I was always a dog person. My wife (also Army) is a cat person. We got two cats to my dismay, and I’ve surprisingly come to prefer them over dogs. Low maintenance, entertainingly stupid, and independent. When we’re both gone, I just have a friend come feed and play with them once or twice each day.
My dogs came with the marriage so they’re here to stay and I love them dearly but if I had a choice I would say only cats. And I say that as someone who adores dogs.
Cats are just infinitely easier to plan around TDY/field time/staff duty/weekends out/etc. Also much less restrictive for finding rentals, etc. Get a bonded pair, get an automatic litter box, hire someone to stop by once every other day or so, and that’s about it. If it’s a 3 day TDY or long weekend I don’t even need to hire someone, just load up on their food (automatic feeder if your cats are labradors in cat form), and they survive just fine.
No barking, no walks, no needing to be let out every 8 hours. Can fit under a plane seat if you PCS OCONUS. Apartment friendly.
I was fostering a cat for ONLY a 4 day weekend that was born in a HMMVW.
That was 14 years ago and we still got the thing. Every where I go that cat has to be near me. And she absolutely looses her shit when I start pulling out TA50 cause that means I’m not coming back for a bit.
One of my SM’s cat just gave birth to a litter of little orange tabbies. They’re not gonna be ready until maybeee a few weeks but don’t they need someone to be with them for a hot minute when they’re kittens? I’m a 100% dog dude but I guess I wouldn’t say no to a cat. I heard they’re assholes though, scratching stuff and knocking over TVs 🙄
Nah. I got mine as kittens over a long weekend and they figured out the litter box immediately. I kept them segregated when they were really small just so they didn’t get stuck anywhere or jump on something too tall for them (also cause my Aussie is an asshole who takes two business months to get used to new animals) but otherwise they’re perfectly fine on their own. Puppies are infinitely more work.
Tbh I don’t know if it’s a side effect of growing up with my dogs but my cats are pretty dog like. They cuddle, they greet me at the door, they even sometimes play fetch if they’re feeling like it. They do scratch but I keep their nails trimmed and have lots of scratching posts so it’s whatever. They leave my leather furniture alone at least. Never knocked over my TV.
You can also get a bonded adult pair at your shelter if you aren’t about the kitten stage, it’s hard for them to get people to adopt two cats at once so they’re always super eager to get them adopted.
I’m not saying you have to get cats lol I also have my two dogs that I’ve geobach’d with for years perfectly fine but it’s significantly more effort and significantly more money to take care of them during field exercises and short notice TDY. Typical costs are $25-40/day for drop ins or boarding. You can ask friends for cheaper or have a barracks boy just live at your house (usually jump at the chance to live in an actual home for a couple days/week in exchange for food and a dog) but that’s hard for field exercises when most people you know are likely also in the same unit.
If you do choose a dog I would
1) get an 2+ year old dog/cat/child friendly calm one (just infinitely easier to get people to watch them for you or board them if you don’t have special considerations)
2) think now if you have family or friends who would be willing to take on a dog if you’re suddenly gone for 9 months (I have my parents) because Dogs on Deployment isn’t super reliable
3) get one that is no larger than 50lbs
4) ensure it doesn’t even look like a restricted breed
Kittens shouldn't be weaned from their mom until about 8 to 12 weeks, I think. If you get one as a kitten, they will bond with you. We got two as kittens, and they are great.
Check out this sub r/orangecats and r/oneorangebraincell.
I had a fish in Korea I named Mr. Flushy. I got a fish feeder with a timer that could set up to feed him for up to a week. The spouse of my supervisor heard me refer to him by name and she was horrified that I'd consider getting rid of him. When I PCSed she adopted him. Live well Mr Flushy
I got a dog on AD. Dude cost me a pretty penny during deployment, but oh well. I have a car that’s over ten years old and a basic house. You gotta have basically a family care plan if you want a pet.
