Korean Job Discussion Forums

sock · Joined: 07 Oct 2006

What do you think?

I'd like to get a dog. As a kid, we always had at least one dog, and I kind of miss having animals around. A couple of years ago I worked at a woman's home, and she had a dog that I became pretty attached to. I've done the whole puppy training thing so it's not like I have no idea what I'd be getting myself into. I would choose a breed of dog (possibly a puppy) that would be well-suited to my living conditions and lifestyle--no yappy, super high-energy, spaztastic dogs for me. I'm fairly clean and I'm comfortable living a somewhat boring, homebound lifestyle.

I guess what's holding me back is knowing that I'd be away from the house for at least 6-7 hours per day, possibly more. I don't want to have a dog if it will be unhappy because it is neglected, shut up and home alone too much of the time. I also think it's good for dogs to be able to be outdoors. There's a park a few kilometers away that we could visit sometimes, but probably only on weekends, realistically. I don't want to get a dog purely out of selfishness--I want to make sure I can care for it properly, and be able to fully commit to the responsibility it would require. I plan to have the dog for life. I'm not the type to say, oh, well, it's not fun anymore, I'll just let it loose or try to get somebody from Dave's to adopt it.

For those of you who have or have had dogs here in Korea, are you glad you do/did? What problems did you encounter? What advice should I consider?

oneofthesarahs · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Location: Sacheon City

Get a cat instead. A cat could care less if you piss off for 6-7 hours a day. And cats are fun and affectionate when they want to be.

sock · Joined: 07 Oct 2006

I like cats, but I'm allergic to most of them. I also am not fond of the shedding thing. (I've found that dogs generally shed less than cats.) Otherwise a cat would be perfect for my apartment.

thebum · Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Location: North Korea

The Hammer · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:43 am Post subject:

Do you have a yard? If yes, get a dog.

If no, don't get a dog unless you like poop in your dwelling.

Also, cats are for savages.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:06 pm Post subject:

Get an ADULT dog not a puppy if you're gonna be away so much. A puppy with stunted development is sad to see. Getting two puppies is another option, so they give attention to each other, but an adult dog would be ideal for your situation. It would appreciate whatever affection you could give even if just a couple of hours a day. There are so many dogs in need of any affection in this country!

Go to an animal shelter and give a good home for a neglected one. Or contact one of the many waygooks who give away dogs when they leave Korea.

Whatever you do don't buy a puppy: that would compound the problem of puppy selling and do no favours to the puppy, which would need more attention than you could give.

That's my take.

Good luck whatever.

PaperTiger · Joined: 31 May 2005 Location: Ulaanbataar

I suggest that if you have no plan to return to your country of origin with this pet, there's no reason for you to get one. Make some friends instead, they can always wander off if you neglect them..animals don't have that luxury.

VanIslander · Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:37 pm Post subject:

Plenty of expats to get pets from.

Here's someone finding a new home for a hamster, turtle and fish:
http://www.pusanweb.com/classifieds/index.htm

khyber · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Compunction Junction

that's me.

fish is gone.

andrew · Joined: 30 Jan 2003

.....

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Here's another option: get two dogs. That way they'll keep each other company while you're gone.

kalkamagi · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Location: Seoul

i say yes, if only you really stop to consider how bad you want it.

i worked with a girl who got a dog after being here a year, and she was so happy with sadie. she said that her dog really saved her through her time here, and she returned the favor- vet fees, walks, and even took sadie back to canada with her once a year. never saw a happier pet owner.

that being said, there is some sort of social responsibility involved. take the above posters' advice- find one that would otherwise be denied a home.

and if you're not ready for all the emotional/financial involvement, wait until you can.

oh, and i heard they sell ferrets in dongdaemoon, so there's another option.

i_teach_esl · Joined: 07 Sep 2006 Location: baebang, asan/cheonan

for those of you that have pets, how big is your place? im about to move into an officetel next week, and i want 2 cats, but i've pretty much scratched the idea b/c i dont know if it'd be right to have them in that tiny living space.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

I'm not sure cats really need a lot of space, but I don't know for sure. My two cats live in a pretty large apartment, but they only have about three places they like to sit all day each.