A Dog is for LIFE, not just Christmas

[GSDOWNER]

If you are thinking about getting a puppy this Christmas, please consider the following:

• Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment. The average dog lives for 13 years.
• Dogs aren’t cheap to care for. You should expect to spend around £8,000 over his lifetime.
• Puppies can be extremely hard work for an owner, particularly if there are young children in the house – do you have enough time to spend with young pup?
• Dogs don’t come fully trained. They can cause a lot of damage to your possessions through chewing and accidents. How committed are you to training your dog?
• Christmas is always a very hectic time of year with relatives and friends arriving. This isn’t the best time to introduce your new dog to the house.

Last year the local authorities collected over 105,000 stray and abandoned dogs across the UK in 12 months and destroyed one dog every hour because their owners could not be traced or no homes found for them.

[GSDOWNER]

Do I Go Back Home Today?

When my family first bought me to live within their home. They cuddled and they pampered me and groomed with brush and comb.

They played with me and laughed with me and showered me with toys. I sure do love my family, and all the tiny girls and boys.

The children loved to feed me; and give me special treats. They even let me sleep with them - all cosy in their sheets

I used to go for lovely walks, often several times a day. They even fought to hold my lead, I'm so very proud to say!

These are the things I'll not forget - a cherished memory. for now I'm in a shelter, bereft of family.

They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe. But I didn't know the difference between the old one and the new

The kids and I would grab a rag, and for hours we played tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed that bedroom rug.

They said that I had lost control and would have to live outside. I didn't really understand this, though I really really tried!

The walks they stopped one by one; they said they had no time. I wish that I could change things; I wish I knew my crime.

My life became so lonely shackled to a metal chain. I barked and barked continually I thought I'd go insane.

So they took me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why. So they said I'd caused an allergy, then said their last goodbye.

If only I'd had training, as a tiny little pup. I wouldn't have been so hard to live with, when I was all grown up.

You only have one day left", I heard the kennel man say. Does that mean I have a second chance? "Do I go back home today"?

[tazman]

Awwwww and just think for a minute how many christmas puppies end up like this

[GSDOWNER]

Originally Posted by GSDOWNER

If you are thinking about getting a puppy this Christmas, please consider the following:

• Owning a dog is a lifetime commitment. The average dog lives for 13 years.
• Dogs aren’t cheap to care for. You should expect to spend around £8,000 over his lifetime.
• Puppies can be extremely hard work for an owner, particularly if there are young children in the house – do you have enough time to spend with young pup?
• Dogs don’t come fully trained. They can cause a lot of damage to your possessions through chewing and accidents. How committed are you to training your dog?
• Christmas is always a very hectic time of year with relatives and friends arriving. This isn’t the best time to introduce your new dog to the house.

Last year the local authorities collected over 105,000 stray and abandoned dogs across the UK in 12 months and destroyed one dog every hour because their owners could not be traced or no homes found for them.

Reposting this....cos its nearly Christmas again and just realised why I am so much debt...............£8000 in his lifetime, another 2 years and i have probably covered this amount

[wildmoor]

I know what you mean Joane, Alfe has cost so far £2500 in medication in 12mths, hopefully I can wean him off them eventualy unlike your George.
Pam

[GSDOWNER]

Originally Posted by wildmoor

I know what you mean Joane, Alfe has cost so far £2500 in medication in 12mths, hopefully I can wean him off them eventualy unlike your George.
Pam

lol Pam is so sad, but when you read sats like that, its like and the rest, I am scared to even total the amount I have spent on George, I now back in August it was a lot......a scary lot


*kids will be going to work down the pits soon*

[dragonlady1380]

awww i luv that poem. we have been lucky so far with vet bills as memphis has never had a reason to go for an unscheduald visit. but in toys and food and treats, that is where our money goes with her

[LOVEGSD]

loved the poem too....made me sad though! Would rather die than give Diesel away!!!

We have also been lucky so far...we've only spent on routine jabs & check ups and a bit to his muzzle...oh and his x-rays when he had Pano....Dragonlady - I agree with the toys and treats, balls never last too long

[GSDOWNER]

<<Bump>>

[AllyCat]

Aww that poem brought a tear to my eye. I see too many dogs that pay that price.

I am dreading January. Already too many dogs are being shoved out to make room for new cute puppies. Dread to think how many of those puppies will come through my door next year.