Buying a dog while Unemployed UPDATE: Returning dog! (ugh!)

[BelleWDW]

The poor dog... although I guess it's better to return her now, than to return her later on in life when she's become attached to them. Personally, I believe that when you adopt a pet, it's your pet for life! Animal shelters shouldn't be treated like a Walmart!

Huh? You started this thread because you felt they could not take care of dog

They decide to return dog and you are still mad at the inlaws??

 

[Disney Doll]

I understand what you are saying OP.

You watched them make one bad decision...that being getting a dog.

Now they make another decision to return said dog because they couldn't handle it, which you knoew in the first place.

Thankfully, they haven't had the dog too long so it probably hasn't grown really attached and by returning it to the shelter, it'll go to a more suitable home.

I don't think you're mad at them for getting a dog and then mad at them for returning the dog...yuo're mad about one bad decision on top of another.

And yes you know it's none fo your business, which is why you came here to vent.

Having a crazy SIL like I do, I understand in-law vents...

 

[Jennasis]

I just received an email from the in-laws.... they are going to return the dog back to the shelter tomorrow and ask for a refund (the nerve! I thought an "adoption fee" is more or less considered a donation to the shelter). They are claiming the dog is too hyper for any of them to handle - jumping on the couch, chewing blankets... (it just needs training!) It's a 2 year old Beagle-mix. They were warned by the shelter that she would be high-maintenance, but adopted her anyway because "she is cute!"

The poor dog... although I guess it's better to return her now, than to return her later on in life when she's become attached to them. Personally, I believe that when you adopt a pet, it's your pet for life! Animal shelters shouldn't be treated like a Walmart!

True, but one would think you'd be thrilled that the dog was returned since you were so adamant against them having it the first place.

They are danged if they do and danged if they don't I suppose.

 

[mumom95]

I just received an email from the in-laws.... they are going to return the dog back to the shelter tomorrow and ask for a refund (the nerve! I thought an "adoption fee" is more or less considered a donation to the shelter). They are claiming the dog is too hyper for any of them to handle - jumping on the couch, chewing blankets... (it just needs training!) It's a 2 year old Beagle-mix. They were warned by the shelter that she would be high-maintenance, but adopted her anyway because "she is cute!"

The poor dog... although I guess it's better to return her now, than to return her later on in life when she's become attached to them. Personally, I believe that when you adopt a pet, it's your pet for life! Animal shelters shouldn't be treated like a Walmart!

I have a beagle. I love this dog more than any animal I've ever had, but he is extremely high maintenance. You only have to do about 5 minutes of research to find out that beagles are high energy dogs.

Vent away. To me, your in-laws sound like losers. It's probably best for the dog to be returned right away, but I have no respect for people who decide to go out and get a pet, then decide after a few days it's too much work and want to return it without putting any effort into trying to train the dog.

 

[C.Ann]

Gotta go with the "none of your business" group here - on top of which, you don't know every single aspect of their financial lives and if you think you do, you're kidding yourself..

Secondly, it's sad that you would refer to them as "lower class" - regardless of what their income is..

 

[alexandria674]

(more info in post #12)

(Update in Post #19 on in-laws Returning the dog)

I often disagree with things my in-laws do... so of course this is a biased "vent."

My FIL was a teacher, his school completely closed this past June. He is now unemployed. He hasn't done much to look for a new job ~ he says he is "off" for the Summer since he's a teacher. He will start collecting Unemployment in September (his teaching contract is still technically paying through Aug). He says he wants a job that doesn't have set hours (basically he decides when he wants to show up and go home) and he wants a job with Summers completely off. (good luck finding that!)

I woud classify my in-laws as "lower class." They live paycheck to paycheck. They still have 2 kids living at home; ages 13 and 11. The kids have been begging for a dog, my in-laws gave in and just got one yesterday. I don't believe this is the time for them to be getting a dog, as the financial responsibility of owning one adds up.

Ugh! They just don't think these kinds of decisions through enough. Soon they will be living on Unemployment (and that's 60% of a teacher's salary!) and I truly believe they will struggle financially. It's not my place to tell them they are wrong though... so that's why I'm venting here. Thanks!

What's your opinion? Do you agree or disagree if someone with similar circumstances buys a dog??

Huh? I don't understand the insinuation here. Are they low class because they live pay check to pay check? I thought class had nothing to do with money but rather how a person conducts themselves.

