Too many pets, too little time, too much heart.

**krbshappy71** · 05-06-2010, 07:47 PM

I applied for a part-time job on top of my current full-time job. I don't have the job yet, but I was thinking about this stuff. Money is super tight, even my dogs are on a budget. Money and time budget. I want the part time job but sheesh then I'll never be home for my pets to enjoy them let alone take care of them! (see signature for my list of pets)

So my plan is to work normal shift of 7 a.m. -3:30 p.m. then 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Then all day on weekends.

My dogs normally are fed at 7 p.m, I'm going to shift that to 4 p.m. so I can get them let out, fed, let outside, let back in myself so I can be with them, not hand that off to the teen. On very nice days they have the dog door all day, in and out of the fenced backyard. But on cold days I have to shut the dog door, ugh!

This is because my other pets, the hedgehogs and turtle, need the house warmer than usual. Once nicer weather kicks in all the time they will be fine, but for now the house still dips down too cold. Evenings will probably be too cold until mid-summer.

Frugally speaking, my pets are holding me back. Speaking from the heart, I cannot bear to downsize any of them. I feel like I took them on, I love them, I can't let them go. But with the above schedule I'm not going to have time to spend with all of them, I'll be focusing my attention to the dogs because dogs really care about their human-time.

Did I mention I have a teen at home as well that I need to spend time with? She doesn't have a job and I almost don't want her to get one because I think I'm going to enlist her to spending some time with the pets. I don't want her to resent the pets but the dogs really need human interaction.

Thanks for listening. If any of you feel stretched thin by pets and the responsibilities that come with them, I'd love to hear your story.

**frugalfriend** · 05-06-2010, 08:21 PM

Aww, I'm sorry, that's gotta be hard not being able to spend more time with your furry friends. Can't you take one day off a week, or is this just a temporary situation? We have one dog and one hamster (my dd's). They aren't hard on us (especially the hamster

), except for when the weather is bad and our dog goes stir crazy in the house and he whines all day, and we have to let him in and out constantly all day long!

**frugalwarrior2** · 05-06-2010, 08:26 PM

I just wanted to say I understand. I have 15 animals from years back when I did animal rescue. I love them all dearly but they cost about $4000. a year to care for. The youngest one is 5.

When I took them all on the economy was fine, i worked part time, the kids were little and were home, DH didn't travel for weeks at a time,care was much cheaper,I was healthier.
None if those things are true today. I worry because the oldest is 13 and still going strong. And truely,I could use the cash for other things. You know like college.
Pets are for life but i sure would like to afford a vacation instead of camping and the KENNEL> too bad we don't live close right. Although, I would need HEDGEHOG training. Yikes.

**Siebrie** · 05-07-2010, 05:43 AM

Would it be possible to have some really small space (cage/bench/box?) heated (heating pad?) for the turtle and the hedgehog? Then you won't have to heat the whole house and the dogs can still go in and out as they please.

I thought hedgehogs and turtles hybernated, so that they would be fine outside, under some cover.

**Dancing Lotus** · 05-07-2010, 06:54 AM

When I took in my pets my life was different and I had plenty of time and money for them. But the last couple of years pet owner ship has become more of a chore then a blessing. I love them dearly and do everything I can for them but as they pass I have no intention of replacing them

**freebs** · 05-07-2010, 07:49 AM

i agree! i get resentful as i am the one taking care of the animals on a daily basis. Kids are in school and then homework, supper and bed when they get home so no time after school. Pus i work full time. Of course i have goats, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs. My totals for all are over 225! so it takes alot of time to feed and water.

**krbshappy71** · 05-07-2010, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Siebrie

Would it be possible to have some really small space (cage/bench/box?) heated (heating pad?) for the turtle and the hedgehog? Then you won't have to heat the whole house and the dogs can still go in and out as they please.

I thought hedgehogs and turtles hybernated, so that they would be fine outside, under some cover.

