Most Girls Get Baby Fever...

bsidebella

...but I have a serious case of puppy fever. You guys ... it's BAD.

Ever since my mom moved across the country (NJ to AZ) and took the dogs with her, I have been going absolutely insane. Dog stories on TV make me cry. I can't watch dog shows anymore or look at pictures of other peoples' dogs. When I see someone on the street with their dog, I have to stop and ask if I can pet. I don't want to volunteer at a shelter because that will make me too sad and I will want to bring them all home.

Our apartment complex is no pets. We have a rabbit, several people have cats and there are at least two (small) dogs in our building alone (we see them out for walks) - so it's not a policy people adhere to (we're not supposed to paint the walls either, but our next door neighbors have a green living room).

I keep begging FI for a small dog, a little terrier or something, but he is firm. He wants a dog just as much as I do, perhaps more (this is not like the cat issue), but he says we can't have a dog until two things happen: he gets a promotion at work (more money), and we move into a new apartment in Sept. 2012 (which is when our lease is up and we can move to a pet-friendly complex).

YOU GUYS I CAN'T WAIT FOR EITHER ONE OF THOSE THINGS TO HAPPEN. I NEED A DOG.

I asked FI what would happen if I brought a dog home without telling him. He said he wouldn't be able to say no, but he doesn't want us to risk getting evicted, which is a possibility if someone complains about barking or something.

HELP - how can I cure my puppy fever?!

Elle1036

I'm not the person to ask about curing puppy fever.  I just tend to aggravate it.  Siriusly.

flygirlmeg

Well I think pets are like kids (maybe because we refer to our dog as our son?) and at least ideally, you shouldn't have them until you're ready.  It sounds like you guys are at the point where you could (and should?) wait until it's a bit more ideal to bring home a dog.  Maybe for the next year you could volunteer at a shelter or the Humane Society to get your dog-fix?  I would definitely recommend volunteering at a no-kill shelter and preferably someplace that actually wants to socialize the dogs.  I did that in college for a few years and it was fun.  Plus, sometimes you get to help place animals in their forever homes; it's really satisfying and if you're a pet-person, I think you'd really like it!

cu97tiger

I've got baby fever BAD. If I came home pregnant, FI would NOT be happy. I'm counting down the months until wedding + honeymoon are over so I can start TTC!

All that to say - bside, I'm no help with the puppy fever. I love my two dogs to death and cannot imagine not coming home to them every day!

motoLyn

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_girls-baby-fever?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:41792668-611a-4d73-be02-fbdd0da9bf56Post:2eb4cea2-6886-4420-8b2d-933217f17057">Re: Most Girls Get Baby Fever...</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not the person to ask about curing puppy fever.  I just tend to aggravate it.  Siriusly.
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

I can attest to this, I asked the same thing and Elle gave me a good kick over the cliff.  I think that you need to focus on getting your goals achieved and knowing that the reward is to bring home a puppy.  My Fi wanted a puppy so badly and so did I but we knew we couldn't have one in our apt.  Nor would it be fair to have one when we couldn't provide all that it needed ie room to run around.  So FI and I focused on getting our lives in order so that we could get a puppy when we reached our goals.  Which was a great motivator. 

How about pet sitting that way you get the perks of being with a dog like you own one but not deal with the no pet policy and vet bills.

swhite2012

I have major puppy fever too. I always had a dog growing up at my parent's house. Now FI and I live in an apartment where we can't have a dog, and it wouldn't be fair to have the kind of dog we want in a small apartment even if we were allowed to. We ended up getting a kitty a couple months ago, and that kind of has helped to cure my missing of having a pet around, and we love him. But I still really want a dog. I know though that we can't have one until we get a house though. We want a big active dog like a husky, which HAS to have a yard and enclosed place to run off leash. This also leads to house fever...it's a tough cycle...lol.

Sorry, I'm no help =( Just know you're not alone!

Elle1036

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_girls-baby-fever?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:41792668-611a-4d73-be02-fbdd0da9bf56Post:7b6c4cca-ad60-422d-a71b-141fbb221972">Re: Most Girls Get Baby Fever...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Most Girls Get Baby Fever... : I can attest to this, I asked the same thing and Elle gave me a good kick over the cliff.
Posted by motoLyn[/QUOTE]

<img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-innocent.gif" border="0" alt="Innocent" title="Innocent" />

bsidebella

Thanks for talking me down, guys. This is a really terrible situation for me. I'm just glad I quit working at the kennel before my mom moved, or else it would be so hard for me to go to work every day. I know it wouldn't be fair to a dog right now - our apartment is big compared to others, but it's still small. We have the rabbit in the dining room and his cage is 4x6. I just haaaaaate waiting.

We even know where we're going to move when our lease is up. It's a pet friendly complex with reasonable prices. It's still far away from my job but the tradeoff is we'll be able to get a doggie.

