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548 Posts
I'm always surprised and a little annoyed when 19 and 20-year-olds (who still live with their parents) come to the forums to ask what type of dog they should get. Of course the dog will be "100% their responsibility." And when you move out, the dog is definitely coming with you. Riiiight.
Unless you're paying the bills right now at your parents' house, you're not even 100% financially responsible for yourself. I'd like to say I'm a pretty responsible person, both financially and socially, but I can't imagine having a dog that was "100% my responsibility" when I was 19 or even 20 for that matter. You're NINETEEN. TEEN. Do you know what having a dog really entails? Food/treats/toys, vet bills (planned and not), walks (even when it's freezing or pouring or excruciatingly hot or you're sick/tired/whatever), obedience... and those are just the major things.
Yes, I'm generalizing. I admit it. And maybe this isn't the case with every single 19- or 20-year-old. There are probably even some 30-year-olds who could potentially fall into my generalization. I admire and appreciate that you want to rescue a dog and do the right thing, but I'm just not sure MOST 19/20's really understand what taking 100% responsibility for a dog really means. It's almost like having a kid. That pup is YOURS. EVERY DAY. For the rest of it's life. Even when you want to go snowboarding for the day or you are sick or want to go visit your friends for the weekend.
I wish there was some trial system where you could borrow someone's dog for a month or so and see what it's like to truly have a dog that is yours.
I'm sure at least one person is going to get on here and tell me it's none of my business when/if someone wants to get a dog, but if you're posting about it on an open forum, it becomes everyone's business. Now, I have to ask...am I the only one who thinks you should wait to get a dog?
Unless you're paying the bills right now at your parents' house, you're not even 100% financially responsible for yourself. I'd like to say I'm a pretty responsible person, both financially and socially, but I can't imagine having a dog that was "100% my responsibility" when I was 19 or even 20 for that matter. You're NINETEEN. TEEN. Do you know what having a dog really entails? Food/treats/toys, vet bills (planned and not), walks (even when it's freezing or pouring or excruciatingly hot or you're sick/tired/whatever), obedience... and those are just the major things.
Yes, I'm generalizing. I admit it. And maybe this isn't the case with every single 19- or 20-year-old. There are probably even some 30-year-olds who could potentially fall into my generalization. I admire and appreciate that you want to rescue a dog and do the right thing, but I'm just not sure MOST 19/20's really understand what taking 100% responsibility for a dog really means. It's almost like having a kid. That pup is YOURS. EVERY DAY. For the rest of it's life. Even when you want to go snowboarding for the day or you are sick or want to go visit your friends for the weekend.
I wish there was some trial system where you could borrow someone's dog for a month or so and see what it's like to truly have a dog that is yours.
I'm sure at least one person is going to get on here and tell me it's none of my business when/if someone wants to get a dog, but if you're posting about it on an open forum, it becomes everyone's business. Now, I have to ask...am I the only one who thinks you should wait to get a dog?