Thank you for the suggestions, but no, hibernation is sudden death for this breed of pet hedgehogs. Same with the turtle, she has been indoors for too long of her life, she wont survive outdoors now. (according to the wildlife rehab class I took about her) She's been indoors with constant heat for about 20 years. The turtle has a heat lamp, but the house still cannot be below 73 degrees because the heat escapes too quickly. They don't just sleep in a box all day, they are out and about in their large cages and the too cold of air will cause respiratory issues for both the turtle and hedgies. I'm not willing to downsize the living space for them for the sake of the dogs, I have the largest spaces I can for all my pets because its important to me to do that for them. I considered putting the turtle in the same room as the hedgies, but the turtle needs the extra humidity that the hedgies aren't supposed to have. (once again, respiratory issues)

Sorry if it sounds like a line of excuses but I have researched my babies, I'm doing the best I can to give them what they need while still meeting my own financial goals. I'm just frustrated that the two situations seem to conflict right now.

Maybe next time I should pick more compatible pets eh? ha! I have made the decision that once these little ones pass, they wont be replaced. I've also come to realize that I can't take on more pets. No rescues, no strays, no puppy-fever. Simply no more until my finances are in better shape.

**bumplett** · 05-07-2010, 10:08 AM

ROFLMAO!!!!

wow - sounds like you took a page from my diary frugal warrior!!

my oldest cat passed away 5 months ago (he was 15), we were down to 5 cats, 3 dogs, 2 hamsters, Jiffy the parakeet, and my little beta fish.

then all hell broke loose at work, and those with the "say so" told us that we had to remove ALL of our office pets - these were the guys that weren't adoptable, or had speacil issues -

so in the divy, I added 2 more adult cats to our family.

so now there are 7, not to mention the 6 sets of mommy/kittens that we are fostering since it's "kitten season" and they can never survive long enough in a shelter environment to be old enough to adopt out!

It was the hardest thing in the world to have to choose 6 moms, and stop at that, because there are still others waiting for my space to open up.

but the good news is that we have managed to keep everyone healthy so far, and 4 litters have gone straight from my house to rescue and not had to return to the shelter -

but I'll be so happy when kitten season is over.

from a frugal standpoint, I do not purchase food/supplies for the fosters. I get food from work, so there is no personal expense, only time.

I wish there was a less expensive way to feed my own though. I think they need to get part time jobs!!

and I continue to say - no more, no more, no more -

I can't even begin to think of going on vacation!

so don't ever feel alone - we're all in the same fluffy boat.

**RABBIT** · 05-07-2010, 11:11 AM

I also share my home with a number of animals, 3 dogs, 1 puppy, 2 cats and 6 house rabbits. I work part-time (which means I'm gone 7 hours a day) and currently do most of the household and outside chores, we have 3.5 acres of land. DH has been working 75 hour weeks so when he is home he lends a hand. I know where your coming from feeling like you can't give enough time to your animals!

Dogs just want to be around you so make sure when you are home that they just have access to be where you are. Of course they would rather have you be taking them for walks or throwing a ball 6,000 times but if they can't have that, they just want to be with you. If your dogs don't sleep in the same room as you, maybe start letting them, more time spent together. I give my dogs those toys that you stuff with treats only when I leave so they actually get excited when I go. It makes me feel alittle guilt free. At least your daughter is there with your dogs when your not, even if she's not paying attention to them, they at least have someone in the house. That's all they probably care about. I have the day off today and my 4 have been sleeping all morning, that's what they're programmed to do I suppose when I'm normally at work.

Don't feel too guilty, you have to do what you have to do and everyone will adjust. Too many people drop off their dogs at a shelter in your position because "it's not fair to the dog" and truth of the matter is those dogs would rather be in their own house with alittle less human time then given up. I commend you for making this work!

**Pemberleyan** · 05-08-2010, 08:33 AM

We have two inside dogs which we intentionally picked out and they are a huge part of our every-day lives. We basically cannot travel because we have no place to leave them, but we wouldn't want to be without them. I understand what you mean -- I hope things improve for you.

