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My sister is trying to get my dad a 1 year old standard poodle. There is absolutely nothing I can do. If she doesn't get this one, she will find another. She's very persuasive.
My dad is almost 80, in poor health, has an unfenced acreage, and doesn't have a clue how to train a dog. He has two knee replacements, can't walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath, and his idea of exercising a dog is opening the door. He feeds the cheapest crap he can buy, doesn't go to the vet until things have been happening for months, and doesn't believe in brushing a dog or even going to the groomers. When I told him poodles need grooming every 6 weeks and it's $100+, he said he likes the natural look and can get it groomed every 6 months. He travels up to a month each year.
He changes the cat's water less than once a week and doesn't wash the bowls so they are coated in slime and algae because washing them is too much work. She had a massive uti a few months ago. He did the same with the previous dos bowls. Didn't even bother to wash them until they were encrusted with food residue, even though he has a dishwasher. The kitty litter reeks and is cleaned less than once a month.. Luckily the cat mostly refuses to use it and just goes outside.
I have told them both that they are stupid and the dog is going to be hit by a car. Dad thinks my spoo is great, and the standard poodle he had before I was born that was very jumpy and nuts is a fluke. Yes, Annie is great, but she is almost too much dog for ME and I am far more fit and active. And it takes HOURS of work and training each week to make her an awesome dog who is calm and focused in the house and listens.
If he gets it, the dog will either be dead in a year (we had two dogs killed by cars when I was growing up and I am still angry, and his previous standard was as well), or it will end up at my house. If he doesn't get it, he will get some other dog.
I am really mad. Just ranting here because you will understand how stupid of an idea a young spoo is for an elderly man in poor health who isn't even interested in putting in the effort to keep a water bowl clean.
My dad is almost 80, in poor health, has an unfenced acreage, and doesn't have a clue how to train a dog. He has two knee replacements, can't walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath, and his idea of exercising a dog is opening the door. He feeds the cheapest crap he can buy, doesn't go to the vet until things have been happening for months, and doesn't believe in brushing a dog or even going to the groomers. When I told him poodles need grooming every 6 weeks and it's $100+, he said he likes the natural look and can get it groomed every 6 months. He travels up to a month each year.
He changes the cat's water less than once a week and doesn't wash the bowls so they are coated in slime and algae because washing them is too much work. She had a massive uti a few months ago. He did the same with the previous dos bowls. Didn't even bother to wash them until they were encrusted with food residue, even though he has a dishwasher. The kitty litter reeks and is cleaned less than once a month.. Luckily the cat mostly refuses to use it and just goes outside.
I have told them both that they are stupid and the dog is going to be hit by a car. Dad thinks my spoo is great, and the standard poodle he had before I was born that was very jumpy and nuts is a fluke. Yes, Annie is great, but she is almost too much dog for ME and I am far more fit and active. And it takes HOURS of work and training each week to make her an awesome dog who is calm and focused in the house and listens.
If he gets it, the dog will either be dead in a year (we had two dogs killed by cars when I was growing up and I am still angry, and his previous standard was as well), or it will end up at my house. If he doesn't get it, he will get some other dog.
I am really mad. Just ranting here because you will understand how stupid of an idea a young spoo is for an elderly man in poor health who isn't even interested in putting in the effort to keep a water bowl clean.