Should I Wait?

[ColColt]

There are some good comments/suggestions here and I'm very thankful for that. I probably won't get a puppy in that I guess it's just a stigma of mine but to me, a puppy is more suited to a family environment and I'm just an army of one. Not that I wouldn't love to have one as there's nothing more cute than a puppy and you have the opportunity of being able to watch him/her grow and be with you longer. No matter how down I am about anything, to see little girls playing or a puppy just erases all those day to day problems.

I have a large 12x18' deck that may could be ideal place but, it's not covered and I wouldn't want to leave a pet out here in the rain, even with an Igloo type container. It doesn't get all that cold here but I guess I'd rather baby them. I had considered having the deck covered and have sides put up to about three feet with the rest screened in and add a screened type door so they couldn't get out and no varmints (animal or human) could get in. I think that might be more beneficial that a small bathroom all day for 10 hours or so. I think what I really need is a wife to help and enjoy the pet!!

[behinderhereyes]

lol, you don't need to have a family to have a puppy.

[ColColt]

Originally Posted by behinderhereyes

lol, you don't need to have a family to have a puppy.

I know but, it helps if there's someone else to help out...especially when you're not home. It must all be from remembering Father Knows Best and Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, that sort of thing, You know where the Dad smokes a pipe, comes home to his wife who brings him the paper, bedroom slippers, Wally and Beaver, dog...you get the picture. That's the kind of thing that goes through my mind about how it's suppose to be with pets-not the bedroom slippers or paper part! I'd get hung today if I mentioned that lifestyle!!

[Michael Romanos]

Col Colt is right - it is much better for a Corgi to have a family to look after than be a sole owned dog. But all things being equal, every person alone should especially consider having a dog. The owner without a human family needs to go to extra lenghts to ensure their dog gets to socialise with other people as often as it is possible and acceptable. Provisions need to be made for dog care when a sole owner is absent for long periods on a frequent basis.

[Dillydoodle]

oh my goodness, michael, really! I have seen dogs in a "family"enviornment who are more ignored than dogs in a single home setting. I am a bit offended by that comment. Plenty of single people have dogs that lead very fun and exciting lives. And there are a lot of families where mom and dad get the puppy for their kids, the kids get bored with the dog and would rather play video games and watch tv and the dog gets completely ignored. and often are relegated to living in the back yard chained up to a doghouse.

Emilie

[Chip's Mom]

First of all - Welcome. I agree with Emilie. Many studies have been done on single older people owning a pet and the health benefits that are involved. That is why there are therapy dogs. I am curious - how did you manage when you had the little dog that you recently lost? Maybe an adult dog, possibly a rescue would fit into your schedule. If you get an older, couch potato type corgi, they should be fine in the house while you are gone. Just give him/her lots of attention when you are home. Many people manage a pet and work too. There is nothing more grateful then a rescued animal. Probably housebroken and trained.

[ZdogZ]

Is there any way that you could get a doggie door installed?

[ColColt]

I am curious - how did you manage when you had the little dog that you recently lost?

She wasn't my dog, per se, but belonged to my former wife. We shared Katie in that she would bring her to my place and/or I'd go see her where they lived. That's my deck in the avatar where that shot came from. Katie never stayed overnight because Margie hadn't gotten her house trained and I had no fenced in backyard. She knew how I loved her and would bring her down when she could. I could have loved her no less than if she actually lived with me. If it were too long for me between visits, I'd go seen Katie where she lived.

The doggie door would just lead from the deck or backyard into the dining room and with no one at home...well, things could look like a land fill when I got home. Guess I'm just not sure what to do or how to do it at this point.

Katie was sort of like the daughter we never had and that's why we shared her. I never really explained how Katie died. I got a call about two weeks before thanksgiving that something had happened while she was tied to a small tree out front of her house. Margie had left her to play for an hour or so, unsupervised, and when she came out, the leash and collar was there but no Katie. She found her about 60 feet from the tree lying on her side with her left eye protruding and her right one lying on her cheek. She took her to the vet who kept her overnight. He sewed her right eyelid over the one that had come out after inserting it back in the socket. He didn't know how it had happened nor did Margie. We all speculated that she saw some varmint and chased it, getting to the end of the leash and it jerked her back so hard she nearly strangled herself. Two days before Thanksgiving, she had a seizure that lasted about five minutes. The day after thanksgiving she was taken to the vet to have the stitches removed. When he did that, her little eye just fell out and she began having seizures again. They felt it better for her in light of all that may be going on in her head to put her to sleep. I called that day to see how she did at the vet and was told she was gone. You could have knocked me over with a feather and I cried like a baby...denying what I had just heard. Then I denied it had happened. Then I got mad at the vet for not giving her a chance. Many emotions flooded my mind and I began asking in detail just what had happened the day of her accident all over again. That baby was only two and a half years old and didn't deserve whatever happened. I still don't know and that's what still eats away at me. Then, I began to blame my former wife for not being diligent about watching her, although I never said anything. It's been an ongoing problem for me.

I thought I would just bring this up as I didn't mention earlier on what had happened. Here it is January and I still hurt badly.

[corgimom]

ColColt,

I liked Bonnies idea of maybe getting an older rescue(more of a couch potato) dog in that it would not be very active when you are gone.

I am not sure what area you are in, but there are people that are in the Dog walking business and would come to your home during the lunch hour, but you would have to feel comfortable with that.

If you really feel that when you were at work, that you would not be comfortable leaving the dog home most of the day by him or herself, then maybe waiting until retirement would be best.

