To get a dog or not to??
Taj wants a dog. Isabel wants a dog. Tristan and Alec want a dog. I say we have a snake and I’m good. Considering I’m the only one that thinks to feed Wormy, or clean the poop out of her cage or hold her, or anything… I worry that would be the case with a dog as well. I’ve only had a dog for a short while and she was an old, fat mama-like dog who didn’t care if the kids rode around on her back. If we have a dog I want one that’s good with kids, protective, fun… but knows how to behave. It’s also staying outside. And we’re naming it Indiana. Because I’m pretty sure I’d be the main caretaker so I’m naming him. 
“We named the dog Indiana!” (What Movie??:))
I know I don’t want a puppy. I’m not waking up in the middle of the nite to a whiney puppy. I already did that with 5 kids. I’m not doing it for a dog. Sorry. I also don’t want it trash our stuff. Like if we build the skate ramp, I don’t want it to become one of those dog ramps where she’s using it more than the kids?? But the kids swear that they’ll let me find the perfect dog and they’ll take care of it. I say… “Yeah, you can’t even wipe your spit outta the sink…”
So… as you can see I totally lean more towards NO!! but I also think I’d love the kids to have the chance to own a dog. Idk… Any dog lovers out there that wanna talk me into it? And how much does a dog cost you a year?? (That’s another huge concern.) Any particular breed of dog you’d suggest?
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I’m NOT a dog lover, so I totally don’t think they’re worth the trouble and expense!
.-= Nancy Face´s last blog ..Stools and other poopy stuff! =-.
I love dogs but I don’t know if I want to take care of one with 3 small children and they’re really expensive. I owned a Siberean Husky and they are great, very loyal and smart. they don’t shed as much considering they have a lot of fur.
.-= Karina´s last blog .. =-.
I’ve never had a dog, myself. I have many of the same concerns as you. I do know some people who have adopted an older dog (as in, not a puppy), maybe that’s an option? Though it does raise some unknown concerns about the dog’s previous environment…
Anyway, good luck with that. I’m going to continue telling my kids that dogs eat people, just so they never ask.
.-= omar´s last blog ..Say What? =-.
I use the threat that if you don’t feed the dog then I won’t feed you until you do. It works. Dogs poop all over the yard so someone has to be the poop scooper. I refuse to do that. I can nag and become a broken record and they hate that as much as I do, but I REFUSE to do certain things.
Labs are very good with kids. They are not aggressive by nature and kids sit on our dog. Jaguar’s cousin came over for his birthday. He’s 3. He sat on the dog and Coco just sat there. He licked his face when the little guy got off.
Most little dogs are not good with kids because they get aggressive due to their size and the size of the child, Unless a lab has been abused they are not aggressive. I’ve never been bitten by one and I have had a several of them growing up and we have Coco now.
I use Iam’s food only. It’s the best for their coat and health. Science Diet gets promoted by vets because they get a kick back. My animals have not done well with it. I buy the large bag and it lasts at least a couple of months. Walmart even carries it. I think it’s cheaper at PetsMart though.
I don’t change the diet and when the canned food is on sale I buy it, but it’s mostly fed at holiday times when we are having special food then I give the animals their special canned food.
Actually it’s because my budget is so tight, but isn’t everyone’s?
We also only feel the animals twice a day. Once in the morning before school and at dinner time. We have a measuring cup that we use and then we have treats that are occasionally given. I buy all the toys when they are on clearance. Cause I’m cheap like that
Hubs says, “Don’t do it.” I say if you can let things go until the kids get home to do it then get one. They are great additions to you family. Outside is good, but they bark more out there, because dogs are pack animals. They like to be with the pack, aka family. You will likely be top dog because all the kids go to you and the dogs seem to pick up on that. Coco listens to me more than anyone. I only use simple commands (quiet, come, no, etc)
Are you sorry I commented now. It took up all your space
.-= Klin´s last blog ..Important screenings for adults =-.
