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Before Getting A Dog, Make Sure You Read This Guy’s Honest Post About The Struggles Of Owning One
Bringing a pet into your home is a big responsibility. After all, it’s entirely your job to make sure it has everything it needs. Every. Single. Day. Yet some people still get one despite knowing very little about the animal or the effect it can have on their lives. Trying to bring awareness to the problem, professional baseball player Austin Conway took to Facebook to explain what it’s like owning a dog.
“I had seen several posts a few days prior to people looking to [give up] their dogs,” Conway told Bored Panda. “The reasons behind re-homing were things like shedding, potty-training issues, hyperness, not enough space, difficulty finding rental housing, etc. All of which, in my opinion, are foreseeable responsibilities and factors that should be taken into consideration before making the decision to welcome an animal into your family. So, after seeing these, I just had an urge to create my post about my German Shepherd mix Stella in a way to spread the message that a pet is a lifetime choice.”
Conway did such an excellent job of putting everything into words, his post immediately went viral. As of this article, it already has over 437K reactions and 285K shares, and every sensible person should read it before getting a pet.
More info: Facebook
Image credits: Austin Conway
Image credits: Austin Conway
Austin’s concerns are definitely understandable. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), approximately 3.3 million dogs enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. The organization states that the most common reasons why owners rehome their pets are problematic and aggressive behavior, or the animal grew larger than expected, or health issues they couldn’t handle. And while 620,000 of these dogs are reunited with their families and 1.6 million are adopted, roughly 670,000 are euthanized.
Image credits: Austin Conway
Luckily, Austin and Stella’s friendship has been blossoming from the moment they met. “I actually wasn’t planning on choosing any dog the day I went to the shelter,” he said. “I just happened to see a post on my Facebook about a German Shepherd mix litter that had been surrendered to a shelter close to my college. So, being the German Shepherd lover that I am, I drove over just to look, for fun. Which was a big ‘mistake.'”
Image credits: Austin Conway
“I immediately saw Stella and couldn’t put her down. She was the smallest and quietest one of the bunch and looked to be the one getting the least amount of attention. So, I went from not planning on getting a dog at all, to having her claimed and the adoption deposit paid within 1 hour of being there. Was by far the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Image credits: Austin Conway
Austin said Stella is an ‘old soul’ and has been since the moment he adopted her. “She loves walks, but if it’s too long of one, she’s sure to let me know she’s not having it. She’s extremely vocal. It’s one of her best and funniest qualities. She’s needy but in a good way. She always wants to have her paw on someone and hates to be alone. She’s as close to human as I’ve ever seen a dog be. She’s perfect,” the man explained.
Image credits: Austin Conway
One of the things Austin talked about in his post was renting a place with a dog, which is what a lot of pet owners struggle with. This is because some landlords view larger companions as disruptive and likely to cause damage. “It’s difficult but do-able. Many apartments have restrictions on ‘aggressive’ breeds. So, the few times I’ve had to apartment-hunt, my list was always extremely small because I’ve been limited to properties that accept German Shepherds.”
Image credits: Austin Conway
However, he knew he would run into this problem when he adopted the doggo and prepared accordingly. “I’ve always done my due diligence and made sure I found any and all apartments in the cities I’ve lived in that would accept her. And from there, I began looking for the best fit after I was certain Stella was welcome.”
Image credits: Austin Conway
Austin believes that renters with pets and landlords can better their relationships but it would need to begin with shedding the stereotype that comes with breeds such as German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, etc. “Some of the sweetest dogs I’ve been around are dogs that are labeled as an ‘aggressive’ breed,” he said.
Image credits: Austin Conway
“However, I also understand rental properties needing to protect themselves from potential liability involving incidents with tenants and their pets. So, it’s an issue that’s definitely not as simple as being black and white, and until the stereotypes around these breeds are gone, I don’t see it changing anytime soon. Just thankful for the rental properties that do allow these breeds to accommodate for pet owners like myself.”
Image credits: Austin Conway
For those who want to read more on the subject, The Humane Society of the United States provides a comprehensive guide for renters with pets to find housing and resolve issues with landlords.
Image credits: Austin Conway
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What do you think ?
misteriosa 4 years ago
It's called sanity and responsibility, and it is beyond sad that in year 2020 we see those traits as something rare and worthy of praise, instead of maintaining it a standard. Along with morale, ethics, etc.
