Just had to say no!

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10 March 2009
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Been offered a cocker spaniel bitch, 2 and a half. Owner now pregnant and doesnt want the dog. Makes me so angry.Poor thing is with a temporary home but they dont want to keep her. I very nearly said yes then put my sensible head on, but cant stop thinking about her. If things were different I would have said yes like a shot, but I know I wouldnt be up to the exercise she would need and wouldnt be fair if she had to be rehomed again in the near future. If I sleep on it Im scared I will relent ! Please send NO NO NO vibes overnight so I will absorb subliminally
 
CT. In my heart I was, but in my head I wasnt ! If she had been an older dog I might have gone with my heart.
Im doing two half hour walks at the mo with 11 year old cocker and find thats enough for me, although she could still do more and is very restless indoors. Ive only got a tiny garden so no exercise room there . I could curse my friend for telling me about her ! Hes the one that was supposed to talk me out of the spaniel Ive got now - epic fail.

Having such withdrawal symptoms as Ive never only had one animal, Ive seriously been considering a hamster today:rolleyes:
 
It is very hard to be sensible when your heart is shouting out to just go for it. I am the same over the working line GSD I recently posted about on here. I know in some respects he would fit in so well, but I also know I am not in the market for a third dog at the moment and if he weren't to slot straight in, it could mean headache and stress so I am still sitting on my hands.

You only have one though, so think you definitely need an even number :p
 
I'm going to be boring, and sensible, and say that if your current 11 years old Cocker is okay with the current amount of exercise, but also wouldn't mind a bit more than you're able to do, then a much younger Cocker is probably not a good idea.
What would you do of you did get her, and she started climbing on the walls?

However, what in the world stopped you from getting a hamster? They're very cute, and usually very good at exercising themselves.

If you want something more cuddly than a hamster, have you considered getting Guinea Pigs?
(Picture found on Pinterest)
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CT. In my heart I was, but in my head I wasnt ! If she had been an older dog I might have gone with my heart.
Im doing two half hour walks at the mo with 11 year old cocker and find thats enough for me, although she could still do more and is very restless indoors. Ive only got a tiny garden so no exercise room there . I could curse my friend for telling me about her ! Hes the one that was supposed to talk me out of the spaniel Ive got now - epic fail.

Having such withdrawal symptoms as Ive never only had one animal, Ive seriously been considering a hamster today:rolleyes:

Maybe have a look at saddlepsych’s enrichment thread if the current dog needs more stimulation. Having to keep Mitch quiet means I’m getting inventive with carrot peelings!
 
FH I used to have guinea pigs but found myself on a never ending cycle of having to get another one when one died because they dont like being the only one ! Saw a cute syrian hamster when I collected dog food and they are solitary . Trouble is if I have any sort of pet they have to have the biggest cage/run I can find and Ive not got a lot of space indoors out of dogs reach ! The last hamster managed to get out of his cage and was found floating in the downstairs loo, how the hell he managed to get up onto that Ill never know. He used to climb up the curtains and fling himself off the rail !
 
Sensible decision! Just think of it this way. Cocker spaniels are a popular breed and two year old dogs are often in high demand as they are past the difficult puppy stage yet still have plenty of years left in them. Unless there is something wrong with the dog that hasn't been mentioned, then chances are it will find another home quite easily, hopefully with someone who can give it all the exercise and stimulation it requires.
 
FH I used to have guinea pigs but found myself on a never ending cycle of having to get another one when one died because they dont like being the only one ! Saw a cute syrian hamster when I collected dog food and they are solitary . Trouble is if I have any sort of pet they have to have the biggest cage/run I can find and Ive not got a lot of space indoors out of dogs reach ! The last hamster managed to get out of his cage and was found floating in the downstairs loo, how the hell he managed to get up onto that Ill never know. He used to climb up the curtains and fling himself off the rail !
Hamsters might have a death wish equal to that of sheep and ponies tbh. When I was a child we had one that would end up in the washing basket 3 times a week and only for my mum knowing her bad habit could have ended up on a 40C spin cycle very easily.
 
FH I used to have guinea pigs but found myself on a never ending cycle of having to get another one when one died because they dont like being the only one ! Saw a cute syrian hamster when I collected dog food and they are solitary . Trouble is if I have any sort of pet they have to have the biggest cage/run I can find and Ive not got a lot of space indoors out of dogs reach ! The last hamster managed to get out of his cage and was found floating in the downstairs loo, how the hell he managed to get up onto that Ill never know. He used to climb up the curtains and fling himself off the rail !

I love my pigs with all of my heart, I really do, but oh my god the cycle is devastating. I was so devastated when Attila died I went out and got two baby sows to keep Arkle Pig company in the vague hope they grow old together.

Syrian hamsters love to just randomly die on you in my experience. Never again.
 
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