For a truly off-topic thread. Pets, whatchya got? Years ago I had a couple of aquariums (minor obsession) and a parrot, along with the obligatory snake and lizard in my early twenties. But I've been pet-free for around 8 years. Thinking about a puppy...
Does he/she do okay while you're gone at work? That's the biggest challenge that I'm trying to work out.
When he was little I used baby gates to keep him in the kitchen. Occasionally there would be accidents but he was pretty good about not destroying things. He liked to chew on things and so I had to be mindful not to leave things out and about. I bought chew toys. Now he has the run of the house - no problems. I pay someone to come to my house and take him out when I know I'm going to be late. He is a sort of hunting dog so when we go for walks his nose is on the ground the whole time. He'll chase a rabbit into the woods and I won't see him for an hour so I have to keep him on a leash. Basenji's don't bark but he will make a bit of a ruckus if anyone comes onto the property and so he helps me feel safe. I didn't really plan on getting him. He just kind of happened. His name is Nico.
I have had all kinds of pets throughout my life and got my first working dog almost two years ago. She is a Belgian Malinois and is the most demanding and most rewarding non-human relationship I have ever had. We spend hours together every week training in dog sport, my wife runs her 5 - 10 miles a day (best shape she has ever been in), and she is smart, driven, and full of energy requiring near constant work. With everything else going on in my life it is difficult to balance her needs but I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't consider her a pet, if I treated her like a pet she would be miserable and would make my life miserable, but she still falls in the realm of your question. If you don't want that kind of situation; I would recommend a dog on the opposite end of the drive, energy, and potentially intelligence scale.
Started looking into this, because a breeder nearby has a litter.. and.. baby French Bulldogs. I've also always kind of wanted a Brindle Boxer and it might be more suitable with my lifestyle, going back and forth and now starting to really consider one once the semester wraps up. Although I'm astonished at what breeders are charging, did not expect that.
Make sure to do your research. Look at it like you would anything else that will be in your life for the next 15 years and even more so because it is a living thing that will be impacted by your choice. The most concerning thing I see is people that want a new dog and make a post, "looking for a Rottweiler, a Great Dane, or a Chihuahua, please let me know what you have for $200." It demonstrates that they haven't defined what they need for their lifestyle, they have done zero research on dog breed habits/common characteristics, and that they are going to end up with a dog that will most likely be a bad fit. If you are pretty flexible, make sure to check out your local shelter.
Actually still have a baby gate and it should work in my kitchen, that might be something to consider. I started looking into the day camps, walking services, etc. Really had no idea that was an entire industry. Also taken back, by what some people are paying for those services. Even if he just kind of happened, sounds like Nico's a great buddy and companion! Great name btw! Always, always do research. Again, early stages of just contemplating the idea and checking on the feasibility. I've been a bit astonished at how far some breeders are going to screen for genetic markers and mitigate hereditary diseases. If I decide to go forward, will likely be looking towards summer time, when I have far more availability for the puppy stage. Always try and support local shelters, at least with occasional volunteer work and donations, but... local shelter went full cray cray. It's okay to go somewhat cray, but going full cray cray.. don't think you can ever really recover. They were taken over by militant vegans who started attacking their major donors and volunteer network, in an attempt to shame everyone into joining a vegan cult they were starting... Now they're insolvent and likely to fold. It was bewildering to watch unfold.
