I have two female cats who are both 5 years old, six months apart. I've had them since they were both less than a year old and lets just say they mostly just tolerate each other. One is your typical hands-off cat who wants attention when it's her idea and the other thrives on attention and being petted. They're both sweet and special in their own ways.
I grew up with dogs and really want one now. I love my cats more than anything, but I find myself pining for a dog as well for the last few years and would love to have a small one. The reasons I haven't done so is because I'm at work for approximately 9 hours a day, and I don't know if my cats would be accepting of one coming into "their" house after 5 years of them ruling the roost. If I got a small dog, I could (hopefully) train it to use those piddle pads they have in pet stores so my being away during the day wouldn't be as much of a problem.
I think a small dog would be good for me because it would force me to get out and walk it in the evenings whereas now when I come home from work I just do nothing because I don't feel like doing much. And a small dog would be good just to walk down the street or around the block...not all over the place like a bigger dog. And it'd be nice to have a buddy I could take with me on drives in the car; you can't really do that with cats.
As you can see, I've obsessed and thought about this a lot...any thoughts you'd like to add would be great!
First thing, make sure you are really serious about this. Adopting a pet is a commitment of at least 10 years or more. Maybe you could foster a small dog to see how that works out. Some dogs are used to living with cats so that would be half the battle. Sometimes the cats will eventually just tolerate the dog. It is easier if the dog ignores the cats. Over 10 years ago we adopted a Greyhound who was cat safe. That meant most of the time he could care less about the cats. And if worse comes to worse just keep fostering. That way it you need a break from it you can take one. Let us know what happens.
Thanks namakb. Believe me, I won't jump into anything and I definitely would get an adult dog at least a year old that is known to be OK around cats. I'm a big believer in adopting shelter animals. After talking to my sister, I think I'll hold off on the dog thing for now. I go through this wanting a dog thing every few months, but for now I'm blessed with two wonderful cats and I guess I'll leave it at that...at least until my next dog obsession phase comes along. ;)
Just one thought from a non dog person.
A puppy could be brought up properly by the cats.
No threat. no problems.
I say go with your heart and what you want.
Keep us posted
Kisses
Carolina
No, my cats are not declawed and I did consider that possibility.
I've come to the conclusion that I'm just bored and that's why I've been pining for a dog...not a good reason to get one by any means. I'm sure I'll always want a dog since I love them, but as long as I have my cats I'll just have to keep wanting and not getting. LOL!
Dear Blue Kat, I think it would be best if you do get a dog,
to keep it away from the cats at first, only letting the cats come near him when you are there..
If you tire doggy out before you go out , he will sleep a while,
leave plenty of comfort things for him , radio on , toys, bones etc.
an adult dog would not take long to get used to this habit...
Dolly
I'm here to say that cats and dogs CAN live together in peace and tranquility....well sometimes....lol! They are like kids...when they are raised together they learn to love each other most of the time...but they still have their moments!
One thing to think about is that cats are much more independent than dogs and you need to consider if it wold be fair for a dog to be left alone all day if you are working full time......some shelters will not even adopt to people if they know the dogs will be left alone for the majority of the day. Just a thought.....
If you want to be around dogs....maybe consider fostering for the shelters or dog walking or dog sitting for a part time job....just another thought...lol!
I'd love to be around dogs, cats -- just about any kind of animal -- all day if I could, lynnmarie. I'm just a die-hard animal lover and there's something about their presence that I find calming, even when things are crazy with them. My parents have a dog and I get my "dog fix" from him occasionally when I go there to visit, about 5 miles from my house. And I just couldn't volunteer for the local shelter because I'd want to take them all home, which would be too easy because the shelter is just down the road from me. LOL!
Hi Blue Kat,
I have a furball and he's a bit odd (I heard that Bucky! ;)) about other animals. Now with a strange kitty, he'll have none of that, no way, no how. And for some reason or another, he likes some dogs; he's a bit unusual I say.
Good luck which ever way you go, and give them kitties an extra brushing for me!
Take care of yourself -
Patze
I have a 4 yeard old dauschaund,, the laziest red boned hound you would ever want to meet,, i;ll sk him if he wants to go see kitty,, off we go over to my sisters where he gets on his hind legs and sits like a mercat,,,, but I know if he got a hold of it he would probably kill it,, I have seen what he does to moles he has caught in the yard,, they dnt stand a chance,, he got one chipmonk,, I wont describe that carnage,,,
Navydad, my sister had a miniature dachshund and I know what you mean! They are the most hard-headed, fearless little things...but sweet, too!
I love dachshunds with a passion (had a few over the years), and they are fearless and can be pretty ferocious from time to time.
Patze
Please, please don't declaw your cat. It is mutilation, not like cutting a nail but like cutting a fingertip. This procedure is forbidden in many countries.
Apart from that, I had a friend who had 2 cats for almost 10 years and she got a Golden Retriever puppy. The socialization was long and awkward but went well. Now they live together well. The cats don't really like the dog. But the dog is in love with one of the cats. Hehe.
I don't believe in declawing cats, which is essentially amputation of their little toes. My first cat was declawed but she was already that way when I got her at the animal shelter. The two I have now are not declawed and I have several scratching posts and toys lying around that they use and enjoy.
I still find myself wishing for a dog every few days or so...maybe one day I'll get my heart and my head in sync. LOL!
I am coming in on the end of this and too tired to read all the posts. Form the ads it looks like it may be a good comedy to take your mind off your pain. I think it is "Cats and Dogs 2. The revenge of Kitty Galore".
Declawing cats is illegal in the UK.
Quote from: Scottietottie on July 31, 2010, 08:00:43 AM
Declawing cats is illegal in the UK.
That's good...I wish it was here as well. I know the ASPCA is officially against it and some vets refuse to do it.
Kamie...yes, I find myself checking out Petfinder.com often, "just to look" I tell myself. The #1 I don't have a dog is my being away all day at work. If I could figure out a way around that, I'd be looking for real. Unfortunately, I work on the other side of town from where I live, so trips home on my lunch hour aren't a viable option. I guess I'll just have to keep dreaming for now...