I've got a pet dog that is my best bud in the world. I'm going to miss him through basic and however long it takes before I get a place where he can live with me. If I'm going the AST route and I'm single, at what point in my AST career will I be able to permanently re-unite with my dog? I expect owning a dog as single guy to be challenging, but second to my job, I've got nothing else to worry about. Any dog owning tips as an AST would be greatly appreciated. Thanks fellas.

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Well, as you know, having a dog is a huge responsibility, just like a kid. If you can, leave the pup with mom and dad. Once you join, after boot camp you'll probably go to a ship, having a dog then will be next to impossible. Even if you got a station, it's up to the OIC if you can bring him on duty, some do...some don't. Now, after your long wait for AST school, you'd have to drop him back off with mom and dad. To be blunt, unless your married or have someone living with you take care of the dog 24/7, leave the dog behind. Sorry, it's probably not the answer you're looking for.

During my 22 year career I was married for three years, during that time I had a dog. Got divorced had to give my dog away which was alot worst than losing the ol lady. Just couldn't provide for a dog during the rest of the time... underway etc...I love dogs and it sucked, now that I'm retired I have two that are spoiled rotten...just my two cents.

I normally might have laughed at your question...but having walked in those shoes already....it's a great question!

I had two bloodhounds over 10 years. I'm married and it was a pain. You really notice it transferring overseas. I had a nightmare in Puerto Rico that I will never forget. It's a long story but going/returning overseas with a pooch can be a massive pain and expensive. Coming/going during the summertime can be ugly if the temps are warm.

I knew a single avaition person who was able to have a kennel at work for a special needs dog. Anything is doable, just be prepared for the expense, overnight duty and TAD's.

You need to keep in mind the dog's quality of life too, not just how good it makes you feel to have a dog.

How miserable will the dog be when you are at sea for an extended period of time? Or being deployed somewhere?

hey folks, thanks for the replies so far. I'm really the type of person that if you tell me there's a chance, I'll do everything I can to make whatever it is happen. So if I'm allowed to have my dog with me after basic, I'm going to find a way to get him to me. I expect owning him to be expensive and difficult, but that is what I expected when I adopted him a year and a half ago... I just never thought I'd be so attached to the darn critter.

I had sworn I'd never get a dog until I was settled and had a family to help me care for it, but I got this guy while I worked on a horse farm. He was four years old at the time and had been kept locked in a 4'x6' pen in the barn and was lucky to get out of that for 30 mins every few days... His life wasn't good, but better then getting put down. I figured I could at least do better then a half an hour every few days... so far so good, and I still think I'll be able to be true to that even while employed by the Coast Guard.

Has anyone ever gotten together a "you walk my dog, I'll walk yours" sort of thing? Would love to hear more in the service dog experiences.

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I'm really the type of person that if you tell me there's a chance, I'll do everything I can to make whatever it is happen.

Understood, and that is not always a bad thing. BUT, I will re-emphasize what others say.

1. It might work out fine.
2. You may not live in a place that even allows pets, like a barracks or a gov't leased apartment. Don't plan on living in a 'house' for many years
3. The dog is 5 1/2 now. He will be over by the time you get out of AST A-School. In the mean time, you will be assigned to a Cutter, where you may be gone 3-4 months at a time, or 8 days out of EVERY TWO WEEKS. You may be assigned to a Station, where you will be staying over night between one out of two days to one out of four days. You may be sent on temporary duty for days, weeks or months.
4. You may or may not be living close to anyone you know.
5. No matter which of the para's above describe your current situation, another one may describe it the next day.

Now, the days when you CAN take care of the dog, you will feel good. What about the times when you can't?

Thanks for the insight. Sounds like I'll have to wait and find out what my situation is going to be once I'm out of basic. Luckily Mom and Dad love my dog and would put up with him for a few years if they had to. Nice to know I've got that in my corner.

Now maybe that tells you something if Mom said "As long as you leave for the military, we'll watch the dog."

Who do they love more?????

Sorry - that door was open.

SAD BUT TRUE! She's threatened to kick me out of the house a few times, but told me that the dog is always welcome... Believe me, I'm feelin the love!

While talking to my recruiter I brought this subject up and she said the best chance for being able to live with your dog would be to be placed on a small boat station where you will be living off base in public housing. Is this true, or just a dream/?

I know single people whom are stationed on a 378 that have dogs...they have a plan, They have numbers of people willing to watch thier dog, they adjust for the way of life they choose to live.

Being at a small boat station, you should have the same type of plans in case of a problem.

Yeah, I have someone to watch the dog for basic, so assuming this I suppose it will be an ongoing battle. However I took an oath when I took on the responsibility of owning my dog so whatever it takes. Thanks for the insight. And also thanks for the Prk answer in aviation.

Your also going to take an oath when you join the USCG. That one will override the doggy oath. Bottom line is, what is more impotant owning a dog or a your job in the CG.

Both can Co-Exist...Owner of 2 dogs, and that's light for me...usually I have about 4-6. I also have puppies running around sometimes. So figure 6-10 more for about 2 months. I have been doing this for 8 years. It's really not that hard if you just have a plan.

I have friends and family, that if need be...can take the dogs. So, Semper Paratus...

And Bottom line for this Coastie is that Sometimes the Coast Guard gets me, and sometimes the dogs do. Though the Coast Guard is a big part of my life, it's not the only part. Sometimes it does trump everything else. But again, I know this. It's not a secret. And many of the people I have on stand by to watch my dogs are Coasties...It's a reciprocal relationship. I have almost a revolving door when it comes to watching others dogs. I save them on Boarding, they save me.

Just have a plan. And stay away from the blow hards that tell you everything else in your life is second to the Coast Guard all the time. They are only half right. Sometimes the Coast Guard is numero uno...Sometimes they give you a day off.

You already know the Dog_show would watch your dog.

Good Comment Sir,,,,,

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And Bottom line for this Coastie is that Sometimes the Coast Guard gets me, and sometimes the dogs do.

That sounds very similar to a version I heard: Some days you're the dog, some days you're the fire hydrant.