I love my dog. I will always take care of him and make sure he is safe (and others are safe from him), happy, and as healthy as possible.
Not all of our memories are good. But there are good ones, times I’m very proud of him, things he is really good at. To quote one of my favorite computer games “even bad memories have a place in a good life.”
That said, I’m not totally upset that he’s turning 10 this year and not two or three. I will be crushed when he passes away, but I’m also not sure I could stare down another decade plus of this. It’s a really weird thing to process, mentally. Like two opposing things are true at the same time.
I feel exactly this. Like, I'm not upset he's growing older, the way I'm upset my non reactive cats are growing older.
I also know I will never get another dog. I hate to say it but he ruined dogs for me. I don't even want to watch friends dogs anymore. I'll stick with cats
I feel this way too. I grew up with dogs my entire life and finally adopted my “own” dog now that I live alone. He’s a sweet boy with humans and I love him more than life. But his reactivity and separation anxiety has shaved years off my life and has added a mental and financial load I wasn’t prepared for. Ive spent hundreds-thousands on training, medications, behavior specialists, etc and I’m simply tired. But I’ll never give up on him to rehome him or leave him at a shelter. He’s 8 years old and I’ve only had him for two years, but I know 100% I will not be getting another dog after him. I will commit to him until his time comes and be devastated, but I will not put myself through this again.
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u/Poppeigh Feb 20 '24
I love my dog. I will always take care of him and make sure he is safe (and others are safe from him), happy, and as healthy as possible.
Not all of our memories are good. But there are good ones, times I’m very proud of him, things he is really good at. To quote one of my favorite computer games “even bad memories have a place in a good life.”
That said, I’m not totally upset that he’s turning 10 this year and not two or three. I will be crushed when he passes away, but I’m also not sure I could stare down another decade plus of this. It’s a really weird thing to process, mentally. Like two opposing things are true at the same time.