2nd Shiba YAY!

kekti

so we've desided in about 6mo. to a year depending on when we can get one we're going to get a ethier a White male or a black and tan male, he is going to be mine since technically roxy is my little brothers, we're going to wait until we have a fence in the back yard and aren't so busy with our move and construction. I'm already thinking of names, also he's going to be here for a year after I move out so I can get through my first year of college then I'll move off campus to an appt that allows dogs and then I'll take him with me up there. so what names do you think would be good, Nisuru *nizz oo roo* or urusin *oo roo sin/ you roo sin*, I'm open to sugestions as well and ya I know I should meet/interact figure out a dogs personality before naming I'm just getting excited heh.

JessicaRabbit

I would strongly encourage you to reconsider. Especially if you have not even begun college. In truth responsible dog ownership requires many many hours of an individuals day. If you haven't been to college yet you will learn very quickly that you barely have time to breath let alone have three hours a day to properly exercise your dogs.

I work at an animal shelter near more than half a dozen Universities and we have a policy to NOT adopt to college students because they have more than a 75% return rate. Getting a dog can be upwards of a 20 year commitment. I know you love your puppy. So show her that love by making sure you have enough time for her after the HUGE adjustment to academic life before you make her adjust to having to share the modicum of attention you will have for her with ANOTHER dog.

This forum can make it nearly irresistible to have multiple dogs. But keep in mind, most of us are married or have live in partners, and many of us work from home and have devoted our LIVES to caring for animals.

I actually quit my job to care for my pack and work at the rescue. My husband and I no longer go on vacations without our dogs, and have a trust fund dedicated exclusively to the care of our animals.

My second concern is your desire for a WHITE shiba. White shibas are a by-product of inferior breeding. They are considered a fault and therefore are not allowed to be shown in AKC shows.

I wish you much luck in your pursuits but please before you take responsibility ANOTHER life think long and hard about it.

tsukitsune

I was hesitant to respond because I know how hard it can be on the forum with all these other dogs, but TRUST me when I say you will be SO MUCH HAPPIER if you wait!!!!

I have three shibas, started out with one and a foster dog in my 3rd year of college, my senior year was a B**CH! I had so much to juggle, I was spent, honest to God spent. I can't imagine how people with kids do it!
But thankfully I was married for 2 years, and had an apartment already - without this arrangement I would have NEVER taken on more fosters or the shiba.

Now I'm working at the university full time and pursuing my masters part time. It is a very difficult thing still with three shibas because we just can't pick up and move if we wanted to, everything has to be really thought out and considered for two people and three dogs. I had to find an apartment big enough that allows pets close to campus to juggle it all. Its a ton of responsibility and sacrifice, when all I want to do after work is crash but I have homework, papers to do, dogs to walk, dogs to play with, dinner to make, chores, dogs to feed, and on and on and on.

Not to mention adequate care and how poor being a college student can make you! You have to consider food, medical care and basic living necessities for you AND the dog. My job, John's job and my student stipend save my life.

You are going to do what you want to do, but I'm just trying to speak from experience and say if you wait a few years until you are at least capable of living off campus and can devote real time to an animal that depends on your for everything, for its entire life... maybe it'd be better to enjoy Roxy on your trips home, then getting your own dog in the future will be all the more enjoyable.

dlroberts

I want to reiterate what Jessica and Jen have said. I'm a full time graduate student and I have two dogs. I can tell you for sure that owning dogs is going to delay my graduation by a year at least. There is absolutely no way I could have juggled all my responsibilities as an undergraduate and managed to be a responsible dog owner. The time and effort required to be a successful student is enormous. Owning a dog will take away at least three hours of your day, probably more if you do it correctly.

Then there is the expense. If your dog is perfectly healthy, it will cost you $1500 a year for regular vet checks, flea and tick medications, and feeding it a high quality food. If your dog is not healthy (like one of mine is), it can cost you five or more times that (yes, that is $7500).

Perhaps most importantly though, the most profound part of your college experience will take place outside the classroom. Being a member of campus organizations or just hanging out with your friends is a vital part of a college education. If you have a dog to get home to it is going to put a serious strain on your ability to participate in those types of activities.

I strongly urge you to reconsider. Remember, good things come to those who wait.