For those without a pet, why do you not have one?

@AmbiePam (92864)
United States
March 12, 2008 8:04am CST
I have a dog, Sherlock. For those with no pets, why do you not have one? Are you allergic, do you just not like them? Or do you want one and are saving up to get one?
7 people like this
26 responses
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
12 Mar 08
When we were living in Spain we had two dogs and about 13 finches. We adored our pets. Unfortunately when we decided to move to the Dom Rep we didn't think it would be fair to keep them - the dogs because the journey would have been horrendous and the appartment are isn't the same as having a house with a garden, so they would have felt cramped here. Plus we didn't know if they would get on with the local dogs - and there are hundreds of them. It was a heart-breaking decision and one that neither of us like to think about, we miss them both so much. We may get a stray here and adopt it but we are going to wait some time before we did that. At the moment all we are doing is loving all the other dogs around us! Dogs are for life, they are such wonderful critters. Now I just have a facebook pet or two!
4 people like this
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
12 Mar 08
That must have been so hard to do. I'm sorry!
1 person likes this
• Dominican Republic
12 Mar 08
It really is lonely without them and what has made it worse is that we gave them away to a good home (worked with animals in UK) and after about 5-6 weeks the female (my one) didn't get on and got a little 'pesky' so they asked me my permission to put her down (she had attacked another dog and nearly killed it). Well there were a lot of things I would have liked to have said to those people but what can you do? They say that once a dog tastes blood then 'that's it' you have to put them down. I don't believe in that but as they had his little grandkids coming around I would be mortified if my dog and attacked one of them. It just shows that you can never tell. You give your most precious part of your being (your dog!) to someone and put your trust in them and.... oh I could rant for ages. I have their picture by my computer and look at them every couple of minutes. I love them dearly, so so sad. Don't ever want to have to go through that again!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
12 Mar 08
That is so heartbreaking! And to be so powerless to do something...
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
12 Mar 08
Hi Ambie, My Bunny celebrated her 2nd year birthday last Christmas season. It wasn't my idea to have a bunny but my eldest girl. She fell in love with it when she happened to pass by a pet shop. Bunny may not be everyone's ideal pet but I have come to understand about their nature. They are quiet but watchful. They use their claws and teeth to protect themselves and a very sensitive creature. If given the chance, I would love to have a small dog. Unfortunately, I'm allergic to it.
4 people like this
@Eskimo (2315)
12 Mar 08
What do you mean? I don't need a dog, I've got a very good master who does exactly what I tell him to do, three square meals a day, a nice bone every week, and several walks a day, and if its cold I just curl up beside the fire and snooze. I would recommend that all pets out there get a nice master who will look after them as well as I am.
4 people like this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
12 Mar 08
I wish I could have one but the landlord does not allow pets in the apartment building. If he did I would have a dog.
3 people like this
• United States
12 Mar 08
I love animals! However, I live in an apartment. We are not supposed to have animals here. On top of that my husband is allergic to them. You can get hypo-allergenic dogs and cats, though.
3 people like this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
12 Mar 08
I don't currently have a pet because I am living in an apartment and I am currently not able to care for one. I have time now (which I didn't in the past), but I have limited income and I have not been told that it was allowed. For a while, I did have a beagle in an apartment, and I will never do that again because it was unfair to the dog. If I were ever to have a pet again, I would want to have a proper home where there would be room for it to run around.
3 people like this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
17 Mar 08
I would love to have pets around, but it is a big responsibility and if you are away from home, you have to arrange someone to take care of the pets. I have had several cats during the years, but I want to be free to travel so nowadays I enjoy being friends with other people´s dogs and cats. Please say hello to Sherlock from me!! [i][/i]
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
17 Mar 08
I sure will!
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 08
Lol well as you know I do have one and he is the greatest I have always had a Pet mainly dogs
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
12 Mar 08
Gissi is the best  - Gissi says he is the best and cute and so id Eskimo
Well yes that is so true lol so I will call him my Baby and no Eskimo Gissi says he is the best lol but I say you both are id that fair?
1 person likes this
@Eskimo (2315)
12 Mar 08
I think Gissi will object to being called a pet, he really rules the roost - He's really got you wrapped around his little paws - hasn't he? and he's only the second greatest - I am the greatest. Woof to Gissi.
2 people like this
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
12 Mar 08
Hey Pam well you know I have two cats Maggie and Molly. The little brats. There was a time in my life when I didnt have any pets and I couldnt stand it because it was so lonely. Some people just dont like animals. Or they think their house will be messed up. Or they travel alot.
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Mar 08
HEY! They are not brats, Just spoiled and loved cats. I miss my Spooky whom got ill with kidney and liver failure years ago and had to have him put saway. I would be lost without Buster not to mention my father would be lost even more so. He is so loved. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@laurika (4532)
• United States
12 Mar 08
I wish to have one, but it is just too expensive for us and we can't afford it right now. i think you have to pay in our apartman complex $300 and $50 a month, plus you have to think about food, vetenerian and other few things. But it would be really nice to have one here, but maybe later, when we settle down, so our pet will have home.
