Olly Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Anyone read about this? I'm (almost) speechless. What about the poor dogs, who will have to keep moving around. What's the betting they get fed 'treats' by everyone. And what is the point in having a pet if you don't have them through good times and bad, thick and thin (for both of you). I am going to offer my chickens on loan. £5 a day for two friendly chickens, they will weed your garden, remove any slugs or snails, fertilise your lawn and if you're lucky they might lay an egg too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I know a couple who split up. They didn't have any children but they did have a dog which they both wanted to keep So they now have shared custody of said dog, and it seems to work quite well, but they were both known to the dog in the first place. Dogs are pack animals and do best when they live in a known pack, they like to know where they stand in the pack (pecking order ) I think a dog that is constantly living in new pack conditions would end up pretty disturbed Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Doesn't seem right does it... what would people feel if they had to change home all the time and keep getting used to new people and places for short time? Why put an animal through it?? Having a pet is about having a relationship with another living being, getting attached to it, wanting to keep it... Surely if someone wants to know what it's like to have a dog, they can offer to dogsit a friend's dog for a short while... Whatever next? kids and husband for hire?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I think it's actually a great idea! It gives people who don't have the time or space to own a dog full time, a chance to exercise and spend time with a dog of their choice at a time that fits in to their lives. Think about the amount of dogs probably locked up in london flat owners rooms all day. I would say that is more cruel than taking dogs out for walks. It could also be a good way of trialing which dog is suitable for you (if any). Not all dogs are right for all owners so it would be good to get experience with different breeds. And sometimes owners want a dog, but when they get a dog they realise they don't actually want a dog, hence the problem of so many rescued dogs. The main problem is that it won't fully solve the problem due to the cost of hiring the dogs. It will only appeal to a limited amount of people with lots of excess income to spend. The only thing that would bother me is if these dogs aren't well cared for in between walks... Do they go home with a nice stable foster family or do they get shut in cages until the next paying customer comes along? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanie Bean Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I think this is really alarming, whos to say the next step wont be trial a child . To be a pet owner takes dedication and of course space and cost. Those poor dogs wont know if they are coming or going. I totally agree with one of the comments made, if people want experience with dogs then there are plenty of other ways, namely help out at a dogs rescue home. I cant see this as much more than another way for someone to earn money rather than getting a job. If they truley loved these animals then they would never consider this a good option. These people should think of the animals first and their pockets second. sarah.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 whos to say the next step wont be trial a child Who's to say that this would be a bad idea? There are so many irresponsible single teenage parents out there that think they are ready to look after a child and get a council house, before they have even lived their own childhoods! Perhaps the supervised loan of a child for a day would be enough to put off some young people, so that they realise that having a child is a huge responsibility and get them to stop thinking about themselves and start planning for a safe and secure future for their potential family... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 These people should think of the animals first and their pockets second. I agree with you 100% on this which is why I said: The only thing that would bother me is if these dogs aren't well cared for in between walks... Do they go home with a nice stable foster family or do they get shut in cages until the next paying customer comes along? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 It could also be argued that keeping dogs purely as a household pet is selfish and cruel. Bearing in mind that the majority of all dogs (if not all) were bred for a specific purpose. They have a working background of some description and get a huge amount of satisfaction from knowing that they are performing well in their task and living fulfilled lives within a pack environment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanie Bean Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Admittedly I would sometimes quite happily lend mine out for a while . Oh for some peace and quiet Sarah.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I can see what they are trying to do with this one, and I can see that people may want to "trial" having a dog. I do fundamentally disagree with the actual scheme though. I've read the comments on the newspaper's website and agree that if people really want to spend time with dogs, volunteer at a dogs home (for free) as a walker. My greyhound came from a rescue home, and the dogs were only exercised for 5 mins a day, as there just wasn't any more time available from the volunteers. Dogs need consistent handling/ training/ boundaries and I wouldn't want my child to be "nose to nose" with a dog subjected to these varied influences. I don't believe it's fair on the dog. Much better to help out with a charity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ana's flock Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Whatever next? kids and husband for hire?? Greyish hair, green eyes, 5 foot 10 middle aged husband. GSOH. Likes wine, pure malt, watching films and changing place of things that 'I could swear I put here'. As part of the pack 6 and 10 year old male children, talk hind leg of small equine given have a chance. Addicted to playstation, StarWars and anything witchy. On offer now for a good price. Interested? please contact asap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Someone once Freecycled their OH and kids - it was brilliantly worded! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I think it's actually a great idea!It gives people who don't have the time or space to own a dog full time, a chance to exercise and spend time with a dog of their choice at a time that fits in to their lives. It should be about what is best for the animals, not the potential part time owners. I think it is an appalling idea and a total recipe for disaster. One day a dog who has been completely messed up by this will turn and snap at someone and all hell will be let loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keanie Bean Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Someone once Freecycled their OH and kids - it was brilliantly worded! Oh please dont get me thinking. sarah.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Great for the "owners" but what about the poor dogs? Dogs form very strong attachments to their owners who form part of their "pack". How confusing (and upsetting) for a dog to be passed from one "pack" to another to another with no clear idea of who its real owner is . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...