FI doesn't help with the puppy fever at all. Just last night he said, "LOOK AT MY FRIEND'S NEW DOG!" and proceeded to show me 30-some-odd pictures of the most adorable black schnauzer and I burst into tears =(

karlee4ever

Welll... is there anyway you can get out of your lease? At my apartment complex, we can get out reasonably easily especially if there is someone to rent it right away. I would consider that option... otherwise... just WAIT. Seriously, wait. It will be so worth it. And feel good about waiting because you're doing the right thing for your future furbaby! Plus, I have a dog who i love with all my heart, but I have moved (to my current apt) since I had him and moving has really affected him. He has lost his confidence as a dog and gets confused and barks at people here.

A PP suggested that you dog sit for someone! This would be an awesome idea, I think. Plus, you could make some extra cash maybe! I totally understand not being able to volunteer at a shelter... I could never do it. I donate money and food sometimes, but I would fall in love with every single pooch there and be in big trouble if I worked at one.

bsidebella

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_girls-baby-fever?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:41792668-611a-4d73-be02-fbdd0da9bf56Post:fb2d3fbf-76e7-44bf-82e1-ad734356839a">Re: Most Girls Get Baby Fever...</a>:
[QUOTE]Welll... is there anyway you can get out of your lease? At my apartment complex, we can get out reasonably easily especially if there is someone to rent it right away.
Posted by karlee4ever[/QUOTE]

If we break our lease early, we are responsible for the remaining months' rent. And since our lease just began on September first ... that's ten months of rent we would owe.

motoLyn

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_girls-baby-fever?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:41792668-611a-4d73-be02-fbdd0da9bf56Post:97873774-1463-4b3c-9507-32f5a5258bc7">Re: Most Girls Get Baby Fever...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Most Girls Get Baby Fever... : If we break our lease early, we are responsible for the remaining months' rent. And since our lease just began on September first ... that's ten months of rent we would owe.
Posted by bsidebella[/QUOTE]

Talk with the management and see what you can do.  They might be able to lessen your lease to 6 months.  Or work out a sublet.  The thing is they may say that you are liable for the remaining months rent but that's if they can't rent out again.  The remainder the lease you are liable is for the apt being empty if they can't find a tenet.  But I am sure that there are people lined up to live there.  Always worth a try to ask right?

I once rented a house with an EX but we broke up and I had to leave, we were liable for the remainder of our lease which was like 10 months or so with each month  being $2400.  So that was $24,000.  Yikes!  But we ended up paying two months rent extra because they found new tenets to take over the house.

karlee4ever

If you really want a puppy so bad, I agree, it wouldn't hurt to just look into it. My apartment is the same way, you're responsible while the apartment is vacant. Maybe while you're talking about it, they will agree to let you have a pet (okay, maybe more far-fetched but who knows, other people have dogs).

becunning2

You say that working at a kennel would make it worse... but would it?  If you had willpower, you could volunteer at a humane society. You could walk dogs, groom dogs, play with dogs, and socialize dogs (all super needed things at humane societies) and get some of your dog fix that way--but you'd have to tell yourself that you can't look for a dog until you're at a place where you and your FI are both ready for a dog. If you got a dog and your apartment complex found out, you could be evicted, still responsible for rent, OR have to give up your beloved dog for awhile. Now doesn't seem like the right time dear--even if it sucks royally.

bsidebella

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_girls-baby-fever?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:41792668-611a-4d73-be02-fbdd0da9bf56Post:9661ace6-ef2f-43c7-a92e-abb7ebf52dd3">Re: Most Girls Get Baby Fever...</a>:
[QUOTE]You say that working at a kennel would make it worse... but would it?  If you had willpower, you could volunteer at a humane society. You could walk dogs, groom dogs, play with dogs, and socialize dogs (all super needed things at humane societies) and get some of your dog fix that way
Posted by becunning2[/QUOTE]

Before I got the job I am in now, I worked at a boarding facility for dogs and cats. I was an activities counsellor - I walked and played with the dogs, played fetch, took them swimming, made sure they had human contact. These animals were always starved for attention - as soon as I would put them back in their enclosures, they would start that high pitched whine or howl. It always broke my heart. It was kind of hard to work there because these dogs were in an unfamiliar environment without the comfort of their homes and families. It was just too sad.

TheMutleys

I think that the responsible thing to do is to wait.  Wait until you are in a better financial place AND in an apartment that allows pets. 

