again. Dogs are a lifetime commitment. If an abandoned or neglected dog is just tossed around from home to home it is harder to retrain him for a good family pet. They dont feel secure. | |
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medana
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Joined: 12/8/2005
Msg: 86 | |
| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/17/2008 4:01:48 AM | i AM renting a room out to help w that, for 3 mo from may- i am going out of the country for 3 weeks, and my main problem is thinkin how my pets will be so hurt and disappointed i wont be home
its killing me, i swear, got guilt over it enough to give me bad dreams | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/17/2008 9:57:16 AM | I'm sad when I go out too, and I have 4 cats that can play together. But sometimes I sneak up and watch what they're doing when I'm not home and they're ok.
However, you really should get another dog for companionship so he can talk to one of his own. And remember PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE!!! Adopt from your local shelter.
If you need help, let me know. I have tons of animal rights people who have dogs that are being killed due to overpopulation that you could save. Good luck. | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/17/2008 10:06:46 AM | I don't have any pets. I don't get the idea of feeling guilty for leaving them. If they cause you guilt why have them? If you leave them, get them a sitter or put them in a kennel.
I have noticed a lot lately, people seem to think it's okay to take their pets everywhere with them... Hey guess what... some people are allergic to pet hair or dander... how rude can you be?
So the pet obsessed can slam me all they want, but as far as I'm concerned, if you feel like you aren't caring properly for your animal then maybe you shouldn't have one.
Society says, It's okay to have an abortion, but God forbid you leave your animal at home by itself for awhile. Let's get our priorities straight. | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/17/2008 10:37:30 AM | I think I lucked out, because from my experience cats definitely get attached to their owners. My cat greets me at the door every day, meowing and looking for attention. The cat I had before her did the same thing. I'm no official cat trainer, but I did have a cat at one time  and I'm a big fan of cats, I have read a few cat books. Cats often will display dog-like loyalty behaviors to their hosts if they are handled very often by humans when they are very young kittens, and taken into their new home after just a few weeks by the human handling them as very young kittens. The kitten essentially become a adult cat with a kitten-like mind, the human has imprinted onto them as if they are the cat's mom. On their own while you are away at work or out, they generally are quite independent (and asleep lots of the time). A day or two away from them doesn't faze them at all. Now when I left my cat at a boarder or with a friend when I went on vacation, my cat got real friendly to me for a few days after I came back home; then he began to display his normal independent behavior patterns.
I don't get the idea of feeling guilty for leaving them. If they cause you guilt why have them? Because they're fun to have around? Duh. | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/17/2008 1:06:30 PM | | i rescued all my pets and one has severe anxiety--partly due to his herding breed and partly due to his resuce on a highway totally traumatized. he does need meds or else he sticks his head in the fireplace or dryer and shakes from head to foot,but also another dog to stay with him, helped him a lot. she just rolls her eyes and snores ( a crazy english setter) , but her presence and the cats keep him happy. you should have one neighbor to trust with a key in case of ER and if possible perhaps trade on letting each other's pets out or else pay someone. here they actually have doggie day care around and pet sitters who will come and walk your dog for a fee. in the past,when i was working big hours, i did trade with a boarder who really liked pets for feeding, sitting and walking the animals and light housekeeping. that was easy to find elsewhere, but here it's a lot harder. i'm lucky to have two neighors i trust and vice versa. | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/17/2008 4:07:34 PM | nwflgirl, you obviously are not an animal lover and thats fine, but that is why you dont understand this post. As far as taking pets in public, when I take mine it is outdoors where allergies would not be a problem. Also, nobody said anything about not caring for their pets properly and maybe you should read all the posts. I am not slamming you either, you are entitled to your own opinions. To compare abortions to someone leaving an animal at home is ridiculious though.  | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/17/2008 5:00:58 PM | My roommate has this problem because her cat is unusually clingy - she just started seeing this guy and spent her first weekend at his house - gone friday to monday night. Now I've been with the cat for about 6 months now, suddenly I'm her favourite and I'm not used to this clingyness in a cat - mine isn't clingy at all. A pet here, a scratch there, and a full food dish is all he needs and he's good for the day! This cat strung herself across my shoulders, meowed all night until I let her into my room, claimed my lap as hers.
I made SURE my roommate felt good and guilty about leaving the damned beast for a weekend!
edit:
Society says, It's okay to have an abortion,
ahahaha! What society are YOU in? Definitely not the western one (aka north america) because our society is DEFINITELY not ok with it! It may be legal but you get bashed if you try it :3 | |
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r0gd0g
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Joined: 2/11/2008
Msg: 95 | |
| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/17/2008 5:01:40 PM | | I usually take my dog for a walk before I leave her alone at night. That way I am comfortable that she is tired, and sleeping. I don't make a big deal when I leave or when I arrive home early in the morning, because I think that is setting the dog up for separation anxiety. | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/17/2008 9:00:18 PM | rOqdOg makes a very good point. when you leave and make a big deal about it, dogs do get anxious. i also leave on the tv to ward off outside noise, but if i get it right, yours can go in and out. there is a book written by monks on dog training. it's a standard in any pet store. you should get a hold of it also. but, by the same token, if you leave overnite, you should know your dog's hours and probably be home early the next day--unless someone is subbing for you. really, this dog needs a mate. give him a pof profile! dogs travel and live in packs, and are not meant to be solitary. i'm told horses are herd animals and if you cannot afford two horses, you get your horse a goat. well, there's a thought.  | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/18/2008 5:37:41 AM | My one cat that i had actually used to fetch her toys. I dont have a dog at home so im really unsure how she learned it but it was pretty cool. lol The first time she did it,, i was watching tv and just non-chalantly picked up one of her toys and tossed it and she ran after it, picked it up, brought it back to me and dropped it at my feet. lol Hmmm,,so i did it again,,,again the same thing. lol Btw,,her favorite toys were those plastic caps on milk jugs, rather than her stuffed toys. lol
To the woman who made the comment something to the effect of 'if you feel guilt leaving your pet then why have them?' Do you have kids? Do you feel guilty when you leave for a few hours/few days and miss them? Most pet owners will tell you that our pets are like our children. I never had kids. My 2 cats were my babies and i loved them more than i can express in words! Kennels can be risky,,,,good chances of your pet picking up something and they could possibly be traumatized being left someplace they are unfamiliar (especially with my cats being housecats, they were not used to being away from home nor around so much commotion). | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/18/2008 6:02:33 AM | I think taking your dog out for a walk everyday for at least half an hour would be good for you both. Being at home all day, regardless of the doggie door, will still bring about boredom. When possible, take him with you in the car on errands. He'd much rather sit in the car for a short while and have the pleasure and experience of being "out".
Good luck. | |
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/18/2008 6:24:46 AM | I can sooooooooo relate! As a result, I got a second dog to keep my girl company when Mommy's working/out of the house. I rarely go out straight after work, as I have the responsibility to them, and they expect me at a certain time. If I do go out after work, I feel guilty and it will only be for a very short time, as I can't enjoy myself knowing they are home alone and haven't had their routine walk/drink of water/dinner.
Try finding someone who will walk him for you if you plan to be late.
Nothing beats how they greet you when you get home!!!!
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| How many other people feel guilty about leaving your pet behind?
Posted: 4/18/2008 6:44:56 AM | I have 3 dogs and they all miss me when im gone so I know what you and your dog are going through mine start as soon as they see me getting ready following me from room to room and for sure when I pick up the car keys.They may not be human but they do have "sense and feelings".A suggestion,try leaving the TV on it seems to help to hear a human voice.
feeling guilty in Fla | |
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