Gransnet forums

Pets

Can 1 person look after a pet?.

(26 Posts)
bentley49 Tue 16-Jul-13 14:48:11

I don't think a person on his / her own can look after a pet on their own properly.
I think there should be a mininum of 2 people in the house so there is a fallback should 1 be taken in to hospital for example.
Pets belonging to 1 person on their own should be taken away and re homed where they can be looked after properly.

Gerry

henetha Tue 16-Jul-13 14:53:48

Are you serious? There are so many people living alone who rely utterly
on the company of their dog or cat. Most people can make arrangements in the event of a calamity, I suspect.
I actually think this is a wind-up! Is it?

(p.s. I have a cockatiel.... she is very happy and absolutely easy for me to look after!).

HildaW Tue 16-Jul-13 14:58:34

Oh Gerry.....life been a bit quiet for you has it.....?

Anne58 Tue 16-Jul-13 15:00:45

"Oh Matron, he's had another idea!"

What a shame for all those single people with guide dogs, or specially trained dogs that help with other disabilities.

Still, they could be rounded up and put into institutions, thus making more housing available.

whenim64 Tue 16-Jul-13 15:38:10

Well, I have a dog and live on my own AND I have contingency plans in case I fall too ill or frail to look after her. She's out playing with her mates at doggie daycare at the moment, as I've been out gallivanting for a few hours, but I'll tell her what you said, Gerry, when I go to bring her home! grin

She likes a good laugh! grin

vegasmags Tue 16-Jul-13 15:46:28

Gerry I think you should lie down in a darkened room with a cold flannel on your head. The heat is obviously getting to you.

annodomini Tue 16-Jul-13 16:17:11

What a shame we've lost that tennis balls emoticon. I found it really expressive. [sphericals]

janeainsworth Tue 16-Jul-13 16:42:40

What about children Gerry?
Do you think all children being looked after by one person should be re-homed too [stirring emoticon]
Can we have a wooden spoon emoticon please GNHQ?

Galen Tue 16-Jul-13 16:44:36

I've asked for one before. I always thought jingle needed one smile

HUNTERF Tue 16-Jul-13 17:07:50

Gerry

Andie lives with me.
If I had to go in to hospital my daughters would look after him so there is back up.
They could be around in under 5 minutes.
If they happen to be on holiday somebody in the street would have him. They are all dog people and I have got plenty of other relatives within 20 miles with cars who are dog people.

Frank

HUNTERF Tue 16-Jul-13 17:16:22

Andie might say he would go and look after the granddaughters and he is older than them both in terms of human and dog years.

Frank

whenim64 Tue 16-Jul-13 17:36:12

I've brought my Nell home and told her about your theory, Gerry. From her response, she thinks you're barking! grin

sunseeker Tue 16-Jul-13 17:42:21

Once again Gerry is trying to wind us all up!

granjura Tue 16-Jul-13 17:47:41

I read you bentley - but I think it would be a much better solution for people to take responsibility and always make advanced arrangements for the pet, just in case, just as one does with children. This is what we did with our children, had a reciprocal arrangement with sil and bil. We've agreed to take on grand-children if ever - with finance in place for help, in the shape of a nanny/housekeeper. And our dog and cat have a good home in place just in case, with finance to support them to the end.

But I do agree that it is the pet 'owner' to ensure everything is in place for 'when and if', with people one trusts. Far too many pets end up in refuges/RSPCA because people do not think ahead and take responsibility. A pet is of great solace for a person on their own.

Backagain Tue 16-Jul-13 17:59:23

Have the schools broken up?

Galen Tue 16-Jul-13 18:11:57

confused

Anne58 Tue 16-Jul-13 18:22:03

Epping? Definitely not Dagenham.

granjura Tue 16-Jul-13 19:35:23

Heart breaking are the many stories, of expats in France or Spain (etc) who take on lots of pets, horses, donkeys, etc, and then leave to go back to UK - and leave the animals behind to fend for themselves. Makes my blood boil.

HUNTERF Tue 16-Jul-13 21:20:36

granjura

I agree that people should make fall back arrangements should they have to go in to hospital etc.
Sadly circumstances can change.
I did hear of a situation where there were 4 people in the house when the pet first came but it was down to 1 a few years later when the owner had to go in to hospital.
I was told a dog charity looked after the dog when the owner was in hospital for about 60 days.
It was a pity we did not know or I am sure the dog could have been looked after within our family.
Mind you we may have come attached to the dog and been sorry to see him go.

Frank

HUNTERF Tue 16-Jul-13 21:22:06

Backagain

The schools have not broken up in Sutton Coldfield.

Frank

Deedaa Tue 16-Jul-13 22:49:48

I'm sure the RSPCA used to do a card you could carry in your wallet stating that you had pets at home, so if you were taken ill or in an accident while out people would know they needed looking after.

glammanana Tue 16-Jul-13 22:52:05

I think the sun has got to Gerry next he will suggest older people without any relatives should all go into nursing homes.I have a plaque on my wall by my front door which states "The more people I meet the more I love my dog"

glammanana Tue 16-Jul-13 22:53:09

P.S our children finished school last Friday DD was delighted hmm

Ana Tue 16-Jul-13 22:54:05

All these replies and bentley/Gerry hasn't responded! grin

What a wind-up merchant...

HUNTERF Wed 17-Jul-13 07:24:15

Ana

I am wondering if Gerry has internet facilities at home as he only comes on to Gransnet occasionally.

Frank