Jkk 4 years ago
I hope someday people will start to understand this. I had/have two cats, brothers, bless them. The other got cancer. When we were ar the vet and got the diagnosis, the first thing the vet said was ”this will be expensive, so we can just take care of the eutanasia now.” I refused. The cat lived with medication, that we got from another vet, for 3,5 years. Lived to the fullest, roming outside and playing with his brother. My friends were shocked that i spend so much money on the medication. But i truly believe, that his brother lives longer also, because they got to be together for a longer time. The one with the cancer lived to be 14 and his brother is still alive, going on 16. When you take an animal, a member to your family, you take it with all they come with❤️
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ChaiDai 4 years ago
As much as my 2 rescue doggos can be jerks at times, they are my babies. I love them and they bring me joy. I couldn't imagine somebody else raising them!
troufaki13 4 years ago
Why is this a story? Nothing extraordinary here, just a normal, responsible pet owner.
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
Made me cry. I agree completely. Pets are for life. I lose my mind at immoral people posting they need to rehome their dog because their daughter has gone off to college. This dog was there for all their child's joy and heartbreak and they're discarding him.
Nadia Young 4 years ago
Wonderful world (or at least a lot better) it will be when everyone do, think and feel like you do about animals... :). Thank you! _/|\_
We'llSee 4 years ago
This needs to be said, not for those like this man and myself we see it as a given but to so many surrendered dogs everyday in shelters across America and beyond this is not the case. It's heart-breaking to see an animal that loves their owners only to be dropped off and given up. They deserve everything we can give them.
Philip Malchek 4 years ago
When you have to post articles to remind people who want to get pets that there's some responsibility involved other than having a cute animal... Smh.
Lou Lopez 4 years ago
Pro-tip: If you have a large dog, or one considered a "dangerous breed" ("Hi, how are you? Just a pitbull owner) GET YOUR CGC. The AKC will certify your dog a "Good Citizen" which will make everything a little easier. It won't magically undo restrictions, but landlords who are on the fence are much more likely to rent to you when you provide a certificate showing that your dog has passed this particular obedience test.
Night Owl 4 years ago (edited)
That's a very good advice. Thank you. And even if the landlord isn't asking for it, it can be very useful to do an obedience training with your dog
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Erika Jones 4 years ago
Good advice from a responsible pet parent. Also the two of you are adorable.
Cenk Karaferya 4 years ago
It was super difficult owning a dog in a city like London. We had so much hassle from our landlord, then after buying our first apartment we still had major issues, this time with the lease. Was irritating not being able to go into cafes and restaurants. Also extortionate prices for overnight boarding when we had to travel. Did I mention about the mad vet fees? It almost felt like the city was against us taking care of our dog. However, we've never had a second thought regarding our beloved pet. Having said that though it would have been such a better ride if the city was more understanding and helpful instead of being so damn discouraging!
MiniMaus 4 years ago
Toronto is identical to London. No understanding for pets at all.
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Eunice Probert 4 years ago
I blame instagram and facebook, and the like. People think they'll adopt a dog, get lots of view and friends and followers, or whatever. But the dog turns out to be a person in his/her own right and not a perfect, flawless subject for an insta photo. Idiot people. They'd probably be the same with their kids.
Spikey Bunny 4 years ago
Unfortunately, people were dumping pets long before Instagram and Facebook. It's always been a problem. Sadly, stories like these are needed every so often to remind people about our responsibilities as pet owners.
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Alice 4 years ago
I am lucky enough to have two cats, whom I adopted four years ago. Sometimes I would spend my last money on them, during my darkest times they always been there for me. They been purring until I fall asleep or making some funny faces until my smile hurts. Amount of people called me crazy for taking the responsibility... people judging me for cat fluff around the flat... I just don’t care - I made the promise to love them with all my heart and so it is.
Nadine 4 years ago
Get a pet with the same thought as having a child. If one turns out to be more work than you realized, or gets sick, it's yours to deal with. And deal with, with love. So when they are or poop, clean it and move on. We have adopted senior rescue dogs for years. When we took turns sleeping on the couch because one sick girl had to poop constantly, we did. In recent years, we never left the house together EVER, first for a year and a half, then for nine months. No dinners out, no shopping. The sleep deprivation left us in tears. The vet bills were expensive. Family members thought we were crazy. The heartbreak when they left has been more than we can bear. But you got to suck it up and give them everything they deserve. Because they are pure love.
Felicia Dale 4 years ago
Unpopular opinion: This is a wonderful post and this guy is a fantastic dog person BUT Not everyone can make this commitment. They may go into pet ownership with exactly these intentions and still not be able to follow through. For example: a dear friend of mine who has had life-long relationships with at least five cats and three dogs gave up her last dog because, when her husband died in front of the dog while she was away at the grocery store, the dog could not stop looking for her husband. The dog and the husband had a tremendous bond and the dog was inconsolable. That was bad enough for the poor creature, and then my friend had a stroke and had to spend six weeks in the ER and rehab. The dog was taken in by a good friend of hers who also had a dog of the same breed (Shiba Inu) and within a week the inconsolable dog was now the other dog's best friend and basically became her therapy dog. The inconsolable dog was still sad but he wasn't constantly pacing and crying and leaping..