2 people like this
• Australia
19 Mar 08
We are working on it. Got a new fish tank so will have fish soon, just had to find somewhere safe to keep it. Right by my side of the bed where I can hear the filter and have a nightlight for reading when the other half is asleep! Got a big bird cage too. Not exactly what I was after, bars are too far apart, but that means I can have a bigger bird than a budgie so not all bad. We aren't allowed to have any furry animals because we are renting, but fish and birds are just as rewarding as a cat, dog, rabbit etc. Oh, and where we live, it is illegal to own a rabbit. I've always wanted a rabbit!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
20 Mar 08
Um, why is it illegal to own a rabbit? Here I can't own a pit bull, but I've heard the same things in other states. Is there an out of control population of rabbits in New Zealand? It seems I heard rabbits once caused Australia a whole lot of trouble. But I could be wrong, I usually am.
1 person likes this
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
12 Mar 08
i loved to have a pet,but there would be no one to take care of the pet.in my home.As i will be spending most of the time outside.
@emiibeth (12)
12 Mar 08
I have always wanted to get a dog, since I was about 5 years old :) This resulted in my parents compromising (they don't want a dog because they think it'll smell), which means I have two fish, and a guinea pig. As much as I love the animals I already have, I have to wait until I move out before I can get a dog, as they show you love! I think dogs are probably the most interesting pets you could have, and I can't wait to get one!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
12 Mar 08
I know it will be worth the wait!
1 person likes this
• Germany
13 Mar 08
We always wanted to have a pet but then we need to wait until the doctor would say that my daugther , who has Neurodemitis -it´s a German term for some reddening of the skin- is already safe and would be allowed to have one. I guess that is just okay for now, once my daughter turns 5, she can decide for herself which pet she likes us to have-- a kitty or a puppy !
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
13 Mar 08
That will be so exciting for her! Which do you think she will choose?
• Germany
13 Mar 08
i guess she would like the puppy. Mcdonalds Germany has this kiddie meal with Collectible puppies and she has three of them. Sometimes i see her playing with the puppies pretending like feeding them with bread...lol oohh i forgot she is 2 years and 5 months now.
1 person likes this
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
15 Mar 08
i used to have a pet.. but we moved to a different apartment and our land lord does not allow us to have one. so there :( that is sooo sad really... i miss having a pet around and enjoy his company and his wagging tail whenever i come home from work,
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
16 Mar 08
I'm sorry. Perhaps someday you'll move to where they allow pets.
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Mar 08
Buster - Hey, stop watching me pee! Hahaha!
I have a beautiful beagle named Buster. He has been with us for a few years and is very loved as well as very spoiled. I used to have cats as well until we bought our house and our beloved Spooky got very ill & I had to put him down. A sad day in Grandpa Bob's life back then. Here's Buster in all his glory out in the snow. Thanks. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB!!~
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
12 Mar 08
Buster at his best!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Mar 08
Well as you know I have my two highly pampered brats, Kissy and Pyewacket. I've had pets all my life just about, since five and could NEVER imagine not being without a "baby"... I guess for those who don't have pets it could just be maybe where they live they might have a heavy duty no-pet clause and just can't have pets....one apartment condo has such strict rules about that, that tenants can't even have goldfish! I'm not kidding you. Then of course there are people that are plain animal haters and wouldn't want a pet...I don't know...my feelings is that everyone in some way should be able to have a pet...having a pet I think brings out kindness and compassion with most people...of course this is a generalization as unfortunately we hear of horror stories of how some people treat pets
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
13 Mar 08
If appropriate, I wish children could grow up with a pet of some sort. You're right, it brings out compassion and kindness in most people, and I think this kind of rearing would bring about less animal cruelty in the future.
@vera5d (4005)
• United States
17 Mar 08
we would love to have pets but there a few reasons, the first one mostly being cost - it can add up having a pet, even if you adopt one from a shelter! Since my hubby is allergic we would need a hypoallergenic dog and they are very expensive and hard to find. I also think with the two little kids I'm not quite ready for another "person" to take care of! (I really think dogs and babies are much alike at first!) We're still undecided on more kids and so that would factor in also - I;d like to get a puppy we can raise to be used to kids running around and accidently stepping on its tail! I am sure we will get one someday, I think having a dog is a great thing for protection - better than any security alarm or anything else!
• China
13 Mar 08
I have no pets but I really like them such as kitty and puppy. I have had a kitty for only one month.She was too lively.She always slept beside me. But I had to study,so I sent her to other person. I think I should give my pets a comfortable environment before raising them. So that is beyond my consideration now.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
13 Mar 08
If you eventually decide to have a pet, your pet will be very lucky. You obviously care more about the animal's needs than you do your own.
@SteveDan (23)
• Canada
13 Mar 08
I love animals very much, especially the cute and little ones such as puppies But when it comes to their wastes (both liquid and solid) and the cost to raise them, i just don't think i have the time or the commitment to do it Besides, i don't want my house to get dirty :p
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (92864)
• United States
13 Mar 08
That is very understandable. I don't think a person has to have an animal to like them. : )