Go rescue a Blue Heeler. A boy one, you’ll love him!
.-= Not So Average Mama´s last blog ..Halloween Shopping! =-.
Just brought home an adopted dog 3 days ago. Our shelter cat tested him and let us visit with him several times to ee how compatible he was with kids. It is more work, walks… attention … jealous cats but a lot of fun too. WE got a 4 yr old who was crate trained, house-trained and not a barker. My son now has a lifelong friend and my daughter has even walked him and picked up poop 2x. Miracles can happen!
I vote NO, but then again, I’m not a cool mom like you…
.-= swampbaby´s last blog ..To What Do You Aspire? =-.
The flu really has affected your thinking. Get behind me dog thoughts…
My children have ALWAYS wanted a dog, but I guess they all have had to wait until they moved out.
No dogs for us.
Good luck with your decision.
.-= yvonne´s last blog ..5K and Conference =-.
I grew up with dogs.. and so did my husband.. it seemed only natural we would get a dog. So almost 7 years ago we got a sweet little lab puppy.. she was a lot of work, for a good 2 years.. she always loved the kids.. loves to be around us.. just needed to get the puppiness out of her. Most lab owners give up on them in the first few years.. so I would say adopt one they are fabulous with kids. My daughter feeds her my son cleans the poop.. not always when I want, but it gets done. They do shed a bit.. so concider your choice.. yellow, chocolate and black. They are great guard dogs.. though mine would lick you to death before she would do anything else. She was my running companion for years till she tore her acl.. They are costly.. food.. we pay for pet health insurance monthy that off sets big vet bills for shots and what not. Going out of town can be another expence to think about. We did get another dog last summer.. so yes now we have two.. so it wasn’t so bad.. we got another.. I love that they have eachother.. that is the greatest.. the new dog is a 4 lb yorkshire terrier.. and I love her.. she is small, cuddles up in your lap ( the lab would like to) she doesn’t shed.. at all.. her poops are the size of tootsie rolls.. she is mellow and doesn’t yap like some yorkies.. there are pros and cons to both sizes.. she loves the kids too.. and the two hang out together.. we got a dog door to elemenate the need for constantly letting them in and out.. thats nice.. they are always around.. and much like children provide a lot of joy.. and sometimes frustration! If the kids say they are going to help.. keep them to it.. mine do it no prob.. never thought I’d have 2 dogs.. but we love them so!!
.-= rebecca´s last blog .. =-.
We’ve been debating on getting a dog for the longest time! They’re a big responsibility, but we recently decided that we want one! We looked at all the breeds and we’re probably going to get a Maltese because they’re easily trained and very lovable. Now we’re trying to decide if we want to adopt a grown dog or adopt a puppy (which are A LOT more work). You can always rescue a dog from the pound too! Large families are fantastic with dogs/puppies, but I definitely see where you’re coming from. If the family is ready for a dog (and agress to not let Mom do all the work!), then I say go for it! That’s really cute that y’all named your snake Wormy by the way!
Ohhh…I can hear a tiny bell ringing in the back of my brain! Was it Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom or is that too obvious? Shoot.
Well we had no intention of getting a dog but this mutt was wandering around for about a month on our street – several neighbors were putting out food & water because you just fell in love with her the moment you meet her. Then SOMEONE called animal control on her and when the truck pulled up to get her across the street – I made the evil doggie catcher take my phone # so that if no one claimed her in 3 days we could come & get her.
And here she lays, the wretched thing. Lovable, potty trained, fixed and the laziest dog on the planet. But we love her!
Sooooo close! It was “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” It’s when it comes out that Indy’s name is actually Henry Jones Jr. His dad calls him “Junior” all the time.
Not just “NO”, but “HELL NO”. Kids always think they want a dog. Food, vet, poop everywhere. Plus you always have to find a sitter if you want to go anywhere for more than a day.
But mainly you should consider allergies. Outside or not, if you or kids are prone to allergies
animal hair will always plague you.