StanH5 (Colorado)
Posts: 89
Posts: 89
Posted:
This article will make sense to most and surely upset many. This article is not about your "fido" but about a common sense approach for seniors living in a maintenance free community. It's about your limitations as you get older and responsibilities of pet ownership. Pet ownership doesn't have to mean pet problems for you or the community but, unfortunately, turn out that way more often than not. HOA by-laws can limit the number/type of dogs but common sense should indicate one is enough. A Board member once referred to pet complaints as the "silent complaint" because so many will tolerate the rude behavior of pet owners to their face to avoid arguments but vent their anger to others. I'm sure there is no shortage of you who get tired of your front lawn being used as the urinal for fido while the rude owner has few spots on their lawn. As a neighbor of mine once said, "if it's so clean and enjoyable to watch fido do his thing, why not save it for their lawn". Yes, there are responsible pet owners but that group seems to decline in size each year. I'm sure this topic will generate more nasty email, telephone calls, and gossip for me but as another wise ole sage said: "the truth hurts".
NOTE: First let me address the predictable comment from those angered by this article: You hate dogs! No, I don't hate dogs or animals. I responsibly owned several dogs, two cats, fish, rabbits, and a gerbil. I didn't get my pets from a pet store or puppy mill both of which I detest: all were from Animal Shelters. My pets were mine, didn't bother anyone else, were not imposed on others, didn't litter on neighbors lawns, and were kept very healthy. Well then, "You are intolerant". This topic is not about my or others intolerance but about responsibilities and considerations for pet ownership in maintenance free/age restricted communities.
There are reasons that seniors say that once "fido" goes to heaven they don't intend on replacing him and this is especially so when moving into an age restricted and/or maintenance free community. Why?
a. Most responsible pet owners understand that fido is happiest with a dedicated, fenced in, homeowner backyard in which to roam and (uhh) to put it nicely, relieve themselves. In maintenance free communities, green areas/greenbelts, common sense tells most, are not toilets for dogs or areas to let fido run free. Does this sound like a good fit? Then there is the problem of "where" to let fido defecate /urinate: your lawn or everyone else's and we know the unfortunate choice?
b. Then there are those yip-pity-yap little dogs that drive neighbors nuts but that is another article for another day.
c. Pet considerations related to seniors and health issues. You'll have to take the dog for a walk (in the rain, snow, cold, heat) and clean up after him/her: your former backyard is missing! This can become burdensome or physically not possible to do when ailing or less mobile. The dog can't go in the house like a cat so you can have problems. This often results in costly damage to homes when owners can no longer care for the pet. Realtors can attest to pet damage and I witnessed the resulting stains, odors, and floor damage in homes in my neighborhood when pet needs out live human ability. Don't minimize this task as it is necessary, often, and arduous for some. Plan on not being able to care for some pets vs. assuming you will always be capable and consider my solution below.
d. Your senior years are great for traveling and fido can put a damper on all that. Imposing your pet on seemingly willing relatives/friends is not fair to them or the pet. The high cost to board a pet will shock most and may preclude traveling. If you have to go into the hospital what happens to the animal?
e. Dogs left on patios/decks/leaches (vs. your fenced in backyard) barking to get your attention, "boredom barking", or simply bark at everything from a bird to the sun rising: wasn't enjoyed by your neighbors in your previous community so correct or leave that annoyance behind.
This doesn't mean the pet thing is out the window. Pets are good companions, therapeutic, and are a cure for loneliness. Yes, I said it and some should re-read it. Let's not contradict these positive arguments with a pet that is incompatible with your lifestyle, age, health, and maintenance free community. Enter my favorite solution: a cat. They can be easily house trained, are very low maintenance, can stay indoors all the time, won't inhibit traveling for short periods of time, will help out Animal Shelters with your adoption, they don't stink up your home anymore than a dog, are of cleaner hygiene than dogs, are wonderful cuddly companions, their independence will actually make less work for you, provide you and your neighbors peace and quiet, and fit into a maintenance free, no backyard community. Other pets most certainly can pass the compatibility test.
