I decided to bring my dog in the house today. I live in Texas, and it is already HOT! I have a black lab, Daisy, who I got last fall from the pound; she's about 1 and 1/2 years old. I had been planning on her being an outside dog, since our house is kind of small (about 1600 sq ft), we have two small kids, and Muffy's in here too. I've never had an inside dog before, since my mother was extremely allergic when I was growing up.
But now I'm really having second thoughts about this. Daisy was ok during the winter since it doesn't really get that cold here. But now it is just so hot outside that I feel guilty having her out all the time. I went outside to brush her today, and her fur is just all over the yard. She's shedding by the hand fulls. She's also having such a terrible time with ticks. Plus, since she's a lab, she's so much happier with her family. So, I bathed her and brought her in.
I'm wondering how Muffy will deal with this. Daisy and Muffy have always gotten along in the past (I'd bring Daisy in every now and then). But now Muffy has her kittens. They're in a closet down stairs that I have latched so no one can get in, but Muffy can get out. I've also gated the front entry way where the closet is. That way Daisy can't get anywhere near them. I'm not too worried about Daisy hurting the kittens because she'll never be around them - they'll have to be gated away from the kids.
The problem is that if I decide to keep Daisy in the house permanently, I won't be able to keep a kitten from Muffy's litter. My husband things that a large dog and 2 cats would just be too much, and I have to agree with him. Our house is just too small.
Any comments or suggestions?
But now I'm really having second thoughts about this. Daisy was ok during the winter since it doesn't really get that cold here. But now it is just so hot outside that I feel guilty having her out all the time. I went outside to brush her today, and her fur is just all over the yard. She's shedding by the hand fulls. She's also having such a terrible time with ticks. Plus, since she's a lab, she's so much happier with her family. So, I bathed her and brought her in.
I'm wondering how Muffy will deal with this. Daisy and Muffy have always gotten along in the past (I'd bring Daisy in every now and then). But now Muffy has her kittens. They're in a closet down stairs that I have latched so no one can get in, but Muffy can get out. I've also gated the front entry way where the closet is. That way Daisy can't get anywhere near them. I'm not too worried about Daisy hurting the kittens because she'll never be around them - they'll have to be gated away from the kids.
The problem is that if I decide to keep Daisy in the house permanently, I won't be able to keep a kitten from Muffy's litter. My husband things that a large dog and 2 cats would just be too much, and I have to agree with him. Our house is just too small.
Any comments or suggestions?