A Whole Lot More Work Than I Thought It Would Be!
By hofferp
@hofferp (4734)
United States
April 5, 2010 9:36pm CST
Yesterday, my Mom went in to the hospital and I decided it would be easier to bring her dog to my house than to run back and forth (30 minutes one way) from house to house checking on Mom's dog. The first thing Shikari (Mom's dog) did was take off for home, when I accidently left the gate open. I got a half mile walk out of the deal, because Shikari wouldn't stop. Even the neighbor helped me chase her down. Since then, I've found out she can fit (she's only 10 pounds) between the slats on the gates. So what I thought would be easier has turned in to a constant "Shikari watch". Have you ever volunteered to dog sit, only to find out it's a whole lot more than you bargained for?
2 people like this
5 responses
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
9 Apr 10
Lol oh yes I have
It was a Great Dane, now I am only 5" foot and a bit, this Great Dane was bigger then me when she stood on her hind Legs, well she used to love jumping up when you went to feed her, no matter what I did every time I went to feed she would knock me on my Butt lol I am sure it became a Game to her
@candyfairy21 (2039)
• Philippines
13 Apr 10
seems like you two are not fit for a wrestling/chasing match with your pooches. Good thing I bought a jack russell terrier and I am taller than she is lol. But goodness she is getting smart with me! Today she learned how to climbed the stairs into my room! It was a proud moment for me that she learned that on her own because she was afraid to climb the stairs at first. However, now I cannot have a quiet space because if I close the door she will be scratching it and wants to get inside and I have to constantly watch her not to chew the wirings of my pc and I could not do my online jobs on time.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Apr 10
My brother's dog Muffin was an escape artist. She mostly escaped from his yard, but we lost her a few times too. And then there was my father-in-law's dog. He used to jump fences.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
6 Apr 10
We moved into our new (old) house. Fences were down. FIL had arranged to have a temporary fence put up. So I threw the dogs in there, put the cats in a bedroom. Next thing I know somebody's telling me the dogs are running down the street. Luckily they were suckers for cars and got right in. Then the room where the cats were got locked. And it was the only lock in the house that we didn't have a key for. Fun, fun...
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
8 Apr 10
At least you had the old car trick...Shikari just kept going with me waddling after her. If she hadn't stopped to check out the coyote skat, I'd still be chasing her...with my two dogs following me every step I made. Shikari's back home now, with my Mom. They let her out early, because she seemed to be doing really well. Later.
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Apr 10
Sounds like the dogs were getting you ready for a track meet, running and jumping. Shikari is finally settling in; she doesn't try and sneak through the gates. Of course, I'm watching every move she makes too. Looks like I'll have her for a few more days, since they've decided to keep Mom until Friday. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@gewcew23 (8007)
• United States
6 Apr 10
I have never dog sit, but I have had to run after a dog that would not stop. I use to have a weimaraner that if he got out of the fence you might as well get in the car because he was not stopping for nothing. I would have to drive after him until him got tired, then I would walk over to him, and put a leash on him.
@picjim (3002)
• India
6 Apr 10
I'm an owner of a dog and i can tell you its a lot more work than one initially imagines it to be. Normally if the owners train the dog peeing in the house shouldn't be a problem.But i feel in your case since it was never under your control its taking advantage of the situation.I thought it would be easy to bring up a dog when my son wanted one but it requires frequent visits to the vets,shots against rabies etc.brushing and combing the coat,feeding the dog and taking it for walks.I can understand your difficulty especially as you've taken on the dog only to help your mom .Its a difficult job more so as you aren't its owner .
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
6 Apr 10
Shikari's trained, but she has a doggie door she uses at my Mom's. I have three doggie doors to let my two dogs out, and Shikari hasn't figured out how to use them. Besides, now that I know she can slip through the gates, I don't want her using the doggie doors. I just know I can expect an accident tonight... I've had her out three times in the past two hours and she hasn't figured out that I want her to go pee. Maybe one more time tonight and then we'll see what happens. Thanks for your comments. I know dogs can be a lot of work, I always have two or more. It's just taking care of someone else's dog seems to be more trouble.
@dimple27 (31)
• Philippines
6 Apr 10
i actually owned three dogs..and it is very tiring..especially when they get outside without their ties.. it so difficult to catch them..since they are very fast runners..you also have to maintain some vaccines..like rabies and etc..you also have to buy things for their grooming.. like shampoos..soap..some insecticides for their house..and etc..
it really is very difficult..
