For financial and other reasons I've not been able to have a dog in my life for quite some time, and it will be at least another two years before I'm at a place where I have settled down enough to finally bring one home with me.
What can I do to ease this pain I feel? I have a human partner and they are supportive and sympathetic to me, but every day that rolls on feels so empty without being able to run my hands through his fur. I'm 26 and I feel like my life hasn't even started yet. I've been looking forward to having a dog by my side my whole life and now he's as close as he's ever been, but it still feels so agonizingly far away.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I considered volunteering at a shelter or sanctuary, but my transportation is limited right now. I feel like seeing other dogs every day would just exacerbate the feeling that I'm unable to bring them home with me.
When my bitch isn't with me and I get to touch a dog it cheers me up big time and makes me a little less sad.
I can't relate to you so I can't really suggest anything.
It's just work hard and be patient. Can't really think of anything else.
I'll try my damnedest!
I have not the space, nor the opportunity to have a dog myself as of this moment. My charging moments are when I'm visiting friends who do have dogs.
Of course volunteering could certainly work, and second, those animals do need it themselves. Make sure that when you go for it, you have the time and space for it.
I know what you mean. Friends (especially the ones who know about my sexuality) always point out how much I light up when I'm around dogs.
that is indeed something many will notice. For myself I've noticed I clear up and relax physically and mentally.
I'm roughly in the same situation as you, except I'm exclusive and do not even have a human partner.
I don't really know what to say to help you. I go to the park sometimes, and apart from the fresh air, I'm sometimes lucky to have some cheerful dog coming to see me. It's good for the few seconds it happens, but I honestly think it does more harm than good. They are still other people's dogs. They will always be other people's dogs...
I've thought about other solutions to make the loneliness go away, but they are way less... wholesome.
Now we wait for all the assholes to come here and tell you how easy it is to have a dog.
Volunteering is how I was able to give back and pull through my lack of canine contact. Something you could try is advertising dog walking locally, maybe on a local facebook group or something, or also petsitting. Could even perhaps say you're doing it gratis in preparation to start caring for your own dog, or only charging a small fee.
I know how you feel. I'm in a pretty tight financial situation right now, and don't foresee having the space and home that would be suitable for a dog for at least a couple years, if not longer. What helps me is interacting with friends' and family's dogs. Volunteering would be a good idea too. Maybe take it slow if you go that route? Like volunteer just once, then wait a few weeks and see how you feel. If it makes your feelings worse, then don't go back. But if it helps, or at least is tolerable, then try again. Volunteering is great, but it's not for everyone for a lot of reasons, so don't feel bad if it's something that doesn't work for you.
I'll try that out. Thank you. Hope things get better for you, as well.
You're welcome. I know they will, it's just a bit of a process. One step at a time!
Before I had animals of my own, I liked to have a walk to a nearby rural village. There where some dogs, cows, donkeys and horses along the way, and in the end they all learnt that I always passed-by at the same hour and would be waiting for me. I could always find a copuple of minutes for telling them some nice things and sometimes share a treat. It really scratched the ich for me. I eventually ended up bringing some of those animals to my home because I learnt that they were going to be auctioned near a slaughter compount and I preferred to buy them myself before that happened.