My husband and I decided a while ago not to have any pets at this time of our lives. Although we love animals and enjoy their companionship, we also love the freedom of being able to pick up and go at a moment’s notice without worrying about arranging for their care. Fortunately, I am able to get my furry fixes in other ways from time to time.
We were maneuvering our shopping cart through the Costco parking lot when we happened upon this handsome boy. After peering into his soulful eyes, I was tempted to go back inside and buy him one of those mega-sized bags of dog food… or maybe several Costco hot dogs.
Carlos lets us take care of him while his “A-Team” staff is away. As long as we feed him regularly, provide fresh water, and scoop his poop, he allows a few cuddles and ear scratches. We are very happy to be of service.
Sunday Stills is a weekly photography link-up co-hosted by Terri Webster Schrandt on her blog Second Wind Leisure Perspectives. Each week there is a new word prompt to inspire a shared photo (or photos). Follow this link to learn more about it, see other submissions, and to share your own.
Retirementally Challenged 
Cute dog and sort of the opposite of what you’d expect. Instead of worrying about an owner who left up the windows, this time it’s whether he’ll either jump out or someone will steal him! He sure is cute, though.
I got the feeling that dog wasn’t going anywhere. He looked pretty content.
My wife and I are on the same wavelength. The care of pets takes too much of our precious time and we too would like to have the freedom to spontaneously start a new adventure without being burdened down.
Maybe someone should start a Rent-a-Pet service for those of us who want the companionship while we are home, but don’t want the responsibility when we decide to travel.
Good idea!
Alas, I’m not there yet although I’m older than you. I will probably take the pets to the nursing home with me! 🙂
I can’t imagine you ever being cat-free. You get such pleasure out of them and they love you. I’d want to go to a nursing home (when the time comes, that is) that had pets on staff!
That’s a good plan!
We love animals too, but prefer other peoples, too. That St. Bernard is beautiful. I’ve always adored them as puppies.
I imagine I’ll have another pet – a dog or a cat – at some point, just not right now.
Aww, these fur babies are so cute! I see you are snapping photos of everything! The dog image speaks volumes! My cat is now 13 and he will be our last. Aero is almost 8 and will probably live to 14-15 yrs, and Brodie is only a year-and-half (Boykins typically see age 15). That calculates out to our ages of 71 when Brodie goes to the Rainbow Bridge. Luckily he is small and will fit in our trailer when we really retire! I’m glad you get to cat-sit now and then, I would miss being around any animals!
When someone gets a pet, it really is a commitment. You really have to see beyond the cute factor and realize how much they will depend on you – now and for a long, long time. For now, I’m happy to get a furry fix now and then. Fun Sunday Stills prompt this time, Terri!
I’ve heard and read, up here in Sacramento, so many folks buy their kids tortoises and baby ducks for Easter or other events, then not realizing the commitment, let them loose in City parks and ponds. Deplorable!
I couldn’t leave our Roxy in a Costco parking lot for fear someone would steal her! All that smooshy cuteness is hard to resist! ~ Lynn
That dog was pretty big and he looked awfully content to just sit there and people-watch. But, I know what you mean about the concern that someone might try to take the dog.
I LOVE these photos!!
Thank you! It’s hard to take a bad picture of such cuteness!
Both very cute! We used to have cats but made the same decision as you when the last one died. I also occasionally get to catsit for friends. They used to have 5 but are now down to one – I have a feeling when Oscar goes that will be it for them too.
More and more of my retired friends are making the same decision. Better that than getting a pet that won’t receive the care it deserves.
After my dear little Poppy passes on, I do hope I can model you and your husband in petlessness. I love my cat, but she is my tether, and at a time of my life that I feel it important to be out doing the active things I can do now, but maybe not so much in the future. I hope I can get my fixes in small ways, like you do. Kitten fostering may be one way…but I’m a bit afraid of having my heart stolen…again!
I’m intrigued by fostering also but I know that I’d grow attached each time. Best to visit various fur babies outside of my house so I’m not tempted to adopt them.
I love both these fur babies. I’ve had cats and dogs since childhood and can’t imagine never having a pet to love and cuddle with. That said, our Australian Shepard Mix, Murphy, will be our last. At our age it’s already difficult some days to keep up with her. It would be so unfair of us to adopt another hairy kid when we know we’re not up to the job. But it will break my heart. I will have to settle for visits to our local animal shelter and spending time with those guys until they find their forever homes.
🔹 Ginger 🔹
I once had an Australian Shepherd – best dog ever! Visits to the animal shelter are good. You get your furry fix and the animals are so appreciative. Win-win!
Love the shots of Carlos and the Costco King. Great Sunday Stills post!
Carlos and the King look to be very happy… as they deserve to be.
I love you Carlos appears very happy as does the dog.
I know that Carlos is a happy kitty… and certainly the dog looks like he is enjoying people watching (and having his picture taken).
I have known dogs and to show off. Kato was one he often do things when knew someone watching. At one time he would run and jump over ten feet into a tree if he someone was around to see him.
Wow! That’s quite a trick!
