Have you ever given any thought of how to get around the "problem of living in a complex/village or whatever where the rules of residence says "NO PETS ALLOWED" I think it is just so sad, especially for those people who live in retirement villages and who have all the time in the world to dote and lavish affection on animals to be deprived of that pleasure. This morning after running I came across an elderly gentleman (in his 80s) in the stretching area (in the gym). Naturally I joined and we started conversing. Part of the conversation was about dogs and how some inconsiderate dog owners treat their pets and allow their pets to 'chase after joggers' Talking, and talking - he then told me that he lives in a retirement village with no pets allowed. And he simply loves pets. I felt so sad right there and then this gentleman gave me an answer that delighted me so that I had to share this with you all. He told me that he made some nifty birdfeeders and water dispensers from plastic soda bottles and cake containers on his tiny little stoep (a porch) and everyday he has gorgeous feathered friends that visit him. Now he can show off with his 'pets' in a "NO PETS ALLOWED" retirement village.
I'm so glad your new friend managed to get around the "NO PETS ALLOWED" rule. I feel so sorry for people like him who, as you say, have the time and love to give to an animal. I feel even sorrier for those elderly folks who have had to go into a retirement home or nursing home and have to give up a beloved pet as they're not allowed to take them with them.
I hope I won't have to find a way around such a prohibition. I guess I'll have to get filthy rich and build my own retirement home, complete with pets. I'm glad he's got his birds to brighten his day.
Supurb. Who knows after a while the birds may get used to him and let him come close. It is a great solution to the rules.
Good idea he came up with. The Retirement Inn where my Mom now lives does allow small pets, and there are several small dogs in residence there. All of them are very friendly with all the residents, so in a way it's like they all have pets.
I worked in a retirement home once that allowed a resident to take her cat in with her, it lived in her room mainly but was allowed to prowl about the downstairs of the home at times, that old lady was the happiest resident of a retirement/ nursing home I had ever seen. I am glad that elderly gentleman got to see the birds, to me saying no pets is cruel with some elderly people who have no living family a pet can be their lifeline.
Don't know if you have this in your area, but here there are some kind folks with wonderful dogs who visit hospitals, retirement homes etc. They are very therapeutic and bring much joy to the residence. Even just one visit per week might brighten up an otherwise dreary existence. I've also know people who volunteer at animal shelters. Walking the dogs etc, its a good way to feel useful. I'd feel lost without my furry friends.
It's really too bad that they can't come up with some kind of middle-ground solution that would benefit the pet-lovers and the pet-haters. It's not overly difficult to train animals to behave.
I live in an apartment that has a "no pet" rule unless you cough up a $500 pet deposit. I don't have that kind of money just lying around & I think that kind of money is ridiculous so I just brought my small dog with me...what they don't know can't hurt them. He's extremely low maintanence so there's no barking; now to get around the pest control issue. He'll just need a babysitter.