You want to give your future dog the best life possible.  It takes more than love and time to care for an animal.  I would open up a savings account to save for your future pet.  Put a little bit extra in every month.  This might help you feel like you are working towards getting your dog, while still being responsible.  It will be great when you do decide to adopt to help with any adoption fees and getting new dog stuff.  It also doesn't hurt to have some money set aside for unexpected pet fees. 

elannis

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_girls-baby-fever?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:41792668-611a-4d73-be02-fbdd0da9bf56Post:fab0e2ae-bef5-4f50-9568-1656f2f35e9d">Re: Most Girls Get Baby Fever...</a>:
[QUOTE]I think that the responsible thing to do is to wait.  Wait until you are in a better financial place AND in an apartment that allows pets.  You want to give your future dog the best life possible.  It takes more than love and time to care for an animal.  I would <strong>open up a savings account to save for your future pet.  Put a little bit extra in every month.  </strong>This might help you feel like you are working towards getting your dog, while still being responsible.  It will be great when you do decide to adopt to help with any adoption fees and getting new dog stuff.  It also doesn't hurt to have some money set aside for unexpected pet fees. 
Posted by TheMutleys[/QUOTE]

This is a great idea! I'm going to start doing this because I have a slight puppy fever too, but don't want to get a puppy in our apartment. So maybe saving for a puppy will help me focus more on that rather than missing all the warm, fuzzy, wet kiss, moments with my parents' dog.

NurseyK

Oh ugh... I'm so against anyone getting a new puppy. They chew. They destroy. Then they barf it up. None are potty trained. They also bark and whine. They often get sick as soon as you bring them home, especially from a place with other dogs. I've seen and had such bad experiences with puppies that I'll never do that again.

 

BUT!

Do some research and find a breed that works with your lifestyle... wait 6 months.... and you stilll have puppy fever, there will still be plenty of adoptable young adult or adult dogs just waiting for you to give them a home. And trust me, just because a dog is 1 year old does not mean that they have lost the puppy-cuteness! And the best part is that most older dogs are already potty trained, and some are even behavior trained. 

Also.... I think it's a teensy bit disrespectful of your FI to bring a dog/puppy home without telling him. Don't you think it should be a mutual decision?

Also, I agree with Mutley. Save up money first for accidents and payments for dog expenses. Also, definitely wait until you are financially ready and in a permanent home. Too many people adopt puppies because they need a cute-cuddle factor and don't think about how much work a puppy is.

bsidebella

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_girls-baby-fever?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:41792668-611a-4d73-be02-fbdd0da9bf56Post:812b4712-bafb-4191-85de-57668886743e">Re: Most Girls Get Baby Fever...</a>:
[QUOTE]Oh ugh... I'm so against anyone getting a new puppy. They chew. They destroy. Then they barf it up. None are potty trained. They also bark and whine. They often get sick as soon as you bring them home, especially from a place with other dogs. I've seen and had such bad experiences with puppies that I'll never do that again.   BUT! Do some research and find a breed that works with your lifestyle... wait 6 months.... and you stilll have puppy fever, there will still be plenty of adoptable young adult or adult dogs just waiting for you to give them a home. And trust me, just because a dog is 1 year old does not mean that they have lost the puppy-cuteness! And the best part is that most older dogs are already potty trained, and some are even behavior trained.  Also.... I think it's a teensy bit disrespectful of your FI to bring a dog/puppy home without telling him. Don't you think it should be a mutual decision? Also, I agree with Mutley. Save up money first for accidents and payments for dog expenses. Also, definitely wait until you are financially ready and in a permanent home. Too many people adopt puppies because they need a cute-cuddle factor and don't think about how much work a puppy is.
Posted by NurseyK[/QUOTE]

We wouldn't get a puppy. I've had experience with raising a puppy and adopting an older dog, so I know the difference and the pros/cons. Eventually, we would like the experience of raising a puppy, but for our first dog together, we are going to go with an older dog.

We have everything planned and decided. The only thing that is really stopping is is the fact that our complex is no pets.

We are going to be looking to adopt a dog that is preferably a few years old, at least housebroken. We already know what kind of dog we want - we're not picky when it comes to breeds. We are very well educated on the different breeds and I used to work with dogs so I have had experience with many, many breeds. We want a small or medium sized dog that is friendly and active and cuddly, so we're probably going to go with some kind of terrier. We especially love mutts! We both grew up with mutts. The apartment complex we are looking at for next year allows tenants to have 2 dogs, so we are going to try to look for a bonded pair or a set of siblings that can't be separated.

And I would NEVER bring a dog home without FI's consent!! I was just teasing him because I know we both want a dog very, very bad.

bsidebella

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_girls-baby-fever?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:41792668-611a-4d73-be02-fbdd0da9bf56Post:fab0e2ae-bef5-4f50-9568-1656f2f35e9d">Re: Most Girls Get Baby Fever...</a>:
[QUOTE]I think that the responsible thing to do is to wait.  Wait until you are in a better financial place AND in an apartment that allows pets.  You want to give your future dog the best life possible.  It takes more than love and time to care for an animal.  I would open up a savings account to save for your future pet.  Put a little bit extra in every month.  This might help you feel like you are working towards getting your dog, while still being responsible.  It will be great when you do decide to adopt to help with any adoption fees and getting new dog stuff.  It also doesn't hurt to have some money set aside for unexpected pet fees. 
Posted by TheMutleys[/QUOTE]

Terrific idea, Mutley! I will tell FI tonight about this =)