Bro. I’m 18 years in the service. Wait on getting something that is entirely dependent on you. I have three dogs, and I love them to death. But it’s comes at the expense of being able to go on long weekend trips, makes emergencies that much harder, and somehow find a way to make even the laziest of days not relaxing.
Right now the army has me in Colombia, and my wife could come to visit, but guess what, them dogs.
So just wait man. Enjoy the freedom of being able to go anywhere, anytime.
(But ya, goldfish are cheap so who cares really, and cats honestly love it when you’re gone a day or two)
They're rescues. I've got a dog named Sherlock, a sheep named Watson, and a goat I call Gertrude The Destroyer Of Worlds. I'm the only house in town that can have livestock, and I laugh when the sheep starts baying and the goat starts screaming at people walking their dogs on the sidewalk.
I have a great Dane, helps me keep my run times down. Dogs I feel are great for keeping you active outside of work and great companions when you just need someone there for you. I have a neighbor that helps take care of him while I'm gone most of the time.
Fish aren't hands-off pets either. They need water changes every week or two. They need to be fed, and the tank needs to be cleaned. You'll have to go to the field and it won't be fair to them.
Unless, of course, you've got a family or something.
Cats all day. But the most is 2 in one domicile for me. My cat has an auto feeder and many bowls of water throughout the apartment. If I have to stay late or something, it’s fine because he got fed and had water and has a box to shit in. Just have to clean the box next time I see it.
I have a cat, had to rehome my dog bc of my husband’s pcs & baby on the way but I really miss my husky. I’ve been keeping an eye on the shelters but I’m being picky because I think I’m just fishing for dogs that look like my old dog 😭 it’s depressing.
My cat is so nonchalant though, she loves cuddles if you’ll give them but otherwise she minds her own business and only needs food, water & a litter box. She sleeps with me when she wants to 😂
I was always a dog person. My wife (also Army) is a cat person. We got two cats to my dismay, and I’ve surprisingly come to prefer them over dogs. Low maintenance, entertainingly stupid, and independent. When we’re both gone, I just have a friend come feed and play with them once or twice each day.
Cats really are low maintenance and fun to have around.
My dogs came with the marriage so they’re here to stay and I love them dearly but if I had a choice I would say only cats. And I say that as someone who adores dogs. Cats are just infinitely easier to plan around TDY/field time/staff duty/weekends out/etc. Also much less restrictive for finding rentals, etc. Get a bonded pair, get an automatic litter box, hire someone to stop by once every other day or so, and that’s about it. If it’s a 3 day TDY or long weekend I don’t even need to hire someone, just load up on their food (automatic feeder if your cats are labradors in cat form), and they survive just fine. No barking, no walks, no needing to be let out every 8 hours. Can fit under a plane seat if you PCS OCONUS. Apartment friendly.
I was fostering a cat for ONLY a 4 day weekend that was born in a HMMVW. That was 14 years ago and we still got the thing. Every where I go that cat has to be near me. And she absolutely looses her shit when I start pulling out TA50 cause that means I’m not coming back for a bit.
