A dog equals giving up

Hahaha. If I was worried about paying for repairs on something I could just pull some equity out of my brokerage or bonds or market funds or house equity or my investment properties. But I don’t because I’m much younger, richer and not a broke Boomer who has to rely on social security like you..

Have you ever wondered if there was something wrong with you? Like a depressed clown. Your act makes people laugh, everyone flocks to see you and you bring them joy.

Underneath the clown make up, you're not laughing. No joy emanates from your face. The days are dark and cold. After the laughing crowds go home, you realize none of them really care about you. You are a useful idiot that is used to entertain.

That is my condition. I am only a pawn in the circus of life.

Hahahah what?? Seems like a projection. No Boomer, my life is brilliant. I don’t get too lonely with my wife and DOG also. Keep justifying being broke slow weirdos on this site.

One day I really bombed in a 5k. My main rival, a guy named goofy Pete, blasted me and I had no chance. Didn't place in my age group, and I looked really weird in the race photos they emailed to me the next day.

So, while driving home, I stopped on this bridge that crossed a lake. I took off my runner's watch, started to spin like a hammer thrower, and let it sail. It was oddly satisfying watching it spin around in the sky and then splash into the water.

Then I felt dumb. So I drive straight to kmart and bought a new watch. I just know goofy Pete was laughing at me.

You could say the same things about kids. Yes, they're burdensome. They cramp your style. They can be annoying, both to you and to others. That's not really the point. Humans are happy when they have meaningful relationships and feel useful and valued by others.

If you're 60 years old and you think the point of life is convenience and pleasure, you're living an empty existence and I feel sorry for you.

Actually, we're pretty much living in a golden age for dog ownership. When I got my first dog, the average owner didn't know the first thing about training. Now, it's incredible how proven training methods have become mainstream. Reactive dogs used to be about 80% of what I saw in a city. People acted like it was normal for dogs to fight, and all dogs had to be kept apart. Now, I see very few reactive dogs, and they're very polite at socializing with strange dogs and people. I constantly see people with little treat pouches, using every walk as a training opportunity. In 2005, I can't recall every seeing someone do that unless I was at an obedience club or something.

Suppose this guy is not available? I do a lot of trip overseas where I only decide to go the day or two before. And I have often extended the length of the trip while I'm there. If you really want complete flexibility a pet of any kind does not work.

Your whole post is stupid but this complaint is the stupidest part of all. I happily watch friends' dogs because I also like their dogs, and they watch my dogs because they like my dogs. The dogs also like the other dogs. There's not "lack of understanding of others' time." Dogs are great. You're just bitter.

They feel obligated. It’s kind of sad.

Dogs smell, are expensive, loud, a major lifestyle cramp, dirty af, and a potential liability. They are also a massive environmental burden which - always cracks me up when self-righteous idiots preach about environmental responsibility but also own multiple large dogs. Not sure what the appeal is.

Lonely? Go out make friends, spend time with loved ones, or start a family. If you are having trouble doing that, it probably means you need to work on yourself.

Unconditional love? How is that a positive thing? I want a partner or kids who choose love me, not a dog that is programmed to be "affectionate" because I feed it.

Being more active? I can go outside to walk or run on my own, as shocking as that sounds. And I don't have to pick up turds.

Even a lot of service dog tasks (e.g. blood sugar monitoring) can be done far cheaper, safer, and more effective through modern technology.

Pets, especially dogs, have been part of my whole life. My yellow lab just turned 5 and yeah, silly as it is I sang happy birthday to him and gave him cooked deer meat for breakfast. And we'll go an extra mile on our walk(5 total) today. I'd run with him, but my left hamstrings are torn beyond repair as of a couple of weeks ago. Running together is what I'm going to miss most.

We get it bro you're autistic and weird and hate beautiful things

Dogs are such incredible companions though, they bring out the best in everyone.

I don’t like or trust people that don’t like dogs.

Dogs r dumb

Make friends with other dog owners - they sit your dog when you go away and you sit theirs when they go away. Problem solved.

I love this story :)

Yea, I lived down the street. Great dog, super friendly. But I always thought the dog chewed the holes in the boat hull.

My dog absolutely loves the kennel. It is like dog park vacation for her. I've never asked someone to watch my dog, not even close relatives. It is expensive, but does not stop us from taking trips. I know people who won't travel because of pets, but that is their choice, not a necessity.

Maybe it’s Deno - he spends a lot of time on his knees!!