Dogs are a great inconvenience. They require a lot of care, shots, walks, food, housing/boarding, waste disposal, vet care, and many more things. If your wife does not want a pet this will be held over your head every time an inconvenience happens, it will be YOUR FAULT. I personally would not travel without my dogs, but that is what is right for me.
It was the biggest heartbreak of my life, that I married a non-pet lover. Bud pretended to like the cat I had at the time, but the truth soon came out. He was raised on a farm and animals had jobs or were food. There were no pets. "Nuisance" animals were dispatched regularly. I had no idea. My folks were both raised on farms but loved all animals. Anyway, it took some 35 years for a little chi/pom puppy named Poquita to turn him around. The first year of her life he made me miserable, threatening to take her to the pound everytime she piddled on the floor or chewed up a tissue and made a mess. Then something happened. I'm not sure, but I think it was because he got home before I did. This tiny dog was so thrilled to see him every day, after being home with the kitty, and I think her welcoming "pommy dance" eventually got to him. Pretty soon, our kids were asking, "Who is this man and what have you done with our father?" They couldn't believe the transformation. It reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France
So true.
Judy & Bud (Judy usually the one talking here)
2004 Pleasure-Way Excel TD
co-pilots, Rosie & Poquita
...so my point was, if you get the right dog, your wife might come around and learn to love it. Sometimes, when non-pet people are around a dog or cat and get to know them, they come to believe that "this" animal is different and unique and not like all those other troublesome creatures in the world. Then, you've got them.
I would suggest finding a small or medium sized, sweet natured dog that is already past the destructive puppy stage and housetrained. Yes, they are out there. Especially with all the foreclosures and owners having to relocate to apartments. The right doggie is waiting. I hope you keep looking. Good luck!
CA POPPY wrote: I would suggest finding a small or medium sized, sweet natured dog that is already past the destructive puppy stage and housetrained. Yes, they are out there.
Yes, they are! Not every adult dog needing a good home is a "problem" dog.
There are families that experience misfortune or significant change and can't keep their pet anymore.
Our Jake was with a family that divorced and couldn't keep him because the house was sold/split and they both moved to apartments where dogs weren't permitted, especially 100 lb dogs. He was very well-behaved when he moved in, although a bit shy of some circumstances.
Recently we fostered a wonderful little Shiba Inu. He was a very good dog whose family was rarely home and wanted their dog to be happier with a family that would be there to share time.
Both Jake and Max were adult boys, around 4 years of age when they needed new homes.
alpenliter wrote: And when I say inconveniences, I mean day trips where they have to be left behind, etc....How many day trips would you be taking? Where and what time of year? I would plan my day trips in the spring or fall and take my dog with me in the pickup or car. Put them in a crate, take water in a plastic bowl with a top, food or snacks and leash. Go back to the vehicle to check on them several times during the day and for potty breaks. Just make sure you plan your trip on a day when the temp isn't too hot or cold. You can make most situations work for both you and the dog if you do a little planning ahead. You know the saying, "Where there's a will, there's a way". Most older dogs will sleep most of the day anyway. I feel more comfortable when I have them with me, then I know they are not barking and bothering the folks at the campground.
As a professional dog trainer and K9 handler I can tell you this.
IF YOU GET A DOG AND YOUR OTHER HALF STILL DOES NOT WANT IT. YOUR DOG WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES. By this I mean inconsistency in daily commands, attention etc. How about a parrot?
Since your wife does love dogs you would probably best just wait. When you start RVing and you will meet lots of people with lots of dogs and she just may start to think it isn't such a bad thing after all.
Of course you will in this time be dropping little subtle hints here and there about your love and need for a little dog. But be very subtle.....
Eventually she may have the bright idea that you two need a little dog, brilliant, you hem and haw and finally give in.
You never know, stranger things have happened and when someone loves dogs, they always love dogs and at some point feel the need to have one.
Well i'm not one for pushing a dog on people, but even though I dont have your typical guard dog, they are excellent "watch dogs" and I feel a lot safer with them around. No one would come inside our MH and them not notice it....no one! So this could be one point to show her. just a thought.
2007 Country Coach Magna aka Maggie
2004 Honda Pilot
Ellie Mae & Dori - Cairn Terriers
mrskti wrote: Well i'm not one for pushing a dog on people, but even though I dont have your typical guard dog, they are excellent "watch dogs" and I feel a lot safer with them around. No one would come inside our MH and them not notice it....no one! So this could be one point to show her. just a thought.
Very good point, I too feel much safer with dogs around.
On edit though I would say that our Pom Zachery would rip those ankles to shreds and our puppy Lucy would probably lick the wounds.
Sher
* This post was
edited 02/12/08 07:44am by sher9570 *
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