Felicia Dale 4 years ago
...at the door every time he heard a car like his dead master's go up the street. He is now a much happier animal and lives an excellent life with his new dog friend and their human. My friend whose husband died misses him but she is still too grief stricken to even think about taking him back or getting another pet. Instead, she gives her friend money to help support her old dog and donates to local dog rescues. Guilting people into keeping animals when it's wrong for both human and animal is just not kind or useful. Better to support responsible re-homing and especially pre-adoption/purchase education so people don't end up biting off more than they can chew. I don't have pets anymore even though I adore animals because I can't be sure of income or time and energy enough to care for one. So, I dote on my housemate's cat instead, or any other animal I come across who wants affection. There are many ways to love animals responsibly.
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Nicole Holt 4 years ago
I totally agree with his sentiment. At one point in life, my husband and I had 3 kids, 1 dog, and 4 cats. We had to move. My daughter was worried: "What do we do, if our next place doesn't allow pets?" My answer: "Then we'll look for another place. We're not going anywhere without them." There's not even a discussion. Our pets will always be with us until their natural end of life. Now, many years later, we still have 1 of those original 4 cats, and 2 new dogs. One of those dogs is driving me insane...lol..but I'll deal with it :)
nala simba 4 years ago
Hand on heart, my partner and I mourn the loss of a cat with tragedy. Its like losing a vital body part. We love our pets dearly. They always come first in any decision to be made.
Cecilia Garcia 4 years ago
I have had big dogs all my life, Dobermans (my number 2 fav) my german Shepherd #1 and now I have a mix german Shepherd/Belgian malinois. Malinois, my opinion, don't make good house pets, they are psycho ask any cop. Mine gets fixated on my cats, constantly stalks them and chases them to the point of obsession. I was happy with my dachshund, the big dog was my brother's idea, I have my own home but I understand "no pets". They will be with me for life, but if you cannot give them 100% please don't get any pets. Oh and btw dog and cat hair on all your stuff.
Yugan Talovich 4 years ago
Good for Austin! A dog is a bundle of mischief and love; you can't just throw it out when the novelty wears off. Betrayed dogs are in a world of pain! I love dogs. This is why I never got a dog when I lived in the city. Now we live in the mountains, where dogs roam free, outdoors, and can be real dogs, not just pets.
Amparo Rodriguez Bogosian 4 years ago
Feel the same. I have my dear Dali with my bf and finding an apartment that allows pets is a struggle. I can't cook without having an eye on him because the second I'm not looking he's eating the food. We're already awake at 6am because he wants to go out. He has too much energy and wants to play 24/7 and sometimes is really annoying. But I will not move without him because the love is too strong.
D. Pitbull 4 years ago
Oh.. yeah... wow... I feel his pain about the "breed restriction" thing... my old girl (RIP, passed away in 2017) was half pitbull... even getting a "dog daycare" place for her was difficult... and she was *very very docile and sweet*. How often she barked in the 14 years I had her (adopted her when she was 2) I can easily count as 10 times or less. Yet... it wasn't the midnight outings, or the accidents or the shedding... it was the other people that made owning her so hard. Did I budget the vet costs? Sure... did I consider that I'd have to pay for stitches and surgery from attacks **from other dogs which she never fought back** - not really. Did I find the money and pay anyhow AND get her pet insurance? Hell yes. Do I get concerned when people say "Ooh, I'm going to get so-and-so a puppy for christmas!"?? Yeah... I do... do I get pissed when the answer to my question: "Are they prepared to care for a dog" is "Nah, they just kinda like dogs in general". YES.
Rissie 4 years ago
I'm sorry, but this feels like he wants the world to see how great he is for just acting like a normal responsible person? Also. Dogs don't need to go out at every whine. That's learned behavior. They fare well on a schedule that meets both owner and dog. No need to get out in the middle of the night. The story sounds pretentious. Not loving.
Kathy Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
I didn’t see it that way at all. What I saw was someone fed up with reading/hearing about people who basically just throw their pets away when they’re not convenient or easy anymore and wanted to publicly rebuke them for their cruelty and lack of commitment to caring for another living creature. As another commenter wrote, these people would probably be the same about their children—-as we have seen with the mommy bloggers (and their kids who will probably grow up to either be carbon copies of them, or totally hate their guts).
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Shinomi Chan 3 years ago
I always thought of my pets as part of the family. It boggles me that not all people think so. It absolutely infuriates me that people keep leaving poor innocent animals out in the cold, without any chance of survival and just go: "welp. They're wild animals so..." No, they're not. They are family. You wouldn't leave your own sister or brother or parents into a cold, dark forest in the middle of the winter. So you do NOT leave your animals either. You get one, you take care of it, until it's natural life cycle ends. They are partners for life. And they only have YOU.