I think this is a mind your own business thing. Sure, they probably shouldn't of got the dog but they gave it back. It is rough on a dog but then again why should a dog be at a place where the people may not be able to keep it.

 

[Nancyg56]

I understood your frustration. The IL's take money from you because they cannot afford entrance into a fair and then use the money to make purchases. Then take in a dog that is going to cost a lot of money, at least initially. As others have said, one bad decision after another without concern for tha ramifications of that decision.

I have issues with folks who treat animals as disposable trinkets that get taken back or neglected when the novelty wears off. Thank goodness the sheler was willing to take the dog back. Beagles are wonderful pets but they sure are a handfull as puppies!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I have issues with folks who treat animals as disposable trinkets that get taken back or neglected when the novelty wears off.

ITA! DH and I raised DD (9 yo) to think the same way. She found out her half sister gave away two kittens. DD freaked out on the 30 yo half sister telling her that pets were not just something you gave away when you were tired of them. Wanted to know why she even got them in the first place. It was a pretty heated discussion and the 30 yo finally admitted that they were cute when she got them but they weren't cute anymore. I thought DD would absolutely lose it on her.
And no, I did not step in. I figure that the wrath of the 9 yo was much better than what I was thinking.

OP - just be happy that the dog has another chance for a happy home where someone will be able to financially care for him.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I can definitely understand your frustration. At least the dog will be better off now that they've returned it but good luck to them on getting their money back (and they don't deserve it back, IMO.)

 

[BelleWDW]

My FIL was a teacher, his school completely closed this past June. He is now unemployed. He says he wants a job that doesn't have set hours (basically he decides when he wants to show up and go home) and he wants a job with Summers completely off. (good luck finding that!)



Actually-a lot of ex Teachers work for places like Sylvan or Tutor on their own. My friend tutors for $ 50 an hour most afternoons!

I woud classify my in-laws as "lower class." They live paycheck to paycheck. They still have 2 kids living at home; ages 13 and 11.
??

Since your DH has such young siblings, I'm guessing you are in your 20's.

What is your income and 'class"?

 

[luvwinnie]

I can totally empathize with your feelings of anger and frustration. I am trying to dissuade my niece's friend right now from getting a high-maintenance purebred puppy right now.

 

[Heidict]

Since your DH has such young siblings, I'm guessing you are in your 20's.

What is your income and 'class"?

Why is it any business of yours how much money she makes? You expect her to tell a perfect stranger on the internet her income? And what does her age have to do with anything?

OP: Unlike most of the other posts, I'm not going to tell you to mind your own business. You don't live in a vacuum, therefore you are going to observe things about friends and family members and come to your own conclusions about them. We all do it. Now if you were going to say something to them, then I would. However, you are venting. Yours isn't the only one on CB doing that.

Losing a job is never a good thing and it can be especially demoralizing and depressing. I can understand him wanting to relax a bit before jumping back into work but it sounds like he needs to set some more realistic goals for what he is available for. While his "ideal" job sounds great, I have the feeling it would be extremely difficult to find.

The inlaws do sound like irresponsible pet owners though and I hope they never get another pet. Glad to see they brought the dog back. I hope he finds a wonderful home.

 

[edandcolleen1995]

Since your DH has such young siblings, I'm guessing you are in your 20's.

What is your income and 'class"?

What does this have to do with it?

OP is venting. She has some valid points. Yet you want to pick things apart, go off topic and then attack her...

 

[babytrees]

I hope the dog isn't considered unadoptable now (at one of our shelters after a dog is returned, it has one more chance and then it is put down).

We might be considered one of those silly people for adopting an animal while I am unemployed...actually the cat adopted the high school marching band (she somehow got herself stuck in the building) and I was the easiest mark. But this kitty has had a checkup by another parent and offers of if she doesn't work out here to take her. She might also be pregnant We have one band member whose asked for first pick and then if she does have kittens I see a lot of begging going on around the marching band.

We have adopted one cat and a ferret adopted us last year and now this kitty...I am an easy mark.

 

[justhat]

Since your DH has such young siblings, I'm guessing you are in your 20's.

What is your income and 'class"?

I can't see what this has to do with anything at all, but fwiw, my husband has a younger sibling like the OP, we are 29yo and he's a physician. So our income is pretty substantial, and by the time my husband is say 32yo, it will very likely be twice what my in-laws make and they own a transportation buisness and do pretty well. But my point is being young really doesn't have a whole lot to do with income in many cases.