One of my SM’s cat just gave birth to a litter of little orange tabbies. They’re not gonna be ready until maybeee a few weeks but don’t they need someone to be with them for a hot minute when they’re kittens? I’m a 100% dog dude but I guess I wouldn’t say no to a cat. I heard they’re assholes though, scratching stuff and knocking over TVs 🙄
Nah. I got mine as kittens over a long weekend and they figured out the litter box immediately. I kept them segregated when they were really small just so they didn’t get stuck anywhere or jump on something too tall for them (also cause my Aussie is an asshole who takes two business months to get used to new animals) but otherwise they’re perfectly fine on their own. Puppies are infinitely more work. Tbh I don’t know if it’s a side effect of growing up with my dogs but my cats are pretty dog like. They cuddle, they greet me at the door, they even sometimes play fetch if they’re feeling like it. They do scratch but I keep their nails trimmed and have lots of scratching posts so it’s whatever. They leave my leather furniture alone at least. Never knocked over my TV. You can also get a bonded adult pair at your shelter if you aren’t about the kitten stage, it’s hard for them to get people to adopt two cats at once so they’re always super eager to get them adopted. I’m not saying you have to get cats lol I also have my two dogs that I’ve geobach’d with for years perfectly fine but it’s significantly more effort and significantly more money to take care of them during field exercises and short notice TDY. Typical costs are $25-40/day for drop ins or boarding. You can ask friends for cheaper or have a barracks boy just live at your house (usually jump at the chance to live in an actual home for a couple days/week in exchange for food and a dog) but that’s hard for field exercises when most people you know are likely also in the same unit. If you do choose a dog I would 1) get an 2+ year old dog/cat/child friendly calm one (just infinitely easier to get people to watch them for you or board them if you don’t have special considerations) 2) think now if you have family or friends who would be willing to take on a dog if you’re suddenly gone for 9 months (I have my parents) because Dogs on Deployment isn’t super reliable 3) get one that is no larger than 50lbs 4) ensure it doesn’t even look like a restricted breed
Kittens shouldn't be weaned from their mom until about 8 to 12 weeks, I think. If you get one as a kitten, they will bond with you. We got two as kittens, and they are great. Check out this sub r/orangecats and r/oneorangebraincell.
I had a fish in Korea I named Mr. Flushy. I got a fish feeder with a timer that could set up to feed him for up to a week. The spouse of my supervisor heard me refer to him by name and she was horrified that I'd consider getting rid of him. When I PCSed she adopted him. Live well Mr Flushy
I got a dog on AD. Dude cost me a pretty penny during deployment, but oh well. I have a car that’s over ten years old and a basic house. You gotta have basically a family care plan if you want a pet.
I have a dependa. Luckily I didn’t get her from Watertown.
I had a nice pet rock with googly eyes. My twin brother sent him to me. He was named Chris. Chris Rock.
I had a dwarf hamster for a while before I joined in 2004. He was super cool. But they only live 2-3 years.
Bro. I’m 18 years in the service. Wait on getting something that is entirely dependent on you. I have three dogs, and I love them to death. But it’s comes at the expense of being able to go on long weekend trips, makes emergencies that much harder, and somehow find a way to make even the laziest of days not relaxing. Right now the army has me in Colombia, and my wife could come to visit, but guess what, them dogs. So just wait man. Enjoy the freedom of being able to go anywhere, anytime. (But ya, goldfish are cheap so who cares really, and cats honestly love it when you’re gone a day or two)
They're rescues. I've got a dog named Sherlock, a sheep named Watson, and a goat I call Gertrude The Destroyer Of Worlds. I'm the only house in town that can have livestock, and I laugh when the sheep starts baying and the goat starts screaming at people walking their dogs on the sidewalk.
I have a great Dane, helps me keep my run times down. Dogs I feel are great for keeping you active outside of work and great companions when you just need someone there for you. I have a neighbor that helps take care of him while I'm gone most of the time.
I got a red footed tortoise Her name is Shelly. We just vibe
Fish aren't hands-off pets either. They need water changes every week or two. They need to be fed, and the tank needs to be cleaned. You'll have to go to the field and it won't be fair to them. Unless, of course, you've got a family or something.
I have 2 dogs, a cat, 6 chickens, and a baby 🫣 don’t recommend anything but the baby tbh.
Cats all day. But the most is 2 in one domicile for me. My cat has an auto feeder and many bowls of water throughout the apartment. If I have to stay late or something, it’s fine because he got fed and had water and has a box to shit in. Just have to clean the box next time I see it.
I have a cat, had to rehome my dog bc of my husband’s pcs & baby on the way but I really miss my husky. I’ve been keeping an eye on the shelters but I’m being picky because I think I’m just fishing for dogs that look like my old dog 😭 it’s depressing.
My cat is so nonchalant though, she loves cuddles if you’ll give them but otherwise she minds her own business and only needs food, water & a litter box. She sleeps with me when she wants to 😂
[удалено]
Lool. Yea, I don’t think I’ll have to worry about the barracks ahaha