Do you have a pet at home?

When we lived on the farm we always had dogs, cats, birds etc but now we have moved into town we are pet less.
Where we live cats are prohibited from being outdoors which means we would have to keep it constantly locked up, something I am not willing to do and my husband does not like the idea of confining dogs to a backyard. So we did not replace our pets as they died.

Washerwoman

That's very sad Sarnie.I do understand how worrying the reports of dog thefts are.But still in reality it's a tiny fraction of all the dogs out there.And having worked with dogs for years it saddens me when people don't ever let their dogs off to exercise.Especially higher energy breeds.4 months is the absolute best age to really train their recall.It can seem a huge step but really at this stage they are still babies,eager to please.Much easier to do it now then when adolescence kicks in.If you can find a nice open field or space where you can see who is around,lots of tiny treats in your pocket it can be so rewarding for them and you too.Obviously puppy classes won't be running now but maybe join another dog owning friend for a socially distanced walk and let Cooper intereact with their dog off lead?.I can guarantee he will love it,it's great for their socialization and makes them far less reactive on lead.Our two have 'helped' loads of puppies lead recall and doggy ettiquette.
I do understand your anxiety.But don't let it spoil all the years if fun with him.Good luck.

Thank you Washerwoman. We haven't lived her long so I don't know the neighbourhood that well. I was chatting with a friend who lives in a Close opposite ours and she said there is a lovely grassy open space at the end of her Close. It does not attract many people because there isn't any play equipment or benches. It is not very obvious from the pavement as it is behind the Scout Hut. That sounds ideal for me. I will be able to let him off the lead there. He has been doing his puppy classes on-line but he would love the mixing with other dogs, I'm sure. Thank you for your reply.

I am “grandma” to a 2 year old Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Had never had dogs so couldnt really understand the relationship But oh wow ?. He spends time with us if my daughter works odd shifts and we have sleep overs. He is absolutely adored. The sweetest, most easy going, fun, loving pup ever. ( To us LOL) He gives us all so much pleasure I cant imagine what we did before having him. He goes everywhere with us
( including the bathroom, kitchen, shed ... he sticks like velcro lol). (Who knew there are SO many dog- friendly places) and is never a minute’s trouble. Yep. I’m smitten !!

We have a bulldog called Evie.
We have been rescuing them for the last 20 years. They have brought so much joy to my life as we have no children.
They are stubborn and call all the shots but are so clever.
Evie gets her own homemade potato pie from my mum once a month and any Sunday roast meat that is left over. We ruin her too, she has roast turkey on her dinner everyday and gets so many treats.

For people who don't want to take on another animal because of worries due to your own age, and leaving them.

One option is to be a fosterer for Cats Protection. You could have either an indoor cat, or if you wish they will provide an outdoor run. All expenses food, vets etc are paid.

There is a lot of satisfaction in getting a scared kitty and getting it gradually tamer and less fearful, and ready for a permanent home.

Or if you love dogs, the Cinnamon Trust always want dog walker volunteers for short term, when the owner is ill or in hospital etc.

We don’t have any pets at the moment although we’ve had lots of cats and dogs in the past. More recently we looked after our son’s cat Smudge who he recused from Fuerterventure whilst on holiday (before COVID). Cost him the earth to have her transported to the U.K. and all of the paperwork etc she needed. He then realised he couldn’t keep her until he and his fiancé bought a house! Cue the cat sitting parents lol ?. I’d love a dog but we are still hoping to have holidays and don’t really have anyone to look after it ? perhaps in a few years x

Kupari45

I was just thinking this morning how much I appreciate the company of my dog. We try to go out at least once or twice each day -in all weathers.
We live in a village on the North East Coast, so we are on the beach most days. She just loves to be outside, and is a 12 year old Cairn Terrier- with attitude.
She makes me laugh during the day, and I think prior to the Lock downs I never really appreciated what a difference she makes to our lives.
Have you a pet ? I love animals so would love to hear about your pets.
She is very intelligent and listens to our conversation and barks when we mention certain words like POST or BISCUITS or DINNER etc. I'm not Pollyanna! but can we talk about our pets instead of vaccinations etc.

Here is my girl.
You cannot be sad with her around.

We've always had dogs & cats throughout our 40 married years until 2 years ago when the remaining cat, our beloved Thistle, died suddenly. As we used to travel a lot & pet sitting was becoming an issue, we decided not to replace him but oh, how I wish we had! We are about to embark on an extension to the house so I don't fancy little paws in concrete but, come the summer, I'll be on the lookout for a couple of kittens. In the meanwhile, we have a sole guinea fowl, the only survivor of 4 who came to us 4 years ago. She is a huge character & great fun to watch & I'm surprisingly fond of her, considering I don't like feathers & birds' feet ! I wouldn't want her on my knee though!!