So, when moving to a maintenance free community (and when getting older), think about pet ownership responsibilities. Denial of the above discussion will only provide hardship on you, your pet, your community, and neighbors. Why make life difficult. Remember, just like not everyone has to enjoy other people's kids regardless of how they offend or intrude, not everyone has to like your sharing/imposing fido on them. I vote for Garfield.
NOTE: First let me address the predictable comment from those angered by this article: You hate dogs! No, I don't hate dogs or animals. I responsibly owned several dogs, two cats, fish, rabbits, and a gerbil. I didn't get my pets from a pet store or puppy mill both of which I detest: all were from Animal Shelters. My pets were mine, didn't bother anyone else, were not imposed on others, didn't litter on neighbors lawns, and were kept very healthy. Well then, "You are intolerant". This topic is not about my or others intolerance but about responsibilities and considerations for pet ownership in maintenance free/age restricted communities.
There are reasons that seniors say that once "fido" goes to heaven they don't intend on replacing him and this is especially so when moving into an age restricted and/or maintenance free community. Why?
a. Most responsible pet owners understand that fido is happiest with a dedicated, fenced in, homeowner backyard in which to roam and (uhh) to put it nicely, relieve themselves. In maintenance free communities, green areas/greenbelts, common sense tells most, are not toilets for dogs or areas to let fido run free. Does this sound like a good fit? Then there is the problem of "where" to let fido defecate /urinate: your lawn or everyone else's and we know the unfortunate choice?
b. Then there are those yip-pity-yap little dogs that drive neighbors nuts but that is another article for another day.
c. Pet considerations related to seniors and health issues. You'll have to take the dog for a walk (in the rain, snow, cold, heat) and clean up after him/her: your former backyard is missing! This can become burdensome or physically not possible to do when ailing or less mobile. The dog can't go in the house like a cat so you can have problems. This often results in costly damage to homes when owners can no longer care for the pet. Realtors can attest to pet damage and I witnessed the resulting stains, odors, and floor damage in homes in my neighborhood when pet needs out live human ability. Don't minimize this task as it is necessary, often, and arduous for some. Plan on not being able to care for some pets vs. assuming you will always be capable and consider my solution below.
d. Your senior years are great for traveling and fido can put a damper on all that. Imposing your pet on seemingly willing relatives/friends is not fair to them or the pet. The high cost to board a pet will shock most and may preclude traveling. If you have to go into the hospital what happens to the animal?
e. Dogs left on patios/decks/leaches (vs. your fenced in backyard) barking to get your attention, "boredom barking", or simply bark at everything from a bird to the sun rising: wasn't enjoyed by your neighbors in your previous community so correct or leave that annoyance behind.
This doesn't mean the pet thing is out the window. Pets are good companions, therapeutic, and are a cure for loneliness. Yes, I said it and some should re-read it. Let's not contradict these positive arguments with a pet that is incompatible with your lifestyle, age, health, and maintenance free community. Enter my favorite solution: a cat. They can be easily house trained, are very low maintenance, can stay indoors all the time, won't inhibit traveling for short periods of time, will help out Animal Shelters with your adoption, they don't stink up your home anymore than a dog, are of cleaner hygiene than dogs, are wonderful cuddly companions, their independence will actually make less work for you, provide you and your neighbors peace and quiet, and fit into a maintenance free, no backyard community. Other pets most certainly can pass the compatibility test.
So, when moving to a maintenance free community (and when getting older), think about pet ownership responsibilities. Denial of the above discussion will only provide hardship on you, your pet, your community, and neighbors. Why make life difficult. Remember, just like not everyone has to enjoy other people's kids regardless of how they offend or intrude, not everyone has to like your sharing/imposing fido on them. I vote for Garfield.