Jeez!! Really??

It appears obvious from your post that even though you say you "get the companionship part" of owning a dog, I don't think you really do. To those of us who are dog owners, they are like a member of our family, and are treated as such. Most dog owners in TV are responsible for the dogs as far as keeping them on leashes, and picking up after them. Unfortunately, there are a few that give the rest of us a bad reputation. You should consider getting one, it might change your position. They bring so much love and joy to their owners, I couldn't imagine life without one.

Perhaps you'll get it when you have a baby or when are in a hospital or nursing home & someone needs to take care of your mess.

If you’re asking this question then you obviously don’t like dogs.

What makes you think having a dog is related to being retired ?
Just because YOU apparently don’t care for dogs doesn’t make YOUR way of life the correct way to exist.
Perhaps something happened to you in that Fox hole that needs attention.

Dogs and humans go back tens of thousands of years together. A dog will never divorce a human but a human will divorce another human. They are the only things that give up conditional love unconditionally. If you're so upset about a few poops not being picked up feel free to bring a pooper scooper with you when you take a walk

Dogs bring so much love into our lives. Not once has Scrappy our mini schnauzer ever said; "Mom you look fat in those pants". She loves us unconditionally . What's not to love about that?

I live my German Shepherd and she sits in my passenger seat on our golf cart all the time. She loves the ride because she knows we’re going to a dog park.

Pointless
 

I'm going out to buy two dogs to walk around the neighborhood.

Did anyone ask for your opinion? I will keep my dog and you can keep your opinions.

Try it…
 

You’ll like it!

I had a grandfather who had an attitude towards animals similar to yours. If he were still here I would tell him that he missed one of the joys of life by not experiencing the love of a pet. I hope you find joy in some other aspect of your life.

If you have to ask the answer will disappoint

I've had a dog pretty much all of my life. What a joy they are! Good thing your opinion doesn't matter to me in the least.

In general, I like dogs. What I’m not too crazy about are their own owners by-passing THEIR yards and using their neighbors as a place to relieve themselves. The dogs don’t know any better. And it appears either do their owners. Even when poo is picked up, there is generally a smear. I cut my own grass and in the summer I am bare-footed. Get my drift?? Everyone here has their own lawn..... use it!

Thank you

So...you join this forum, and the first thing outta your keyboard is to diss a large segment of The Villages population? This forum already has its share of whiners and curmudgeons...not sure there is room for one more. Perhaps you can learn to be a happy guy...but only if you get a dog.

Dogs
 

1st I have been a dog lover my entire life, BUT in retirement I have no intention of being a slave to a dog. Limiting what I can do, where I can go, and how long I can stay is not part of my retirement plans. I totally understand your point of view. Be prepared for the name callers and haters because your opinion is different than theirs. I'm happy for you if you enjoy dog responsibilities and costs. NOW TO THOSE DOG OWNERS PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET AND DISPOSE OF IT IN THE PROPER WAY IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Dogs
 

Since dogs generally live 10-17 years, most of us retired with dogs (two Dobermans here), bought our dogs when we weren’t close to retirement. However, now retired they are part of the family. I imagine once dogs pass in their senior years, many won’t be replaced. Unless, they end up alone after a spouse dies, a dog helps one feel like someone else is in the house and they dish out endless affection, and makes one feel needed….that too is reasoning enough to have a fur love bug in the house.

Oh your bag broke! lol

If I were to come up on a burning car with 5 people and a dog inside... the dog is going to make it out safely.
So you don't like dogs but you're bragging about being in a fox hole. You jumped in the fox hole because of other dogs or other humans??? Oh yeah, other humans that you still choose to live and communicate with.
Ever had to run for cover because of a dog with a gun, grenade, agent O, chlorine etc? I haven't. And you're worried about a little poo on your lawn. lol
.
If you had a dog you would realize it's about the only living thing in this world that would sacrifice it's own life to save yours.

So john why the part about the foxhole. What does that have to do with anything? Bet your one of the non-combatants who wear those stupid hats.

Wow
 

Just wow. You’d save a dog and let the people die?
Just…wow.
You just proved the posters point ….