Oh, and do I dare ask - do you like cats at all ? - they are easier to care for and can make wonderful pets - though some will disagree

[Dillydoodle]

When i couldnt care for a dog as they really are a lot more needy than cats are with respect to their personal care, I did get cats, and they really were wonderful companions. Oh and by the way, when i first got a cat i was not what one would consider a cat person, but i sure became one fast.
Emilie

[glencorgi]

Okay, I've been following this thread taking in all the comments. As one of the few people on this forum who is actively involved in placing dogs into homes, I'll throw in my two cents. In many ways I see a lot of anthromorphosizing of dogs and their needs.

Taking everything into consideration as to what ColColt has to offer and the limitations he sees, I don't see any reason why he couldn't provide a great home for the right dog. I agree a puppy would probably not be the best route, but a middle age or older settled dog - I don't see any problems at all. A doggie door to perhaps a secure lot area would maybe solve your day time dilemma - although not necessarily mandatory. I would place with ColColt, IF I had the right dog. My current crew, well, your landfill description would likely be fitting. Given your location, it just so happens I do have some connections in that area and have been known to make the trip that way myownself. Right now I do know of one female Pembroke in need of a new home in the Knoxville area.

I appreciate the thought and concerns you have about acquiring another dog; but I sincerely think you would be fine.

Debbie

PS: IF you'd like to talk further send me a PM and we can get a little more detailed about some things IF you'd like.

[Jespah]

I agree with Debbie. It sounds like you would make a good owner to a needy dog out there - lot's of dogs deserve someone like you. Maybe a puppy isn't for you, but an older dog could probably manage all day with house training.

And I take offence with Michael's comments about families being better for Corgis than single people. There are good families and bad families and good and bad single people. My dogs have a wonderful life - I have the time and desire to spend with them - even though I live in an apartment, work full time and am on my own. I have lots of friends who have kids and houses - the teenagers drag the poor dogs around the neighbourhood while they are engrossed in a cell phone or IPod. Or the dog is put into the backyard on their own with no company, play or supervision.

I hope that you find a wonderful dog - be it Corgi or not, to share your life ColColt.

[ZdogZ]

The option of a doggie door is wonderful, IF they are housetrained. Zip and Zia both use their door consistently...no accidents during the day (even though I come home for lunch each day). When the weather is nice, you can come home from work and find both of them playing in the backyard.

[Dillydoodle]

I just read back to your last post, colcolt, and see that you edited to tell how your poor little Katie passed, and once again my heart goes out to you - losing a furbaby to an accident at a young age is so devastating. so sorry for your loss...I do know that empty heart feeling when they pass, as I lost my soulmate kitty CLinton two years ago on the 29th of this month and lost my little girl kitty last month on the 19th - Whenever you decide to get another dog, I know you will make a very caring and loving Dad to him or her.

Emilie

[ColColt]

I was finally able to get back on just a little while ago. For some reason I couldn't get the site to load. It would take minutes instead of the usual seconds to get on. I thought perhaps it was a problem with the server so I just waited. At any rate, I can get you now!

I've never been on a forum where there were so many understanding and caring people as what I find here and I thank you all from the depths of my heart. You guys are the best there is...anywhere! Thank you for the time you've spent in reading/responding to my problem and the decisions I'm trying to reconcile within myself.

As for the cats, Linda-I have no problem with cats but, there just not my cup of tea. I like most all animals but, I've always preferred dogs. May be the southern "good ol' boy" in me. My sister had two Siamese cats that tore her furniture and drapes to shreds and she told me they were temperamental in their affection...if indeed they displayed it at all. I can't personally vouch for that as I've never owned them but, I never turned down a soft, purring kitty sitting on my lap.

The concept of a doggie door is fine but, that means they're either in the yard or in the house and if I'm not there, who knows what those little vermin could get into in the house when you're not there. Too, I don't have a fenced in yard out back. It's fenced on two sides by neighbors and I would have to tie in to both sides and "fill in the gaps" at both sides of my house and make at least one gate. Then, it should be secure. I don't know what all that would cost. My first thoughts were to enclose the deck with a roof over it and sides put up with a door. That way, no rain could get to them and the door would prevent them getting out into a currently unfenced yard. Perhaps I should do both but that probably would be several thousand dollars, too. I wish the yard had been fenced when I first bought the house but...I guess I just wouldn't want her to get wet or cold-you know, sort of like keeping a five year old. I know they're animals but, they are also precious pets and I would treat them as such. I'd no more put a pet out in the cold or rain for hours than I would a five year old child. I know a pet could probably take it but, I guess it's just me.

Debbie-Just where is Piedmont Triad? Is that the Raleigh/ Durham area? I grew up in Charlotte but left there in 1974 to take a job here. I go down there periodically to see my sister and will probably be there around April sometime. Thanks for the recommendation! That female Pem sounds interesting and I may get back with you on that.

I hope that you find a wonderful dog - be it Corgi or not, to share your life ColColt.

Thanks for those kind words, Jespah...I'm sure I will.

Whenever you decide to get another dog, I know you will make a very caring and loving Dad to him or her.

I would hope to be, Emilie. No flooding or Alpha rolling in my repertoire!! Katie was precious. I bought her a head stone that weighted about 15 pounds for her grave site. It has her name in large letters at the top and underneath it says, "Our Sweet Little Girl. We Miss You and Love you". It hurt deep placing that where she was but, it was the least I could have done. I had talked with Margie just days before her last trip to the vet and Katie was inside with her because she couldn't see to get around. I asked Margie to put the phone up to her ear and I told her I loved her. Margie said her tail started wagging and she turned around several times...she knew that voice. I can't believe I'm having a hard time just typing this as it was the last time I got to talk with her.

Thanks again everyone and I'll "mull" all this over tonight. I have to get up at 4:30 am so; it's off to bed for me!!