• Flying Squid
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    43 hours ago

    Only 4 or 5 years, right? I don’t think I could handle loving a pet who’s lifespan was that short. But I do know people who have pet rats and they really love them. Doesn’t really surprise me, guinea pigs are similar. And you need to have at least two of them as well.

    • @[email protected]
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      1 hour ago

      Some dog breeds are trending that way, especially large breeds, anecdotally I know of a bunch of Bernese Mountain Dogs that were 4-5 years due to cancer (which isn’t uncommon), 7-8 is the normal expectancy for them afaik.

      I’ve got two brothers we got as kittens, they’re 4 next year, we bond really strongly with animals.

      • Flying Squid
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        21 hour ago

        I would never get a purebred dog and that is yet another reason. I have had two mutts live to 14 and another one is 10 now.

        Get a mutt and rescue them from a shelter or rescuer. I have not regretted it even if they are little shits. Even the big ones are little shits.

    • @[email protected]
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      32 hours ago

      Yeah, unfortunately they don’t live very long. I actually don’t keep them anymore because it felt like I was setting myself up for heartbreak after awhile.

      I’m happy for the experience though! And that doesn’t surprise me about guinea pigs. A lot if people underestimate the intelligence and needs of small pets.