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armypanda_

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Is there enough time with ROTC to take care of a dog? I am aware of the service requirement after college, so my next question is, is there enough time when you’re serving AD to take care of a dog?
 
If you could manage the demands on your time, there is always the trouble renting with a pet. Then, when you commission, you could be deployed anywhere, not all countries or duty stations are amendable to pets. Just my two cents. I'm a dog person, too.
 
As for college time, you will have classes spread out throughout the day, as well as ROTC obligations and maybe studying at a lab, the library or with a class partner. You will be away from home for long periods of time. Is that fair to a dog? On active duty, you could be deployed or underway for months at a time. DS is currently in Japan and lives alone. HIs ship is getting ready to head out until after the first of the year. Once active duty, if you were married or living with someone with a "normal" lifestyle, then it would be workable.
 
ProudDad17 said:
As for college time, you will have classes spread out throughout the day, as well as ROTC obligations and maybe studying at a lab, the library or with a class partner. You will be away from home for long periods of time. Is that fair to a dog? On active duty, you could be deployed or underway for months at a time. DS is currently in Japan and lives alone. HIs ship is getting ready to head out until after the first of the year. Once active duty, if you were married or living with someone with a "normal" lifestyle, then it would be workable.
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What a coincidence, I just read about a guy taking his dog to Japan on AD. Fair points made.
 
I’ve had the same dog since high school. Great dog, love him to death and wouldn’t trade him, but he has spent four years of college living with someone else, two years while I was overseas with someone else, and now about a week every month when I’m traveling for work with someone else. Dogs are a serious commitment. Figure out your time available after college (would absolutely not recommend during college) when you have an actual idea what your schedule looks like and then make your decision. Plenty of people make it work as single LTs and I’d say mine is worth it, but a lot of people also don’t realize how much work they’re adding by adding a furry family member.
 
No, you won’t be able to take care of a dog. Maybe in college. What happens when you go to the field for a week? For an exercise overseas for a month? What about a year overseas? You will be asking friends to watch them and it’s not a great thing. What happens when no one can? Boarding is expensive. Unless you have a spouse, not a great idea in any way. Wait until married or out of the military.
 
armypanda_ said:
What a coincidence, I just read about a guy taking his dog to Japan on AD. Fair points made.
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Well, possibly, but they cannot take them on a ship. So, if that is part of the equation, not a good idea. Nothing in the military is carved in stone.

You may be deployed AD to a base, and have a house and a dog. Then boom, one morning you wake up and have orders to XYZ where your dog is not allowed. Makes it difficult to arrange care. There is an entire FB page of AD military trying to find people to foster their dogs. It's incredibly sad. And there was one recently where the fosters took many dogs in, and then disappeared. Frantic military members trying to find their pets.
 
Heatherg21 said:
Well, possibly, but they cannot take them on a ship. So, if that is part of the equation, not a good idea. Nothing in the military is carved in stone.

You may be deployed AD to a base, and have a house and a dog. Then boom, one morning you wake up and have orders to XYZ where your dog is not allowed. Makes it difficult to arrange care. There is an entire FB page of AD military trying to find people to foster their dogs. It's incredibly sad. And there was one recently where the fosters took many dogs in, and then disappeared. Frantic military members trying to find their pets.
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Oh wow, that is sad. Good information
 
It isn't just a matter of sufficient time but when that time is available. What do you do when you're PTing at 6AM 3 or 4 days a week and Fido needs his morning walk? What do you do when your AD and on base from 7AM to whenever?

Having a dog is the same commitment as having a kid. Without that commitment you're being unfair to the dog. It's not all about you.
 
kinnem said:
It isn't just a matter of sufficient time but when that time is available. What do you do when you're PTing at 6AM 3 or 4 days a week and Fido needs his morning walk? What do you do when your AD and on base from 7AM to whenever?

Having a dog is the same commitment as having a kid. Without that commitment you're being unfair to the dog. It's not all about you.
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I wake up at 5 so i could walk it before hand, but i get what you’re saying. We had a dog before and didn’t treat him well at all. I miss him and wish we were less selfish and more responsible. Don’t want to make the same mistakes again
 
NJROTC-CC said:
Don’t tell anyone that you are allergic to anything
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I’m not… it’s not on my record and “formally” I’m not allergic to anything. It’s not serious anyways, just causes some discomfort.

Not sure if i should post this
 
So, if you have free time, now or in the future, consider signing up to volunteer at a shelter. Not to take one home yet, but to scratch the itch and give you the time with a dog that you are craving. So many shelters need dog walkers, people to assist with feeding, cleaning, play, etc., you get the picture.

You said the dog you had previously hadn't had quite the life you thought he should have. Giving selflessly to comfort dogs while they wait for their forever home would be cool. Volunteering is always good.

Or, you could be paid to be a pro dog walker!
 
Heatherg21 said:
So, if you have free time, now or in the future, consider signing up to volunteer at a shelter. Not to take one home yet, but to scratch the itch and give you the time with a dog that you are craving. So many shelters need dog walkers, people to assist with feeding, cleaning, play, etc., you get the picture.

You said the dog you had previously hadn't had quite the life you thought he should have. Giving selflessly to comfort dogs while they wait for their forever home would be cool. Volunteering is always good.

Or, you could be paid to be a pro dog walker!
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I’ve tried… my dads not letting me volunteer anymore and everyone in my neighborhood likes walking their own dogs. And i live in a pretty big neighborhood. I even paid fedex to print some fancy dog walking fliers, saying i would walk them for free at any hours with my resume attached. No responses. And I can’t drive to another neighborhood cause my dad doesn’t let me drive. Maybe in college if i dont get into an SA
 
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