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Your lifestyle sounds totally amenable to having a dog, although if you’ve recently had quite a bit of upheaval, maybe waiting until you have more complete stability would help.
It’s pretty important to have people who you can rely on to walk/dogsit when needed, and you need to socialise the dog and get it prepared for that.
Are you tied to a breed or prepared to rescue? We’re meeting so many COVID puppies in the park and so few rescues. It’s quite depressing when you know how many dogs are in need.
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A small lurcher would be perfect. They need one good run a day and then sleep, mostly. You will pick up a network very quickly by talking to other dog owners. They are fantastic for mental well-being
kl
Psmith
@Velocio
Am tempted by a springer spaniel.
Is this bad? I know I've not had the greatest mental health recently and that this is a super long term commitment.
I'm looking for a companion, one that will sit beside me on the sofa, go for 30-60 minute walks twice per day... and I work from home always so it won't be left alone for 8 hours every day.
Once in a while it will be alone for 4-5 hours in an evening, when I visit the theatre or opera.
The life I want has a dog in it. I live in a flat so that's not great, but I can afford a dog, have time and love for a dog.
Do you need a good local network to care for the animal when you're away? I guess this is like having a child right? Getting a dog means walking it and discovering others with dogs and this means I'd meet others.
And yes... ring warning bells over a spaniel... a high energy breed that may be easy to train but will get bored without a lot of engagement.