So I’ve been thinking of getting a dog.
Specifically, a chihuahua, or a chihuahua mix. A girl on my soccer team has one, and it is so adorable. They’re small, and so one could easily live in my apartment. They don’t like lots of people so they’re good for people who live alone. They’re very loyal and attached to their owners.
However, I don’t commit to things easily. I worry about getting something, especially a living something, that will be with me for 15+ years. I worry that this “I want a dog” thing is too impulsive. And of course the largest potential problems is that I have a very active life outside of work, and go out of town fairly regularly. However, this doesn’t seem to be a problem for any of my other active friends with dogs.
Comments welcome. Perhaps this weekend I’ll check out the local shelters.
Just make sure you have a dogless friend willing to watch Spot. There’s always Becca if you aren’t travelling together. Are you sure you want a little dog? Medium size dogs are more huggable! You couldn’t run with a little dog; even hiking would be a stretch.
But I totally know what you mean about the commitment thing. My biggest worry would be, what if I didn’t like my dog after I got it? What if I didn’t like it as much as other dogs? All dogs are not created equal. Some definitely have more personality that others.
Well, living in an apartment means I am not going to be able to get a dog big enough that I could run with it. With a small dog, I figure I could *carry* it if we go hiking or something. 🙂
I don’t think many people say they don’t like their dog. Its too easy to get attached when you are always taking care of it.
As for dog care, you just joing the South Shore “pool” of our house, the Mendecks, and Jo… as long as you don’t mind taking your turn watching all of the dogs (6!!) neither do we 🙂
See if they have a rental dog program near by. They have these in places where they have inmate service-dog training facilities. Basically the dogs need to be socialized and usually you can “rent” a dog for the weekend if you promise to take it out with you. Of course service dogs are usually bigger than a chihuahua.
well, if you are looking to “try out” there are a number of local foster groups that you can sign up with and take a small dog from. the problem with fostering is that you get a lot of work for the return (getting your dog adjusted to your rules/house/lifestyle is a lot of work, only to give them away a week later and start again with another).
dude, i will so totally dogsit your little cheech dog. it will be hilarious watching it beat up on bandit!!
you should really ask yourself why you want a dog. Is is something you’ve wanted for years, but never have been in the right place? then you should get a dog. If it is just something you want becuase you are bored or becuase other people have them and they seem cute, then that might not be a great reason.
The dog you decribe, i would be surprised, especially in texas, if you could find it in a shelter. They are $500 dogs full bred. most people don’t give those type of dogs to shelters.
Don’t get a chihuahua… boo! There are tons of other small dogs which can live in apartments just fine. Of course you can’t get a lab or something but you could get a beagle or a wishbone dog.
Yeah, but here’s the thing — I was never one of those kids that was like “I want a dog, I want a dog!!” I haven’t wanted a dog for years and years, but I’ve also never been in a position where having one would really be feasible until recently. So how long am I supposed to want one before I know that I really *do* want one?
Katie, what’s wrong with chihuahuas?
Getting a dog at a shelter is something you should strongly consider. That is definitely what I would do if I were to get a dog. I’ve heard a lot of good things about mutts over purebreds. (More healthy, less moody, etc.)
Re Christina’s comment, I never really paid attention to dogs before Pen*ske, and now I can hardly imagine living without the silly pup.
I am definitely going to look at the shelters, but I am also going to look in the classifieds and at breeders. I understand and agree with the reasons for getting dogs from shelters and if I find one I like, will certainly do that. However, I reserve the right to be picky.
I am willing to pay for a dog. I am *not* willing to pay an absurd amount of money for a dog. I’m not going to say what my “reasonable” and “absurd” amounts are because I don’t want to risk being berated. But yes, I am going to look at all the local shelters.
Check out http://www.petfinder.com
Search “small” (and “female” if you want). There are a number of rescue groups that have chi and mixes. In a lot of places, this wouldn’t be possible, but Houston has a HUGE homeless pet problem, meaning there’s a variety, even close to purebreads, and most shelters.
You’ll have to teach him Spanish!