It still costs money for the learning insurance and petrol, not to mention my provisional licence. And by the time I learn to drive - I'll have the car to fork out for - meaning I'll have to have extra hours to pay for that...

But I don't expect anyone to understand what I'm going through right now and I don't wish my situation on anyone at all.

what do you do with him on the wednesdays and sundays?

firstly there is no saying if you get countryside work stable work they will let you take your dog. to be honest i doubt they will. why give you a job and then have you not giving your all because you are focusing or worrying about your dog.

also i dont mean to be rude, but you only keep mentioning louie? doesnt benji live with you too? what would happen to him if you took louie to work? like you said in another thread, your OH isnt there, so benji would be left on his own?

all of last summer, i worked 9-5 6 days a week. some days the dogs could come, some days they couldnt. so yes they were left alone. they were let out for a wee by a neighbour (literally just 5/10 minutes outside) and i didnt feel guilty. they got a good walk in the morning and were walked as soon as i got in from work. and yes you know what i was absolutely knackered, it was a job that i was on my feet all day, but my dogs came first. i still went to training on monday and wednesdays, and they got their big walks on sundays. after all it was the money i was bringing in that was paying for my dogs!

you have no rights to have certain days off because of a dog, yes they depend on you. but many manage at home on their own while the owner is out working. they adapt to it, and you have to too. im all for saying that dogs are as much part of the family. but i dont think employers should give you time off for a dog.... if i have any shows i have to make a holiday date. i think a child is a bit different in that respect...

That's the other problem - I don't drive, my neighbours are far and few between and family is way out of the way and in laws are retired and can't drive or are working... so I have no one to let him out. Which is why a 30 hours over 6 days suits me - it's 5 hours - I know I can leave him for 5 hours at a time, 7 if you include traveling (hour there and hour back - I live practically in the middle of nowhere)

But I don't see the point in having a dog if you're not home half the day. I hate those people who have a dog yet hardly have time for it - they may love their dog to bits but it's not fair.

At the end of the day, I am not giving up Louie - he was a gift and he's a living breathing animal that depends on me. Which makes it harder to get a job because I have to think about the money then I have to think about whats fair.. I've been looking for bar work, stable work, countryside work etc - anything that might give me the possibility to have him with me or that has 5- 8 hours during the day or night 5-6 times a week and it's just hard.

They wouldn't expect people to give up their children would they - I just don't understand...

I have training on a Wednesday night and do some gun dog work with him on Sundays.

As it the job I just applied and didn't hear from was employing students - who have more commitments than just Wednesday nights and some Sundays which I found ridiculous. And I'd rather be up front with an employer than say I can do the hours when I can't

But to be honest SB, I feel so low right now, I could do without it, my question had nothing to do with what you're asking, I simply asked if people had been refused or turned down a job because of their dog..

EDIT: How do you suggest I learn to drive without money?

Benjie won't be living with me, no, Benjie will be living with the in laws.

I know all this seems silly to you guys and maybe it is, but I'm not thinking straight at all - I'm exhausted and fed up and annoyed and there is more to this story but it is a bit personal..

Is moving back in with your family a possibility? it just strikes me that by living alone, rurally, without any form of transportation is really limiting your chances of securing work that suits you (and Louie).

I'm a little bit older than you and I'm still at my parents. I COULD just about afford to rent somewhere (either flat/houseshare or a small flat), but that would mean leaving my dogs with my parents. I'd rather not move out without them, so until I'm in a better paid position (and consequently, can afford somewhere I can take 2 out of the 3 dogs with me) I'm staying put. It works for me because when I'm out at work, a family member is 9 times out of 10 indoors with them, solving all "what do I do with the dog(s) while I'm working?" dilemmas.



I would not let this get in the way of you finding a job. New training classes can be found that will fit around your work. Training classes are not essential...a good job that will give you a sense of purpose, confidence, boost your mood, earn you money (most importantly!) IS!

I'm ALOT older and still with my parents! Not a good look at 33 years old...

I'm ALOT older and still with my parents! Not a good look at 33 years old...