I have a crossbreed Cavalier King Charles spaniel/poodle. He's a bundle of fluff and makes me laugh most days. He's developed a love of snow - when he saw it for the first time this year, he bounded out and jumped straight into a drift which covered him to his neck. And then he didn't look back! It was so funny. He's not so keen on having to be showered afterwards (as his fluff means he gets clumps of ice stuck to him and they need to be gently removed). Unfortunately, he's developed epilepsy, so I have to watch him like a hawk. He looked so bewildered after his first fit a few weeks back (and it frightened the hell out of me!).

Grandmajb

My Archie

My Archie.

3 cats (it was 2 but recently taken in an outdoor we were feeding - there were 2 but one died and his mate was left bereft and kind of just moved in to joing our two....); they all vie for attention at various intervals and I think have got used to someone being here every day as been working from home nearly a tear now. They are definitely good company to have around and it can be entertaining watching their antics

I have a cat called roger who is sixteen and is very demanding . I'm afraid this will be my last pet , because when they die , it's like losing a child . I don't mean to be morbid , but things like this need to be considered when getting a pet . When my yorkshire terrier died I was devastated , he was my baby and went everywhere with me . So I am unwilling to put myself through this again . Maybe I will push myself to bird , so I have something to talk at rather than the husband .

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We have 6 cats, all rescue. Animals make a home for me.

I used to have a dog who sadly died aged 16. My lifestyle after that would not fit in with a dog, so I started looking after friends’ dogs when they went on holiday, hospital stays, etc. It suited me really well as I had the company of a dog for short periods of time. However, since the pandemic started I gave, of course, not had any ‘lodgers’ and really miss the company and the exercise. Neither do I have the busy lifestyle that I long to get back to.

Wiggy the cockatiel has lived with me for several years now even though she belongs to my granddaughter. She's on long-term loan. She very noisy which is great because it breaks up the silence.

I owned a cross Munsterlander/border collie, Magnus, who I had to have put to sleep last year after sharing my life for 14.5 years. I miss his outsized, quirky personality and his unquestioning love. He helped me get through the dark days of my husband’s illness and subsequent death 10 yrs ago - without him I wouldn’t have had a reason to get up, get out and to engage with the world again - although I have two beautiful cats who are good company I miss my big black and white boy on a daily basis fighting for my share of the bed and sofa and yes - even the muck and dog hair! Lol

Bobby dog enjoying this mornings sunshine. We have had a dog most of our married life but this little chap is just so loved and spoilt, our ACs think we have lost the plot.......I think they are jealous ?.

|Kupari In the past we have always had Cairns. What a fantastic breed they are, so full of character. At the moment we have a little, mixed breed rescue girl but she definitely has some cairn in her. She is a bit less feisty than our previous Cairns which suits us now.
I wish Cairns were more popular as they are such delightful dogs.

Hi, just a wee tip and I don't have a dog, my daughter has a toy poodle and he loves the snow and someone had told her to take a whisk hand held one lightly over his fur to remove the snow,which she does outside and just couldn't believe how good an idea that was, don't know if it works on all dogs but poodle it does

Our little Yorktown died in November. He was a rescue who had had a terrible start in life and had several health problems. Nevertheless, he had nearly 11 years of being spoilt rotten and ruling the roost. Our consolation is that, as my OH lost his job due to the pandemic, they had many happy days together in that time ( he was a Daddy’s boy) . We also know that most of his life was very happy, with us. We won’t have another one. The pain of losing him was almost too much to bear.

My much loved cuddly cat died unexpectedly in September. She was my little shadow around the house and we had rehomed her after she had been living in a neighbours garden for several months. I missed her terribly and quite honestly not having her company made my days very grey.
After several tries with several rehoming centres and local animal shelters, we were so very lucky to be able to adopt our beautiful grey boy cat, who is so different from our last cuddly. Getting used to be woken at odd hours when he decides it's play time - our house is a home again.

Yes, we got a little cockapoo about 3 years ago. She's always been a joy and keeps us going through lockdown. Almost always had a dog, it's not so much that I sit there thinking I want a dog but more that I feel more comfortable and happy in life if I have a dog around. Particularly good for children and our old rescue labrador was a great listener.

we, well just I now,, have had dogs and cats, (yes plural) all our married life of 50 years
last dog a Sheltie, my best sort of dog died 4 years ago, I still miss her terribly.

still had cats, just one cat now..
when my Sheltie died, I contacted two Rescue places here, was vetted and passed by them both, but nothing.. heard nothing at all from them.

time passed , dh ill, then he died, now I am over 80 and so often want another dog, but know would not be best for him/her..

so my one cat now.. a rescue cat of 2 years is my comfort and companion, quite frankly I doubt I would still be here if she wasn`t here with me.

We have a dog. He's 3 years old, very lively, very intelligent, loves to play in the garden and bark at delivery men, and he's utterly devoted to my husband. He has kept us amused, active and sane this past year, I couldn't imagine life without him.

I am desperate to have a dog and have been searching non stop for some time. Unfortunately because of lock down and everyone wanting a dog, the prices are now unbelievably high and re-homing centres closed. Hopefully one day soon I will find myself a lovely little pooch.