Kennel all day?

[Nancy Sunderland]

Hi, I have a topic to bring up that I'm afraid might touch a few nerves, but I would like to have some feedback and friendly discussion nonetheless. When I started telling people we were getting an ALD puppy, half of the people were rude and judgmental--saying, "What are you thinking? Are you crazy?" referring to two things; the cost ($2500 + shipping) and to the work involved (I have 4 young daughters and two other big labs). Many told me horror stories about their most recent puppy experiences, and all the things that got ruined; carpet, shoes, furniture, etc., One young couple in particular, (DINKS--dual income, no kids), had a golden retriever puppy that was a disaster behaviorally and property-destruction wise for about 7 months. BUT the dog is in a kennel 9+ hours a day...

Ok, here it comes.... I personnally don't think it's fair to get a dog, then put it in a kennel all day; M-F. I would tear s*#@ up too if I was cooped up so much. I'm a stay at home mom, (I have a BS Business degree with a minor in human development & family studies, but chose to stay home after a few failed attempts at part time work. I finally discovered that God and my family were calling me home--but that;s another topic), and I am interacting with my dogs all day long. For example, when I'm pushing the kids in the swings, I am usually also brushing the labs with the undercoat rake, or curry comb. When I take a walk, I look like a dog walker with my double stroller. But it's fun, for me, my kids, and my dogs.

I'm going to try really hard not to sound judgmental here, but I'm going to apologize in advance if it comes across that way; I don't understand why people get dogs that they don't have time for? I just read over the re-homing discussion about helping members who might be on the fence, and it got me thinking about this issue. I'm really not trying to upset anyone, I know everyone has their own circumstances, I just wanted to put my two cents out there. Please don't get mad at me and post angry comments, (I WILL cry...)

I hope that my post has been tactful and non-judgmental, as that was my aim.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Just noticed...RED ROCKET LIPSTICK in this photo!....LMAO!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Thats just one example ...not all dogs would know to do that and most would hide under a bed or something to keep them safe and be overcome by smoke.

[Nancy Sunderland]

I have a confession people....I do own, and have used a toddler leash, but it was more of a harness, LOL. It looks like a little back pack my red-head (Vanessa) loves to wear, and has a detachable padded "leash". My Vanessa.... (she's the one in my current profile pic squeezing, er, I mean hugging Sable) Let me tell you; this, she has givin' me a run for my money... (I often tell people that I could easily raise 6 or 7 children, because the energy it consumes raising Vanessa is equivalent to raising three children.) She's strong willed, spirited, precocious, wild, whatever you want to call it, oh and she's BEAUTIFUL! Everywhere we go people stop us and comment on her...Anyway, she's a handful and a half, and in busy public places, this is my safest alternative. Hun, what d'ya know, maybe they are comparable....

[Adina P]

I have to admit, Nancy, that after 3 years with JUST dogs...when I see little kids running around out of control...my first thought is "why doesn't their owner have them on leash?" I can't help it but I imagine I'll have one of those little kiddie harnesses myself. It's so hard to grasp the idea that kids are allowed to run freely...LOL. Why am I buying a crib anyway when I have Rosco's old huge crate???? ;-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Adina, you will not have a kiddie harness, because Clarkina is going to be a perfectly behaved, angelic little goody-two-shoes, just like her mom. :-D

[Adina P]

OHHHH NO. I have NO such hopes. MY prediction is she'll be my complete opposite...a little hellion...LOL. A smarty pants, witty, manipulative of her daddy, flirtatious, daring, outgoing, talkative hellion who I will adore and who will grow up to be an amazing adult! gotta prepare for that or else I might be in trouble.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

In other words, she's going to take after Clark?
LOL

[Adina P]

teehee

[Nancy Sunderland]

Yeah, I was totally against them, until----Vanessa...My husband want to get a teeshirt for her that says, "Don't poke the bear". And I want to see his family tree come to think of it because I'm certain there's a bit of Tasmanian Devil in her, (unfortunately the breeders, uh oh, that's us....had no comment) She used to bang her head on the floor when she didn't get her way as an infant, she's even had wood grain pattern on her forehead before, oh and she also bites things when she's mad, her teeth marks are forever ingrained on our solid oak stairs.... God Bless you if you have a wild one like me, they have larger than life personalities, but big hearts, and ain't nobody ever gonna push that kid around! Ok, I gotta go back to the kitchen and finish my pie, have a good evening all!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Oh I wished I had had a harness for my older daughter. She wandered away from me in a department store the night after the Monday night move of the week was the story of Adam Walsh!! Here I was pregnant with #2 (huge matter of fact) and for half an hour I cannot find my 2 year old!! Needless to say she never let go of my hand again. Wished I had a martingale for her!!

Adina,
those kids you see running around don't have 'parents' - they have 'friends that just happen to have given birth to them'. BIG difference!!

[Karen & Lucy]

IMO, anyone that is keeping a dog in a kennel 9+ hrs/day there is something wrong. These are the people that after awhile you see their dogs in the rescue/rehome lists. Any dog that is cooped up that long is definately going to have soooo much energy stored up that no wonder there would be damage. If this couple does not have an kids, why on earth do they have to keep this puppy in a kennel for that length of time???? Why can they not spend more time with him???? They should of "rethunk" this whole thing out before getting a puppy. Maybe it is good they do not have kids. Sorry, I am a little upset over this. I hope I didn't upset you with my response, didn't mean to.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

You said it Karen. And I am sure Lucy would agree! lol