Amy Grant 3 years ago
I was forced to have a dog, as my bf have one. So I didn't choose to have one. At it can be really annoying I should say. Especially when the owner is not as responsible and caring as they should be , the work and responsibility falls on me. I would not own another dog in the future on my own will. Maybe cats.
Lucinda Hank 4 years ago
I have a doggie 9 going on 10 he will be my last dog ever it's to hard to lose them I lost my last dog to kidney failure didn't want anew one hubby did tho but this will be my last animal ever
Christina Uhlir 4 years ago
Looks like this girl needs an education. Enroll her in obedience school, helps the parents understand their pets' needs as well. - As for damages to property: in many cases, human kids are far worse; the problem are not pets or kids, it's irresponsible parents (guardians). "A dog has a soul of a philosopher." - Plato
Karen Klinck 4 years ago
I need to go to assisted living due to health reasons. I won't. They won't take my fur babies, so I will muddle on as is. This is non-negotiable. My responsibility. Period.
Di Campbell 4 years ago
She's lovely - who could not love her - and she obviously loves you too.
Vanessa Lapato 4 years ago
Obviously a lot of people adopt pets irresponsibly, and everyone should consider carefully whether they're really in a position to get a dog. But I'm not sure I agree that if you make a mistake and get in over your head, you should simply suck it up and take care of it anyway because "you made a commitment". In some cases, the most responsible thing you can do is work diligently to find that dog a loving home where she will get the time, love, attention, and proper care that she needs. I'm not talking about dumping a dog at a shelter or giving her away to the first person who answers an ad. But if you can find her a home where she will be happier and better cared for, why would you NOT do that?
Alusair Alustriel 4 years ago
The amount of love Stella has for Austin is overwhelming. It pours out of every photo. We are really lucky to be able to home animals. I always repeat also: You can have several pets in your life. The pet will have only you thoughout their entire life (hopefully), so make it count. They steal our hearts, break them when passing, but we wouldn't trade anything for them.
Margaret Wells 4 years ago
A dog is for life! You don't get rid of your kids when they play up. Good on him, lots of puppy love x
Cori 4 years ago
It's not just dogs. Even though horse slaughter is illegal here in the US, shipping to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada isn't. Most people don't know this when they go to sell or rehome their horse. I've had my little Arabian for 14 years and I can tell you, keeping a horse on a limited income is not easy. But I would NEVER risk rehoming him no matter how challenging it got because the thought of him crammed onto a slaughter truck on a nonstop trip to Mexico makes me nauseous and panicky. A companion animal is a commitment for life no matter the species.
VogueGal84 4 years ago
I concur! Great post, finally someone said it in a very honest yet positive message. My boyfriend and I only adopt senior rescue dogs, we had five (4 big ones, 1 small) at the same time. Had to made some financial adjustments to be able to find a bigger house and customized backyard to accommodate our fur-kids! Now, unfortunately, we're down to only two. But, we are hoping to adopt more this year, fingers crossed! We may not have human-kids, but our fur-kids are just equally important, if not they mean even more to us. Sending much love to other dogs lovers out there!!!
Isabella Fagan 4 years ago
My dad and I had to put our dog down that I grew up with yesterday. This hurt.
Zelda Blue 4 years ago
Super cute and a dog lover..... I think I'm in love. You can't go wrong with a man who is devoted to his dog.
Louise B 4 years ago
My beautiful dog died a couple of years ago. I would love nothing more than to adopt a new dog, my family doesn't feel quite complete without one and my little boy begs for one every day . However, I have to be practical, right now I couldn't give a dog the life he/she would deserve so I can't justify getting one. One day though...
Katinka Min 4 years ago
She looks like a real character. But someone shopuld tell the guy, that you don't HAVE to do everything the dog wants you to. You can just tell them awayto bugger off.
Clever Dog 4 years ago
It drives me completely insane how people think of dogs like "things" an object to own and get rid of when bored. A dog is part of the family like a child and you wouldn't get rid of your child because they p**s you off would you? If you want ta dog you need to do research, understand the difference between breeds, exercise requirements ( yes they need walking EVERY DAY NO MATTER THE WEATHER) and dog behaviour. better still rescue a dog dont buy but unless your situation has drastically changed like a health issue if you abandon your dog because you get bored, or dont like a behaviour they are exhibiting you are scum. The guy in the post is spot on but I do have to say his dog does several things you shouldn't have to deal with with correct training. My girls would never steal food or wake me up at night because they have manners and thats because I give lots of love and train them every single day.
I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉 4 years ago
You should never walk a dog in extreme heat as it is extremely dangerous and is advised against. Even walking dogs in big downpours and storms can make the dog uncomfortable and distressed.