I grew up in a family that took in stray dogs -- a variety of animals, actually -- and we often found homes for them. These days it is so difficult to find a good home for dogs, especially in an area where so few "get it" about spaying/neutering and there is a shocking amount of dog fighting that goes on. We live in a rural county with no animal shelter, humane society, etc. There are a large number of strays born every spring around here and over the years we have taken in several strays. We now have five outdoor dogs and they have a sizable fenced in area. They don't get the individual attention that a lot of pets get, but at least they are well-fed and have shelter, etc.

I shudder to think what the annual cost is. Of course there is the cost of spaying/neutering, heartworm prevention in addition to food. One of the dogs is a constant digger, which has caused us to spend many hours repairing holes under fences, etc.

We live way back in the woods with no neighbors, so we were surprised to find a dog lying on our doorstep one day last week. I immediately started calling every animal group I could find in the next county and of course was turned down because they're all so overwhelmed right now. She is the sweetest dog, has become my little shadow every time I step outside. I told DH we should keep her and send the digger to the pound ;-). To my surprise a relative said she'd like to have her in a couple of weeks. This morning I go to pick her up from the vet where she has had her spay operation, rabies, etc. Can you say Cha-Ching!?!

**krbshappy71** · 05-08-2010, 09:59 AM

The stories of all of you helping strays and rescues, despite the costs, has really touched me, thank you. It brought out all those feelings of love over money. I am going to work VERY hard to get my act together financially so I can have money to do more work from the heart. Right now I'll take care of the ones I have and get out of this money-mess, but you have all inspired me to do so for the sake of others as well, they need me to get a handle on things so I can help them.

I saw a turtle on Craig's list, for free, and instead of offering to take it I emailed them with the local reptile rescue information. It hurt my heart not to just take it in but I cannot just yet. It was a tough decision but in the long run maybe it will me I can take them in and truly take care of them, I will enjoy that so much more than this dreaded feeling of, "no one can get sick!! no one!!"

I still haven't heard back from the part time job but it has helped me realize that even with time on my hands, I have got to make more of an effort to spend time with them. I'm going to slowly shift their feeding time to the earlier time of the day (in case I do get the job it wont be a sudden shift to their schedule) and if I don't get that job I'm still looking for one with the same general hours.

Thank you all for responding, its such a help to hear from others.

**shoiji** · 05-08-2010, 05:35 PM

At one time I had a dog, 2 cats, a ferret, beta fish, and a snail. I was able to give the ferret to a good home with another ferret for companionship. When the beta fish and snail died they did not get replaced. Then my dog died. Now I only have the 2 cats. It has made me realize that 2 cats was enough. Fortunately in this town you can only own 2 cats. Since I would end up being the crazy cat lady otherwise.

**krbshappy71** · 05-08-2010, 05:47 PM

I wont replace the fish. But I said that after I lost my last fish. I wont replace the turtle. Well, ok I might replace the turtle. Turtles are actually really cute to watch, at least ours is. She's social.

And as far as the crazy-cat-lady goes, let me tell you its a darn good thing I'm allergic because I do love cats and would want one of every breed. Even with my allergies I want a Sphynx soooo badly. But I wont.

**bumplett** · 05-08-2010, 06:08 PM

just a $ saving tip:

instead of purchasing heartworm meds for each dog, I purchased one bottle of ivermectrin (same ingredient) - I give each dog 1/10 cc per 10 lbs of body weight each month. This means that a 50 lb dog gets 1 cc of ivermec once/month.
The cost of the 1 bottle of ivermec was approx $35/for a 50 ml bottle. It's found at feed/seed stores in the cattle section. it's also used as a cattle dewormer. It tastes horrid, so I add pet-tinic liquid, or milk to cut the taste.

**bumplett** · 05-08-2010, 06:14 PM

One lady actually told me that she was turning her cat in because they were moving and the cat would be stuck in a carrier for the 12 hour car trip! I suggested that the cat won't mind - and she told me she couldn't fit the carrier in the car & basically she just didn't want to deal with it.

so she'd rather her cat be stuck in a cage 24/7 til it gets sick & euthanized???