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I grew up with a boat load of animals. Horses, dogs and cats, chickens, ducks, pheasants, peacocks, goats and Guinea pigs. I loved all of my animals. Of course now as an adult, living in the city, there really is no way I could have my own little private zoo like I used to. I don't have any pets at the moment.
I thought animalcrazy's post was right-on. Many retirees cant afford to go on vacation 25%-35% of the year. Please dont judge others by yourself.
Seriously! I traveled a bunch with pets - had great neighbors who took care of the hoard. I AM retired and haven't been anywhere in 7 years now. Can certainly afford it but I go through "spells". Pets generally do not keep me from traveling except for now with my bedridden Doberman who requires constant attention. But hey - he has given ME, 15 years of love and devotion and if I have to sit home a couple of years to take care of him in his last years - it is an honour.
So as I've said previously, we are all different and some of us can have pets AND travel IF we so choose.
My goldens both were very people oriented and loving. But they know when someone is out of place.
However? Their bark was HUGE. And the growling sounds like an attack dog.
We do have a security system - but intruders will hear them from the street if they ever try to burglarize our home.
My two shepard mixes listen and tell me if someone is near. The male is very specific. He has his own bark for 'stranger' and points. He has to be able to look out the door to make sure its gone. But if they hear noises and people both go off in mad not on my lawn barks. You can hear it outside the door. And the beagle gets excited and the bark turns into a howl.
I'm not worried about someone scouting out the house to see if there's anything to steal.
My male also is cat monitor. If they are up to something naughty, he stares at them and has a special bark just for that. And seeing a cat of maybe three pounds come up to this big dog and rub him and him give him little gently kisses is amazing. I have a picture of by big boy sleeping on the bed with two of the littles (cats who just never grew much) asleep on his back.
When I was in California and there were breakins along the street, the cops said the best deterrat was a dog. My sheltie ate the couch cushions and the terrier helped so when not home they stayed in the bathroom by the door. One person tried to get the door open, but it was thick wood. I'm more inclined to wondering if the constant and increasing noise made him pick someone else.
No more dogs; no more cats. Before I retired, I was busy with my job, my home, my kids, and the theater. Sometimes, I only spent five or six hours out of the day at home and those were spent sleeping. My last dog was gone in '75 and the last cat was in '85. The boys were getting older and involved in sports so they weren't home a lot and there just was no time for taking care of animals.
After retirement, I was still active in the theater and there were some crazy hours there. The boys were married and gone and I didn't think it fair to an animal to have me as their owner.
Currently, I have a hermit crab. I had two, but Herman died so I just have Little Boy. He doesn't say much but if the neighbors hear me talking to myself, I can always say I was talking to the crab. And I don't have to take him for a walk.
FTR: I don't dislike critters. It's just that I have all I can do to take care of me.
I couldn't agree more with your feeling(s) about having a 'pet' in your everyday life
I'm in my 84th year and have had one or more pets since the age of 5. Mostly dogs, except in 1978 we (my late wife & I) adopted a very sweet cat from the local Humane Shelter that got along very well with our German Shepard and Labrador. In early 1980 we permanently moved from CO to MT and naturally the pets came with us.
The cat lasted about two months-------A Golden Eagle got him one Saturday morning while I was outside with the him. We decided not to get another since we were both working and the two dogs ....(that stayed in their outside dog-run during the day)...were just right: the Shepard was devoted to my wife and the Lab was my hunting 'partner'!
On another subject:...........................
I'm thinking of spending some of next winter in the Sedona/Cottonwood/Verde Valley area.
A friend of mine suggested I look into a B & B operation by the name of:...:"Luna Vista",.... which is outside of Camp Verde in the Verde Valley on Beaver Creek.................Do you know anything about this B & B?
Thanks in advance for any info.
Oh yeah, if I end up in that Verde Valley area say for Feb & March, how great is the risk of my dog running into a Rattle Snake if I am exercising him out in the boonies. I am familiar with the subject of having a dog "Snake-Broke" and Snake Vaccines.
Thanks again.
I lost a cat to a coyote once. Broke my heart and I've had a strong dislike for coyotes ever since.
I had never heard of Luna Vista till you mentioned it but Googled it and it sounds really nice. Sedona "quality" for sure. Only thing I saw that would stop me is that pets are not allowed indoors and are required to stay in their 'pet runs' which also cost extra.
As for the snakes...it's been a good many years since I've seen one but you might run into them in the boonies. Although I would think during the cooler months they'd be pretty scarce. I've only seen them during the warm months and only in the foothills. Guess I'll have to Google that too! You've got me curious now.
I want a pet about as much as cancer. We've had a couple in the last few years, and they became nothing but a pain in the butt. I've got much better things to do with my time, and in fact, they get in the way of me being able to do other things.
Location: Approximately 50 miles from Missoula MT/38 yrs full time after 4 yrs part time
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Reasons for owning a Pet....................
According to the Web Site: WebMD, owning a pet (especially in your senior years ) can improve your health IN 27 Different ways.
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Reasons for owning a Pet....................