To the OP, I don't think you need to mind your own business. I mean, you did, it's not like you called them and complained, or told them not to get a dog or anything like that. You were just venting that people who are unemployed with no job prospects and will be struggling to support themselves in the very near future just adopted another dependant that they likely can't afford. As much as they may have wanted a dog, I agree with you that it doesn't seem like now would have been the best time.

 

[RitaE]

I can't see what this has to do with anything at all, but fwiw, my husband has a younger sibling like the OP, we are 29yo and he's a physician. So our income is pretty substantial, and by the time my husband is say 32yo, it will very likely be twice what my in-laws make and they own a transportation buisness and do pretty well. But my point is being young really doesn't have a whole lot to do with income in many cases.

Regardless, I'm betting all the teachers on this board just LOVE LOVE LOVE having their profession referred to as "low class."

 

[justhat]

Regardless, I'm betting all the teachers on this board just LOVE LOVE LOVE having their profession referred to as "low class."

Oh, hmm, I didn't even read it like that! I was thinking she meant their lifestyle or behavior, not his profession. Was that really the intention? I can't imagine anyone thinking any teachers are 'low class'.

 

[disykat]

I'm a teacher and I don't feel like I was referred to as lower class. I'm very responsible with my money, so why would I feel like she was insulting me? What the OP was referring to is a culture of poverty where people think "yea! I've got some money in my hand I'd better spend it quick!" rather than thinking through how that money might work best for them. She did not appear to be referring to a specific income or career, but rather her inlaws attitudes about money.

 

[Disney Doll]

Apparently I am the only one who seems to be able to understand the OP's description of her frustrations with her in-laws.

Perhaps her choice of the words "low class" were poor...I understood her to mean "classless" as in having very little class.

And, quite frankly, "class" has nothing to do with being a teacher or any other profession...it has to do with behavior. I don't recall the OP saying that all teachers were low class. She said her in-laws were low class. And yet, someone has made the very BROAD leap from "my in-laws are lower class" to "all teachers are low class". How does that happen???????

In a PP, alexandria says class has nothing to do with money but rather with how a person conducts themself. So let's look at conduct in this case:

1. Not doing anything about job hunting for 2 months because you want your summer off. To those of us who have to work for the whole year, this is a ridiculous argument.

2. Living paycheck to paycheck when you have the ability (based on having a decent profession) not to have to do that.

3. Getting a pet without thinking through the ramifications of what it entails and while looking down the gun at collecting unemployment at 60% of your salary when you already live paycheck to paycheck on your full salary.

4. Taking a 2 week vacation, crashing at your childrens' home for 3 days. Having your children pay admission for your entrance into a fair. Not thanking them for the treat, & instead saying "hey, I just saved $40!" And then proceeding to buy $40 worth of car wax and eye glass cleaner from the vendor stands.

5. Buying a cat that you euthanize because it inconveniently needed expensive, non-futile, medical care.

You know what...I agree with the OP...her in-laws are low class. And his profession has nothing to do with it.

 

[Kim&Chris]

Apparently I am the only one who seems to be able to understand the OP's description of her frustrations with her in-laws.

Perhaps her choice of the words "low class" were poor...I understood her to mean "classless" as in having very little class.

And, quite frankly, "class" has nothing to do with being a teacher or any other profession...it has to do with behavior. I don't recall the OP saying that all teachers were low class. She said her in-laws were low class. And yet, someone has made the very BROAD leap from "my in-laws are lower class" to "all teachers are low class". How does that happen???????

In a PP, alexandria says class has nothing to do with money but rather with how a person conducts themself. So let's look at conduct in this case:

1. Not doing anything about job hunting for 2 months because you want your summer off. To those of us who have to work for the whole year, this is a ridiculous argument.

2. Living paycheck to paycheck when you have the ability (based on having a decent profession) not to have to do that.

3. Getting a pet without thinking through the ramifications of what it entails and while looking down the gun at collecting unemployment at 60% of your salary when you already live paycheck to paycheck on your full salary.

4. Taking a 2 week vacation, crashing at your childrens' home for 3 days. Having your children pay admission for your entrance into a fair. Not thanking them for the treat, & instead saying "hey, I just saved $40!" And then proceeding to buy $40 worth of car wax and eye glass cleaner from the vendor stands.

5. Buying a cat that you euthanize because it inconveniently needed expensive, non-futile, medical care.

You know what...I agree with the OP...her in-laws are low class. And his profession has nothing to do with it.

Disney Doll, I agree 100%. I am always amazed at how posts get twisted and attacked on these boards.