Pets

How To Have A Dog… When You Can’t Have A Dog

If you’ve ever been in the situation where your child asks for a dog, is perhaps desperate for one, but you’ve had to say no because of allergies, the fact that no one is home during the day, your landlord won’t allow it, or the cost, you’ll know just how upsetting that disappointed little face can be.

However, even if you can’t physically have a dog in your home, there might be other ways to satisfy that canine craving your kid has and to keep everyone happy. Read on to find out how you can have a dog when you can’t actually have one. There are more options out there than you might think.

How To Have A Dog… When You Can’t Have A Dog

Walk Someone Else’s Dog

If you or your child loves the idea of having a dog but can’t have one in your home for any reason, there are plenty out there that need to be walked every day but whose owners are elderly, disabled, or they have to work late sometimes, for example. If one of your neighbors or a friend has a dog and they could do with some help walking it, this could be the ideal compromise.

Walking a dog is excellent exercise for both humans and animals, and it’s a good way to teach children responsibility too. Plus, it’s fun. Taking a dog to the park or around the block is one of the most enjoyable aspects of having them in the first place. So, if you can do the walking and then hand the dog back to its owner, this can work out well.

Sponsor A Dog In Need

There are lots of shelters and charities that help animals in need. Perhaps they’ve been abused in the past, or their owner has passed away and they have nowhere to live. There are many reasons why a dog might end up at a shelter. Each one will need some extra help, and in many cases, you can pay money each month to sponsor a particular dog.

If you do this, you’ll have all the benefits of owning a dog without having one in your home, and you’ll know you’re doing the right thing for another living being. If it’s your child who wants the dog, you can explain the details to them and have them do chores around the house to make pocket money which can then go towards the care of the dog they are sponsoring.

Find Doggy Events To Attend

Lots of people love dogs, so you’re sure to find plenty of dog-friendly and focused events to attend in your local area or further afield if you don’t mind traveling. Some dog parks have movie nights you can attend, and many people will have their dogs with them. Or you might book tickets to see a show that involves stunt dog entertainment. Maybe you like the idea of working dogs or dog shows. Whatever you enjoy the most, just go and have a great time.

Just make sure you don’t have to bring a dog with you if you want to go, and if you do, perhaps you can borrow your neighbor’s dog again.

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Jess Benoit

Jess is a homeschooling mama of 3, wife, gamer, Whovian, Nerd

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