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Sivi 4 years ago
Dogs have always been apart of my family, either its collies, hunting dogs, newfoundland or belgian shepherd. You would think we would have zero problems in training our current dog, oh god it took her over 3 years accepting on of my cousins and his parents. She is almost 5 and we have no idea what went wrong raising her. Our bonus is that she never runs off when we are up in the mountains during summers.
Batty 4 years ago
This is one of those times where poor spacing gives a sentence a whole new meaning. A part: a piece of. Apart: away from.
Load More Replies... I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉 4 years ago
Whilst I agree mostly sometimes circumstances beyond some peoples control means either rehoming or giving up their beloved pet. You can have the best intentions and make plans that you will pay higher rent but if someone loses their job etc then sometimes that is not possible. You can’t see into the future and know what issues may arise (especially on the current financial climate). We had to have one of our dogs being cared for by my BIL and SIL for 9 months coz we moved in with my dad whilst we were finding other accomodation that allowed pets. My dad had 2 dogs that did NOT get on well with other dogs so likely they would have killed our dog. We missed her terribly but fortunately we had someone that could look after her whilst we found a place, but not everyone is that fortunate. What makes things even harder is the lack of rentals that allow pets and the high demand of people wanting them so it’s a battle to get a pet friendly home.
NeverGoWoke 4 years ago
Seriously? This guy and BP didn't have to make this post - most of this stuff is common sense.
Full Name 4 years ago
It's not though. That's the problem. Everybody wants to be a victim these days and this guys is saying "It's what I signed up for". Good for him. People are full of "Minimum wage isn't enough if you have a family" type nonsense. Can't afford kids? Don't have 'em. Everybody thinks that whatever they themselves can't afford is where the cutoff line should be.
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Spikey Bunny 4 years ago
And... He's saying that even though he wasn't prepared, he's going to everything right by this dog because he made a commitment and plans to see it through... Other people need to honor their commitments too!
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misteriosa 4 years ago
It's called sanity and responsibility, and it is beyond sad that in year 2020 we see those traits as something rare and worthy of praise, instead of maintaining it a standard. Along with morale, ethics, etc.
Jkk 4 years ago
I hope someday people will start to understand this. I had/have two cats, brothers, bless them. The other got cancer. When we were ar the vet and got the diagnosis, the first thing the vet said was ”this will be expensive, so we can just take care of the eutanasia now.” I refused. The cat lived with medication, that we got from another vet, for 3,5 years. Lived to the fullest, roming outside and playing with his brother. My friends were shocked that i spend so much money on the medication. But i truly believe, that his brother lives longer also, because they got to be together for a longer time. The one with the cancer lived to be 14 and his brother is still alive, going on 16. When you take an animal, a member to your family, you take it with all they come with❤️
Load More Replies... ChaiDai 4 years ago
As much as my 2 rescue doggos can be jerks at times, they are my babies. I love them and they bring me joy. I couldn't imagine somebody else raising them!
troufaki13 4 years ago
Why is this a story? Nothing extraordinary here, just a normal, responsible pet owner.
Dorothy Parker 4 years ago
Made me cry. I agree completely. Pets are for life. I lose my mind at immoral people posting they need to rehome their dog because their daughter has gone off to college. This dog was there for all their child's joy and heartbreak and they're discarding him.
Nadia Young 4 years ago
Wonderful world (or at least a lot better) it will be when everyone do, think and feel like you do about animals... :). Thank you! _/|\_
We'llSee 4 years ago
This needs to be said, not for those like this man and myself we see it as a given but to so many surrendered dogs everyday in shelters across America and beyond this is not the case. It's heart-breaking to see an animal that loves their owners only to be dropped off and given up. They deserve everything we can give them.
Philip Malchek 4 years ago
When you have to post articles to remind people who want to get pets that there's some responsibility involved other than having a cute animal... Smh.
Lou Lopez 4 years ago
Pro-tip: If you have a large dog, or one considered a "dangerous breed" ("Hi, how are you? Just a pitbull owner) GET YOUR CGC. The AKC will certify your dog a "Good Citizen" which will make everything a little easier. It won't magically undo restrictions, but landlords who are on the fence are much more likely to rent to you when you provide a certificate showing that your dog has passed this particular obedience test.
Night Owl 4 years ago (edited)
That's a very good advice. Thank you. And even if the landlord isn't asking for it, it can be very useful to do an obedience training with your dog
Load More Replies... Erika Jones 4 years ago
Good advice from a responsible pet parent. Also the two of you are adorable.
