Thinking of getting a dog for exercise motivation! - ThinnerTimes

CeeCee · 02-20-2007, 11:52 AM

I grew up with dogs. I'm allergic too, but not terribly. I also know taking proper care of the dog and the house will limit my allergic reaction. My honey loves dogs, but has never lived with one. Thing is, even before I was quite the size of a Mardi Gras float, exercise never called me. BUT, when I had a dog in the past, I loved walking him or her. Good for me, good for the dog! Oh, and I also plan to liberate one from the local shelter. Am I crazy? We have a small ranch house, modest backyard. My fiance is self-employed, so his schedule is in and out, early and late, all over. I'm on a 9 to 5 kind of schedule at MetLife. So, little doggie would probably not be alone too much. Whaddya think?

Jeanie · 02-20-2007, 03:03 PM

I think anything that is going to help you get out of the house and walk you should do. Not to mention the fact that the dog will have a way better life at your home then he or she will at a shelter. I think if you really want one than you should go for it. I would LOVE to have a dog but I live in a 1 bedroom apt with no yard and that wouldn't be nice to the doggie!

JenBear7 · 02-20-2007, 04:02 PM

I wish I could have a dog! So.. maybe you could get TWO! And walk one for me too!

Gina in NY · 02-20-2007, 06:57 PM

My hubbie is allergic too - we got a Goldendoodle - you can rescue them sometimes too. Poodles and Schnausers are much less allergenic too.

But having a puppy is like having a badly behaved toddler that you can't put diapers on who has sharp teeth. NEVER AGAIN! I'd rather have 4 children than one puppy.

It is a huge, 14 year responsibility. Pain when you leave the house. That said, I love my dog more than any dog I've ever met - He is the BEST. He grew up with my 3 year old and she crawls all over him and he is an angel.

bloomer001 · 02-20-2007, 07:47 PM

I think it a good idea, especially from the shelter. Just take your time and find one that 'fits'. I got my Baxter from a shelter, he was a 9 or 10 year old basset hound. No one is sure because he was a stray. That was in 2001. He is still with me and has been great at motivating me to walk. He loves to go for a nice walk and we are up to about 4 miles a day. 2 in the AM and 2 in the PM. The only problem is when it get really cold, his old bones ache and we don't stay out as long.

Jen

Duckie · 02-20-2007, 10:40 PM

Go for it! I'll borrow my brother's saint bernard puppy and we can go for walks. lol (He's 4 months and already 49 lbs!!

)

SDphotogrl99 · 02-20-2007, 10:44 PM

Well my 2 cents are to get a dog if you want a dog. Get a gym membership if you want to workout. You can always cancel the membership if you stop working out. It will be much harder to cancel a dog.

CeeCee · 02-21-2007, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckie

Go for it! I'll borrow my brother's saint bernard puppy and we can go for walks. lol (He's 4 months and already 49 lbs!!

)

You've become such a little peanut, he'll be taking you for a walk instead of the other way around! Ah, but Spring is coming, it will hit 45 today, and I love the idea of a nice little walk with a leash in one hand- and a baggy for the dog poop in the other! (Never had to worry about that out in the country!)

eyesthatkissu · 02-21-2007, 08:44 AM

I LOVE my doggie! His name is Thrasher and he is 100 pound pure bred Block Head Black Lab. The sweetest thing ever! And he definately gave me motivation for exercise. He started to get a lil chubby! Now he runs with me the whole 4 miles. It was so funny at first when we started... neither one of us could make the whole run we kept having to stop and walk instead. But now we do it together and love it! I say go for it.... if you feel you have the time and comitment there are so many puppies that need good homes!

AlabamaChick · 02-21-2007, 08:54 AM

I Love my Doggies.......all three of them! (they are inside babies) I Love my Doggies! Oh........did I say I love my doggies????????? LOL They are people to me. We just rescued our last one from the pound and he is PRECIOUS! He's a chihauhau mix and is blonde and white. He's my baby. Sleeps by my pillow every night! I don't know what I would do without them. I'd be so lonesome. If y ou have the love and time for a committment, I say go for it. It's hard to find something that makes you feel so good knowing you saved their lil life and think of how much you love hthem when you look at them. If people wouldn't think I was crazy and I had room on my bed for one more, there would be another new addition by now.....but I have to get a grip and stop at 3. lol