Cat or Dog?

[Biggles]

Now I am on my own I am thinking of getting a Cat or Dog for company. I used to have a Dog ( A Bull Mastiff ) but it died many years ago when she was 12 years of age.
Eric was not a Cat Lover so we never considered getting one when we moved to this downstairs flat.

I would appreciate suggestions of 'For or Against' getting A Cat or Dog or neither'

[JennyWrenn]

Mmm pondering

A dog will need walkies and toilet runs whereas a cat can use a litter tray and is independant - a dog will get you out and about tho

A dog is more time consuming Biggy if you have enough time to take it out etc - if it were me then I would go for a doggy ;D

[farmersboy]

I would go for a cat Biggs,when the weather is rough,and you dont feel like going out,you can let the cat out on its own,think a dog is better for younger people

[Missredhead]

I'm not really a cat lover but a cat is far more independent than a dog....
As Jenny ans FB say, a dog would need walking whatever the weather and if you went away and couldnt take it with you it would have to be either boarded or get someone to look after it...

A cat on the other hand just needs someone to pop in and make sure that it is fed and watered especially if you have a cat flap.

[Tig]

I was never going to have anymore pets - I get attached and get quite upset when they 'go'

Having said that, the Cat which adopted us is part of the family now, and not much trouble, apart from covering the carpets in fur, using my upholstery as scratching posts and my garden as a loo ....

My widowed senior neighbour has a little Jack Russell terrier, she is a lovely dog and a great companion. She has a long, secure garden though and can let her out unaccompanied, something you cannot really do Biggs

Could you perhaps dog-sit for other people? Or would that not be the same?

x Tig

[JennyWrenn]

If I didnt have a secure garden am not sure if I would have dogs - the idea of going out at 5.30am in a morning for the toilet run doesnt appeal

How about you call in at an Animal Rescue Centre - once there you will find your companion; doggy or pussy cat

[Jasmine]

The rescue centre idea is a brilliant one. If you get a pet from a centre they will have been spayed and will have all their injections up to date. The centre will also go to a lot of trouble to match a pet to your circumstances. We got Bonnie at 6 months old so she had outgrown the need for house training and she was past the chewing things stage.

[Ladygardener]

Definately a cat Biggles. I have one and he stays indoors. He's brilliant company, clean and has such character. It's also easy to get someone to come in and feed him when I'm away visiting my girls. I feed him dried food crunchies so there's no nasty smell of food. ;D I would'nt be without him and he's so tactile, sitting up beside me or on my lap for a cuddle.

[Biggles]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions-I am giving it serious thought and will let you know what I decide and the reasons why later, Biggs

[Barbara]

My friend has a house rabbit Kath, it is very friendly and is a character.

[JennyWrenn]

My neighbour had a "house" rabbit - it lived for many years and also had the run of the garden

It was very tame and use to know its name ;D

[Deleted]

i got a pomaranian 4 years ago..and i consider her low maintance..and she's been a great dog to have...only defficaulty i had with her,was getting her house broken..but yet.not much of a problem there...other then that.no problems.i do take her for walks time to time,in which both of us enjoy.she goes outside with me every time i go out.and i dont have to worry about her running loose.seeing how we live in the country.

[Ladygardener]

I'd forgotten about this thread, it touched me a little to see Biggles and Jennywren's names here.

theinsidegardener has gotten a little baby kitten for her girls. She's called Abbey and is causing a riot in their kitchen. She's very playful (loves climbing up the curtains ) and still learning how to use her litter tray but is an absolute darling.