Cenk Karaferya 4 years ago
It was super difficult owning a dog in a city like London. We had so much hassle from our landlord, then after buying our first apartment we still had major issues, this time with the lease. Was irritating not being able to go into cafes and restaurants. Also extortionate prices for overnight boarding when we had to travel. Did I mention about the mad vet fees? It almost felt like the city was against us taking care of our dog. However, we've never had a second thought regarding our beloved pet. Having said that though it would have been such a better ride if the city was more understanding and helpful instead of being so damn discouraging!
MiniMaus 4 years ago
Toronto is identical to London. No understanding for pets at all.
Load More Replies... Eunice Probert 4 years ago
I blame instagram and facebook, and the like. People think they'll adopt a dog, get lots of view and friends and followers, or whatever. But the dog turns out to be a person in his/her own right and not a perfect, flawless subject for an insta photo. Idiot people. They'd probably be the same with their kids.
Spikey Bunny 4 years ago
Unfortunately, people were dumping pets long before Instagram and Facebook. It's always been a problem. Sadly, stories like these are needed every so often to remind people about our responsibilities as pet owners.
Load More Replies... Alice 4 years ago
I am lucky enough to have two cats, whom I adopted four years ago. Sometimes I would spend my last money on them, during my darkest times they always been there for me. They been purring until I fall asleep or making some funny faces until my smile hurts. Amount of people called me crazy for taking the responsibility... people judging me for cat fluff around the flat... I just don’t care - I made the promise to love them with all my heart and so it is.
Nadine 4 years ago
Get a pet with the same thought as having a child. If one turns out to be more work than you realized, or gets sick, it's yours to deal with. And deal with, with love. So when they are or poop, clean it and move on. We have adopted senior rescue dogs for years. When we took turns sleeping on the couch because one sick girl had to poop constantly, we did. In recent years, we never left the house together EVER, first for a year and a half, then for nine months. No dinners out, no shopping. The sleep deprivation left us in tears. The vet bills were expensive. Family members thought we were crazy. The heartbreak when they left has been more than we can bear. But you got to suck it up and give them everything they deserve. Because they are pure love.
Felicia Dale 4 years ago
Unpopular opinion: This is a wonderful post and this guy is a fantastic dog person BUT Not everyone can make this commitment. They may go into pet ownership with exactly these intentions and still not be able to follow through. For example: a dear friend of mine who has had life-long relationships with at least five cats and three dogs gave up her last dog because, when her husband died in front of the dog while she was away at the grocery store, the dog could not stop looking for her husband. The dog and the husband had a tremendous bond and the dog was inconsolable. That was bad enough for the poor creature, and then my friend had a stroke and had to spend six weeks in the ER and rehab. The dog was taken in by a good friend of hers who also had a dog of the same breed (Shiba Inu) and within a week the inconsolable dog was now the other dog's best friend and basically became her therapy dog. The inconsolable dog was still sad but he wasn't constantly pacing and crying and leaping..
Felicia Dale 4 years ago
...at the door every time he heard a car like his dead master's go up the street. He is now a much happier animal and lives an excellent life with his new dog friend and their human. My friend whose husband died misses him but she is still too grief stricken to even think about taking him back or getting another pet. Instead, she gives her friend money to help support her old dog and donates to local dog rescues. Guilting people into keeping animals when it's wrong for both human and animal is just not kind or useful. Better to support responsible re-homing and especially pre-adoption/purchase education so people don't end up biting off more than they can chew. I don't have pets anymore even though I adore animals because I can't be sure of income or time and energy enough to care for one. So, I dote on my housemate's cat instead, or any other animal I come across who wants affection. There are many ways to love animals responsibly.
Load More Replies... Nicole Holt 4 years ago
I totally agree with his sentiment. At one point in life, my husband and I had 3 kids, 1 dog, and 4 cats. We had to move. My daughter was worried: "What do we do, if our next place doesn't allow pets?" My answer: "Then we'll look for another place. We're not going anywhere without them." There's not even a discussion. Our pets will always be with us until their natural end of life. Now, many years later, we still have 1 of those original 4 cats, and 2 new dogs. One of those dogs is driving me insane...lol..but I'll deal with it :)
nala simba 4 years ago
Hand on heart, my partner and I mourn the loss of a cat with tragedy. Its like losing a vital body part. We love our pets dearly. They always come first in any decision to be made.
Cecilia Garcia 4 years ago
I have had big dogs all my life, Dobermans (my number 2 fav) my german Shepherd #1 and now I have a mix german Shepherd/Belgian malinois. Malinois, my opinion, don't make good house pets, they are psycho ask any cop. Mine gets fixated on my cats, constantly stalks them and chases them to the point of obsession. I was happy with my dachshund, the big dog was my brother's idea, I have my own home but I understand "no pets". They will be with me for life, but if you cannot give them 100% please don't get any pets. Oh and btw dog and cat hair on all your stuff.