No meds today, I see! When I moved here in 2005, at the age of 59, I said something similar about why people would have dogs in early retirement, yet I wasn't as caustic as you. At that time, I was very active with golf, pickleball, traveling and socializing. Now I am 75 and not traveling anymore, so I adopted a couple of rescue dogs. Best thing I have done in years. I hadn't had dogs in 28 years and I love having them around. Lighten up and try to understand others!

Dogs
 

I am sick of people complaining about how we live in The Villages! If you don’t like it move the hell out of here.

We work all our lives to enjoy our retirement and if my dog gives me comfort and pleasure it is none of your business.

GET OVER IT! Grumpy old man.

Ever seen what a lawnmower can do to a bare foot? I have... It's not pretty...

Nobody ever said it wasn't!

Hey, I just read a great book. It's called War Dogs. You should read it and then you might understand the connection and relationship between people and dogs...or not..:doggie:

I don't own a dog. I did when we had kids and lived in the country. Down here, I refuse to have one.

Banging away at or about a minority representation....again....still!

It does provide an outlet....for something.

OP with age comes wisdom

once you acquire a little wisdom you'll understand that not everyone shares your vision of how life should be lived and what brings joy into their lives...quite a lot of people get a whole lot of happiness out of having a pooch in their home

you're new here...chill out a little, you haven't got that much runway left in life anyway if you've moved to TV

if you don't want anyone's pooch to piddle or poop on your grass, put out a sign...there's a few of those signs around and folks with puppies will respect that

(p.s. I get that you were using the 'fox hole' comment as an analogy, not in the literal sense...just a heads up, those that have actually sheltered in one tend to not be cavalier about it...it's akin to a cancer survivor hearing someone that's never lived through cancer referring to some weed in their lawn as spreading like a cancer)

Giving human characteristics to animals, inanimate objects or natural phenomena is a human trait called “to anthropomorphize.” This condition is often exhibited by those who also suffer from cognitive dissonance. In psychology, cognitive dissonance is the mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time, performs an action that is contradictory to one or more beliefs, ideas or values, or is confronted by new information that conflicts with existing beliefs, ideas, or values. Just thought you might not be aware of these symptoms or recognize them when displayed as many if not most Village dog owners do. (I understand the term “owner” is now considered to be a “White Supremacist” term and may trigger someone and turn this thread into a racist subject. A lesser used and understood term is “ Eggshell skulls”. In the modern world, it seems, everyone’s skulls are susceptible to cracking at the slightest provocation, which this forum seems to demonstrate is true).

Yea! Another whiny dog post. You know what, stay in your lane. You don't like dogs.... don't get one. Who are you to judge other people and how they care for their dogs. If they want to pull them, or push them, in a stroller or bike trailer... what's it to you? Is it any skin off your nose? No.....

I don't know what I would do without Tyler, my ShihTzu. Since my wife passed away. He has been a selfless companion and friend.

You seem confused. If you and my dog were in the proverbial rowboat, do you think I would save a total stranger over a dog that I love? Why do you think you would be more important to me than my dog?

Oh my, there are so many responses I could give you, but I will make this brief and to the point. Were it not for my dog, my sole companion, I don’t know how I would have made it through the pandemic. She is a constant source of happiness for me. Yes, we go for golf cart rides and she has her own golf cart seat which is elevated and tethered. To quote you, “what part of the brain doesn’t understand this?” I assume that you never had a dog. I’ve had 13 in my life and each one has made my life better. I’ve never met a dog I didn’t like and somehow I think if I ever met you I wouldn’t be able to say the same.

It’s none of your business and not your place to judge.

Thank you Dr. Phil...

I simply tell those people, "I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you"...

Their lack of understanding and compassion is not my problem...

Yes, having a dog is work. But so was having your kids or anything else you might be passionate about. But the rewards are endless!
Human nature, a need to love and be loved. First off, dogs give off endorphins that are calming to humans. 2nd, now that the kids are grown, have their own families, people need to have a purpose. Taking care of a dog is like taking care a baby. You love them , feed them , take care of them. You’re mommy and daddy again.
Plus, giving a dog a living home is such a feel good feeling.
Love my fur babies!!!