💓😇🐈😃😱
I thought I’d try being petless after my boxer died. I couldn’t stand it. Now I have 2 cats. At least I don’t have to rush home to let them out. That dog photo is a classic! And Carlos is a handsome boy.
Cats are a lot easier, that’s for sure. But, when we go away for long stretches of time, it’s best for us not to have to be concerned with their care.
You mentioned the possibility of a rent-a-pet…I’ve heard of kitty cafes in Japan where there are entire rooms of them available for customers to enjoy with their coffee/tea (whatever). I think this idea was hatched as the Japanese have smallish homes and often forgo pets due to human population density – just a thought I don’t really know why the cafes got started.
Oh and I noticed: Carlos has some huge paws!
Wishing you furry peace wherever you find it.
🙂
Carlos is very fluffy… not all of that is paw. I think we have a cat cafe where we live too. I’ve never been but it is very popular.
As you know, I’ve got two dogs Janis and I do love them to bits and can’t imagine life without them. But… they are an enormous commitment and I know for sure that when they are gone, many years from now, I won’t be looking for new ones. Instead, I’ll hope you’ve taken even more great pictures that I can look at in their place.
When you have a house full of furry love it’s hard to imagine not having them around. I’m happy with our choice but I know, one of these days, I’ll have a little dog or kitty again… or maybe I’ll keep borrowing them from my friends every now and then.
I think that guy would appreciate a couple of hot dogs – hold the bun.
That’s what I thought! Maybe a few of those Polish dogs would hit the spot… I hope his human brought him some.
Gorgeous photos and like you we have decided not to have our own fur babies but we do have a fur grandbaby that we love to see.
Oh, a fur grandbaby… that’s probably a perfect combo of big snuggles and low commitment.
We pet two dogs and a cat in the neighborhood, and that gives us our animal fix.
We have a few in our neighborhood too. We get to pet them and scratch their ears, but we don’t have to deal with their poop or vet bills.
There is a lot to be said for that.
Great looking fur babies and after I lost my last pet, no more for me either. I’m home all the time, but the loss is too great to bear, and having no other relatives, he was a companion pet so a tragic loss for me. I enjoy other’s pets just like you. A pat on the head and I’m good.
I have a hard enough time when a friend loses an animal… I don’t want to go through it myself again with my own pet anytime soon.
No, I agree – it is too painful. Easier to enjoy other’s pets vicariously.
We feel the same right now about pets since we are still traveling but long to have a cat or dog again someday.
Everything in its time. We are currently enjoying our freedom, but that will probably change at some point.
Pets do tie us down, don’t they? Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll be able to give them up when my husband retires, so we’ll just have to work around it. One concession I am making, though, is that our next dog (who will be still living when my husband retires) has to be small enough that it can travel with us sometimes. Certain condos and hotels have size limits, and we want to be able to meet them. It also has to get along with my kids’ dogs, so that we can leave it when them when we go on trips the dog can’t go on with us. Our current dog, Lucy, has always had to stay home with a dog sitter.
I’ve learned about the world of house and pet sitting through various blogs I follow. It seems like a great way to have your pet taken care of in your home (for basically free) while the sitter gets to enjoy free room and board. Win-win. If I ever get another dog, it will be a small one too.
I’m in the same pet state as you are, Janis. No pets to tie us down. I miss them but love the freedom and can get my dog fix when we visit my son. He has an adorable golden doodle named Lottie and she is such a good girl.
It sounds like you have it pretty good – freedom when you want it and a fur baby to visit when you see you son.
We feel the same way, we enjoy our grand dog, but not ready to be tied down again.
We, unfortunately, don’t have a grand dog or cat so we rely on our friends to help with our furry fixes.
Those are two very cute faces! A doggie bone for #1 and some cuddles for #2 is what I’d like to provide right now. 🙂 Does Carlos come to you for care, or do you swing by his place? We miss having our own dogs, especially when camping in the forest. It’ll be hard to resist adopting a couple in the near future.
Carlos comes with his own house 🙂 I think that’s much easier on the animal… I know it would be on me. Furry faces are hard to resist but then I remind myself of the freedom we now enjoy.
We have one old dog and one old cat (down from two dogs and two cats a few years ago). We get a lot of joy out of being with our pets. Also, having a dog is a great motivation to get outside for daily walks. However, arranging for pet care every time we travel can be challenging.
Jude
It’s a real trade-off for sure. I go back and forth all the time but being petless for now seems to be the best decision for us.
That boxer in the car window is so expressive! Great find!
Thank you… he was a handsome boy!
We too have chosen to remain pet-free during this stage of life so we can travel. While we have been home this summer, we noticed our next door neighbor’s dog “Sassy” outside all day while our neighbors are at work. We asked them if we could have Sassy over at our house during the day. They enthusiastically agreed, and now we enjoy her companionship, and she enjoys our air conditioning.
What a marvelous agreement you’ve worked out with your neighbor! So many animals are left at home alone while their people are at work. Dogs, especially, are pack animals and do better when they are with others. Sassy is very lucky to be a member of two packs now!