Yugan Talovich 4 years ago
Good for Austin! A dog is a bundle of mischief and love; you can't just throw it out when the novelty wears off. Betrayed dogs are in a world of pain! I love dogs. This is why I never got a dog when I lived in the city. Now we live in the mountains, where dogs roam free, outdoors, and can be real dogs, not just pets.
Amparo Rodriguez Bogosian 4 years ago
Feel the same. I have my dear Dali with my bf and finding an apartment that allows pets is a struggle. I can't cook without having an eye on him because the second I'm not looking he's eating the food. We're already awake at 6am because he wants to go out. He has too much energy and wants to play 24/7 and sometimes is really annoying. But I will not move without him because the love is too strong.
D. Pitbull 4 years ago
Oh.. yeah... wow... I feel his pain about the "breed restriction" thing... my old girl (RIP, passed away in 2017) was half pitbull... even getting a "dog daycare" place for her was difficult... and she was *very very docile and sweet*. How often she barked in the 14 years I had her (adopted her when she was 2) I can easily count as 10 times or less. Yet... it wasn't the midnight outings, or the accidents or the shedding... it was the other people that made owning her so hard. Did I budget the vet costs? Sure... did I consider that I'd have to pay for stitches and surgery from attacks **from other dogs which she never fought back** - not really. Did I find the money and pay anyhow AND get her pet insurance? Hell yes. Do I get concerned when people say "Ooh, I'm going to get so-and-so a puppy for christmas!"?? Yeah... I do... do I get pissed when the answer to my question: "Are they prepared to care for a dog" is "Nah, they just kinda like dogs in general". YES.
Rissie 4 years ago
I'm sorry, but this feels like he wants the world to see how great he is for just acting like a normal responsible person? Also. Dogs don't need to go out at every whine. That's learned behavior. They fare well on a schedule that meets both owner and dog. No need to get out in the middle of the night. The story sounds pretentious. Not loving.
Kathy Baylis 4 years ago (edited)
I didn’t see it that way at all. What I saw was someone fed up with reading/hearing about people who basically just throw their pets away when they’re not convenient or easy anymore and wanted to publicly rebuke them for their cruelty and lack of commitment to caring for another living creature. As another commenter wrote, these people would probably be the same about their children—-as we have seen with the mommy bloggers (and their kids who will probably grow up to either be carbon copies of them, or totally hate their guts).
Load More Replies... Shinomi Chan 3 years ago
I always thought of my pets as part of the family. It boggles me that not all people think so. It absolutely infuriates me that people keep leaving poor innocent animals out in the cold, without any chance of survival and just go: "welp. They're wild animals so..." No, they're not. They are family. You wouldn't leave your own sister or brother or parents into a cold, dark forest in the middle of the winter. So you do NOT leave your animals either. You get one, you take care of it, until it's natural life cycle ends. They are partners for life. And they only have YOU.
Amy Grant 3 years ago
I was forced to have a dog, as my bf have one. So I didn't choose to have one. At it can be really annoying I should say. Especially when the owner is not as responsible and caring as they should be , the work and responsibility falls on me. I would not own another dog in the future on my own will. Maybe cats.
Lucinda Hank 4 years ago
I have a doggie 9 going on 10 he will be my last dog ever it's to hard to lose them I lost my last dog to kidney failure didn't want anew one hubby did tho but this will be my last animal ever
Christina Uhlir 4 years ago
Looks like this girl needs an education. Enroll her in obedience school, helps the parents understand their pets' needs as well. - As for damages to property: in many cases, human kids are far worse; the problem are not pets or kids, it's irresponsible parents (guardians). "A dog has a soul of a philosopher." - Plato
Karen Klinck 4 years ago
I need to go to assisted living due to health reasons. I won't. They won't take my fur babies, so I will muddle on as is. This is non-negotiable. My responsibility. Period.
Di Campbell 4 years ago
She's lovely - who could not love her - and she obviously loves you too.
Vanessa Lapato 4 years ago
Obviously a lot of people adopt pets irresponsibly, and everyone should consider carefully whether they're really in a position to get a dog. But I'm not sure I agree that if you make a mistake and get in over your head, you should simply suck it up and take care of it anyway because "you made a commitment". In some cases, the most responsible thing you can do is work diligently to find that dog a loving home where she will get the time, love, attention, and proper care that she needs. I'm not talking about dumping a dog at a shelter or giving her away to the first person who answers an ad. But if you can find her a home where she will be happier and better cared for, why would you NOT do that?
Alusair Alustriel 4 years ago
The amount of love Stella has for Austin is overwhelming. It pours out of every photo. We are really lucky to be able to home animals. I always repeat also: You can have several pets in your life. The pet will have only you thoughout their entire life (hopefully), so make it count. They steal our hearts, break them when passing, but we wouldn't trade anything for them.
