Are Dogs Addictive?
Here are my own two dogs (Alfie has now sadly died) my daughter’s cava poo Rosie and Mickey the Yorkshire Terrier who is an ex-foster dog who comes back for holidays. As you can see they all got on really well!
I came across this poem recently and it got me thinking
Why own a dog? There’s a danger you know,
You can’t own just one, for the craving will grow.
There’s no doubt they’re addictive, wherein lies the danger.
While living with lots, you’ll grow poorer and stranger.
One dog is no trouble, and two are so funny.
The third one is easy, the fourth one’s a honey.
The fifth one’s delightful, the sixth one’s a breeze,
You find you can live with a houseful of ease.
So how ’bout another? Would you really dare?
They’re really quite easy but, oh, Lord the hair!
With dogs on the sofa and dogs on the bed,
And crates in the kitchen, it’s no bother, you’ve said.
They’re really no trouble, their manners are great.
What’s one more dog and just one more crate?
The sofa is hairy, the windows are crusty,
The floor is all footprints, the furniture dusty.
The housekeeping suffers, but what do you care?
Who minds a few nose prints and a little more hair?
So let’s keep a puppy, you can always find room,
And a little more time for the dust cloth and broom.
There’s hardly a limit to the dogs you can add,
The thought of a cutback sure makes you sad.
Each one is so special, so useful, so funny.
The vet and food bills grow larger, you owe BIG money.
Your folks never visit, few friends come to stay,
Except other “dog folks” who live the same way.
Your lawn has now died, and your shrubs are dead too,
But your weekends are busy, you’re off with your crew.
There’s dog food and vitamins, training and shots.
And entries and travel and motels which cost lots.
Is it worth it you wonder? Are you caught in a trap?
Then that favorite one comes and climbs in your lap.
His look says you’re special and you know that you will
Keep all of the critters in spite of the bill.
Some just for showing and some just to breed.
And some just for loving, they all fill a need.
God, winter’s a hassle, the dogs hate it too.
But they must have their walks though they’re numb and your blue.
Late evening is awful, you scream and you shout
At the dogs on the sofa who refuse to go out.
The dogs and the dog shows, the travel, the thrills,
The work and the worry, the pressure, the bills.
The whole thing seems worth it, the dogs are your life.
They’re charming and funny and offset the strife.
Your lifestyle has changed. Things won’t be the same.
Yes, those dogs are addictive and so is the dog game.
Unknown Poet
Are dogs Addictive and How Many is Too Many?
It’s easy to convince yourself that another little tiny bundle of fluff won’t have any impact on your life whatsoever. However, the rising costs of vet bills, insurance and grooming etc means that even the smallest dog can have a great impact on your finances and lifestyle. It might be ok to leave Fido with family or friends occasionally when you go on holiday but it would be unfair to expect them to take on a whole pack
The most dogs I’ve had living with me at one time was five. This was made up of my own two, an ex-foster who I was dogsitting and a bonded pair of rescue Maltese who were being fostered. I knew it would be for three weeks max, but I was still a little nervous.
Would I overlook a health problem?
What if they didn’t get on?
Would I be able to share my attention equally?
Actually, it was fine, in fact, enjoyable. But I knew it would be for a short time only. I don’t think as much housework got done. I’m sure I didn’t go out much, in fact, my whole world centered on the needs of those five dogs. It was summer so no housetraining problems, no muddy pawprints to deal with and no smell of ‘wet dog’ in the air.
Winter would have been a whole different scenario!
So, how many did you have at one time? and if your house is full how do you manage? I don’t mean just dogs…..cats? gerbils? rabbits?
I have to make sure that my head rules my heart because I could keep adding to my pet family. A bad day ( of which there have been many lately) could be transformed by a tiny bundle of puppy smelling scrumptiousness but I have to be strong and consider the bigger picture. I may be suffering from empty nest syndrome, with raging hormones and a desperate need to be needed but for now, I have to stick to two.
We have four dogs and in the beginning we often worried that it was too much. Especially when I found out I was having another baby. Over time we talk about how stressful it is less and how much they are part of our family more. I am definitely more attached to them than my husband, which can be a problem, but it’s clear that there is no turning back now. However, in the future I think I will draw the line at two. Our four seem to bond in twos. But, yes, I find dogs addictive 🐶
They do tend to bond in two’s don’t they! If it wasn’t for my husband being the voice of reason ie boring, we would have at least four. I’ve always had at least two because I would hate to go out and leave a dog on its own, Also they are more well mannered when there is a group of them. What breeds do you have? x
We have two Lhasa/poodle mixes and two shih tzu/terrier mixes. One of the Lhasapoos and one of the terrier mixes are very bonded. The other two get along, but their bond is not as strong as the other two. It’s so interesting watching their behavior.
I know, when I had two shihtzu mixes they were completely bonded but one died in April. Now I have a thirteen year old shihtzu/chihuaha and a mini dachshund, they just about tolerate each other! Its fascinating to watch the dynamics. Thanks so much for all your comments, really appreciate it (and show your dad what you wrote about him hun) xx
Adoption is my addiction! ❤️🐶
Absolutely! rescue all the way.
Well, we currently have 3 cats ages 5, 3, and 2, and 1 adult dog plus 1 puppy. I feel done right now!!! I think it’s the cats that are doing it for me though. They hate having become indoor-only cats since we moved away from the rural area we lived and have become super needy.
I could totally handle adding another rescue dog to the mix, but the cats are intense and NOW my wife went and promised my 8yo guinea pigs when we move into our new house in 2 weeks. She swears we talked about it, but I don’t remember that convo!
I love guinea pigs, there really isn’t an animal I wouldn’t enjoy having around, but that is above and beyond what I am willing to take on. Wife promised she would be on full guinea pig duty when daughter is with her father, so I guess all I have to do with them is cuddle.
Wow, thats one busy household you’ve got there! I hope the cats settle for you soon. I’m sure just one cute guinea pig won’t make any difference lol. and like you say they’re great to cuddle. Good luck with the house move.
I have 5. All rescues. It can get pretty expensive and my home is a bit of a mad house most of the time. Still, I love them more than I do most people, and wouldn’t change things. Oh, except maybe a farm and plenty of money so that I could adopt more.
You sound just like me, I have it all planned, just need the lottery numbers to come up! (I also prefer dogs to humans)
We have two dogs. We used to have more before the kids were grown (max was five, which was one too many for me). Two seems to be the perfect number for us. My husband is the German Shepherd’s special person, and our border collie always checks on me first. And I don’t run out of hands when they both mob me as I open the car door coming home. 🙂
I agree , two is the perfect number. They can be so time consuming. We added a rescue when we weren’t planning to, that put us up to three but unfortunately one passed away in April. Now it’s really quiet but at least there is room for me on the sofa!
I love this post. 😉 I totally think that dogs are addicting! We have two and I keep talking about getting another. They are such a huge responsibility, but gosh I love them all so much! <3 I love your photo too…
Thank you so much, they are really special.
I love sweet dogs. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the day. PS: Thanks for following my blog. I am following yours.
Thank you too!
Great post, thank you – Yes, I have set the limit at 2 – but there will always be dogs in my life – so maybe they are addictive but in the best possible way
I agree! Thank you for the lovely comment.
I have 2 dogs. Both rescue, i big 1 small. My best friend has 3 dogs & we look after each others dog on holidays etc. I find all 5 quite a handfull!
I know, when I have had 5 to stay I’ve found it hard work. It does depend on the dog though, some are less trouble than others. My rescue dog is always up to mischief! Thanks for dropping by, I haven’t forgotten your book btw its close to the top of the list now.