Well, I don't have any furniture at the moment, aside from my bed and two chairs. I've simplified to the point of ridiculous. I'll be sticking with tatami mats for a while longer. Dog hair is an issue I've thought about. My father and stepmother have a golden retriever and there are always big tufts in their house, floating around on the floor. I don't want a long-haired dog for that reason. But I know that short-hairs also shed plenty. I had a parrot for 10 years before the divorce, and he was messy in a different way--bird poop and tearing things up all over the place. I think a dog would be alot easier than a parrot. A cat would be even easier, but I'm allergic to them and they freak out my SO.

My mother rescues greyhounds and currently has two plus her trusty spaniel mix stray that she picked up some time ago. And three cats. Her house and life are ruled by the animals (and the house has that doggy smell that dog owners don't seem to notice but the rest of us do!). I think that's why I'm hesitant to just go out and get a dog.

I'm happy to have it follow me around, I mean, that's the whole point here, right?. I don't know if I'll do the crate thing or just a dog bed (assuming I get the dog, that is). Still some studying up to do.

Unfortunately, they don't know where she came from, if she was a stray or someone gave her up. The SPCA got her from the local shelter, and the local shelter either didn't know or didn't pass on the info. The SPCA lady said that the shelter has a pretty quick kill time, so they rescue dogs from the shelter before that happens.

The SPCA has a 30-day return policy if things don't work out.

My other thoughts on dogs is that I could foster dogs (but then having go give them up might be hard, I don't know) or raise puppies that are on track to becoming guide dogs. But the puppy part is very intense and messy, and also guide puppies need lots of socializing, and I'm not terribly sociable myself!

Thanks for your tips and I'll report back on my decision.