Margaret Wells 4 years ago
A dog is for life! You don't get rid of your kids when they play up. Good on him, lots of puppy love x
Cori 4 years ago
It's not just dogs. Even though horse slaughter is illegal here in the US, shipping to slaughterhouses in Mexico and Canada isn't. Most people don't know this when they go to sell or rehome their horse. I've had my little Arabian for 14 years and I can tell you, keeping a horse on a limited income is not easy. But I would NEVER risk rehoming him no matter how challenging it got because the thought of him crammed onto a slaughter truck on a nonstop trip to Mexico makes me nauseous and panicky. A companion animal is a commitment for life no matter the species.
VogueGal84 4 years ago
I concur! Great post, finally someone said it in a very honest yet positive message. My boyfriend and I only adopt senior rescue dogs, we had five (4 big ones, 1 small) at the same time. Had to made some financial adjustments to be able to find a bigger house and customized backyard to accommodate our fur-kids! Now, unfortunately, we're down to only two. But, we are hoping to adopt more this year, fingers crossed! We may not have human-kids, but our fur-kids are just equally important, if not they mean even more to us. Sending much love to other dogs lovers out there!!!
Isabella Fagan 4 years ago
My dad and I had to put our dog down that I grew up with yesterday. This hurt.
Zelda Blue 4 years ago
Super cute and a dog lover..... I think I'm in love. You can't go wrong with a man who is devoted to his dog.
Louise B 4 years ago
My beautiful dog died a couple of years ago. I would love nothing more than to adopt a new dog, my family doesn't feel quite complete without one and my little boy begs for one every day . However, I have to be practical, right now I couldn't give a dog the life he/she would deserve so I can't justify getting one. One day though...
Katinka Min 4 years ago
She looks like a real character. But someone shopuld tell the guy, that you don't HAVE to do everything the dog wants you to. You can just tell them awayto bugger off.
Clever Dog 4 years ago
It drives me completely insane how people think of dogs like "things" an object to own and get rid of when bored. A dog is part of the family like a child and you wouldn't get rid of your child because they p**s you off would you? If you want ta dog you need to do research, understand the difference between breeds, exercise requirements ( yes they need walking EVERY DAY NO MATTER THE WEATHER) and dog behaviour. better still rescue a dog dont buy but unless your situation has drastically changed like a health issue if you abandon your dog because you get bored, or dont like a behaviour they are exhibiting you are scum. The guy in the post is spot on but I do have to say his dog does several things you shouldn't have to deal with with correct training. My girls would never steal food or wake me up at night because they have manners and thats because I give lots of love and train them every single day.
I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉 4 years ago
You should never walk a dog in extreme heat as it is extremely dangerous and is advised against. Even walking dogs in big downpours and storms can make the dog uncomfortable and distressed.
Load More Replies... Sivi 4 years ago
Dogs have always been apart of my family, either its collies, hunting dogs, newfoundland or belgian shepherd. You would think we would have zero problems in training our current dog, oh god it took her over 3 years accepting on of my cousins and his parents. She is almost 5 and we have no idea what went wrong raising her. Our bonus is that she never runs off when we are up in the mountains during summers.
Batty 4 years ago
This is one of those times where poor spacing gives a sentence a whole new meaning. A part: a piece of. Apart: away from.
Load More Replies... I’m Foxxy and I know it 😉 4 years ago
Whilst I agree mostly sometimes circumstances beyond some peoples control means either rehoming or giving up their beloved pet. You can have the best intentions and make plans that you will pay higher rent but if someone loses their job etc then sometimes that is not possible. You can’t see into the future and know what issues may arise (especially on the current financial climate). We had to have one of our dogs being cared for by my BIL and SIL for 9 months coz we moved in with my dad whilst we were finding other accomodation that allowed pets. My dad had 2 dogs that did NOT get on well with other dogs so likely they would have killed our dog. We missed her terribly but fortunately we had someone that could look after her whilst we found a place, but not everyone is that fortunate. What makes things even harder is the lack of rentals that allow pets and the high demand of people wanting them so it’s a battle to get a pet friendly home.
NeverGoWoke 4 years ago
Seriously? This guy and BP didn't have to make this post - most of this stuff is common sense.
Full Name 4 years ago
It's not though. That's the problem. Everybody wants to be a victim these days and this guys is saying "It's what I signed up for". Good for him. People are full of "Minimum wage isn't enough if you have a family" type nonsense. Can't afford kids? Don't have 'em. Everybody thinks that whatever they themselves can't afford is where the cutoff line should be.
Load More Replies... Spikey Bunny 4 years ago
And... He's saying that even though he wasn't prepared, he's going to everything right by this dog because he made a commitment and plans to see it through... Other people need to honor their commitments too!
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