Are Dogs Addictive?

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.