Taylor has wanted a dog for as long as I can remember. Every time we went to the library she would check out books about dogs. When the scholastic book orders came home she would circle the books with any sort of dog on it. She even started a dog watching business where she watched, walked, fed, cleaned etc. dogs while their owners went out of town. She is what I would call a "dog person". Unfortunately Travis is NOT a "dog person". He claims he has residual childhood trauma from having his dogs run over on the highway near his house growing up. He also says that animals do not belong in the house. Now Taylor has tried every trick in the book, begging, pleading, sweet talking, conniving, getting a cat instead etc. Nothing has swayed Travis so being the child genius that Taylor is she decided to play it his way and she presented it as a sales pitch. She googled all the ways that dogs help children, found pictures and made a pretty convincing argument. Travis was very impressed and I think I saw a few chinks in his "I don't like dogs" armor but the jury is still out on whether we will finally get the longed for dog. What is your vote?
13 comments:
DON'T DO IT! :) Actually, that is your call. I'm not a good one to ask, as we don't have pets. I can't tell you how much I love being pet-free for now. BUT, I know some day we will get one. However, I have to be ready for it. Can't give it back once it gets home....good luck with that decision.
She is one clever little cookie. I am a dog person and say do it. My only advise is don't get a St. Bernard, ours is huge. Start small. Dogs really are good for kids. Plus Taylor is so responsible she could handle it.
I vote YES! I love dogs, and I believe every child should grow up with at least 1 dog. We have 2, but they're small. We had our first dog die a couple of years ago, and it was so sad, but it was also a great way to teach our children about life, death, mourning, and the joy of eternal life. Do your research, because the breeds have specific personality traits - some breeds need lots of attention, others are more independent, some will dig up your yard, some bark a lot, and some breeds are more relaxed and great with kids. And don't make it a Christmas present, because you'll never top it!
Oh boy is she Travis's child or what?!
We got a mini schnauzer a few years ago for Hadley because she desperately wanted a dog but is allergic and that was one of the only ones we could have. Is she a pain? YES! Is it worth it? I think so. She lays on the top step of our stairs and doesn't let Lincoln fall down the stairs. She cleans up all of the cheerios that fall on the floor, she barks whenever a stranger comes to our house, she goes to her cage when told, she doesn't shed, and the kids love her. Your kids are definitely old enough that they can take care of it by yourself. But...beware. It really is a lot of work and you have to find a dogsitter whenever you travel, etc. Good luck!
Taylor will love that info - and will use it to convince Travis. We are working on him! Thanks for the info. I guess I always wanted 6 kids....does a dog count?
As a dog person I say heck yes! Some of my best memories from childhood involve our family dogs, they provide such great unconditional love! Plus they are lots of fun.
I agree. Get the dog. Not only was that an awesome sales pitch, but I feel like a family is just not complete without a dog. Now we have a very "Marley"-type dog if you know what I mean. I suggest if you plan on raising a dog from puppy-hood invest in the training classes. I love our doggo but sometimes he drives me crazy when he misbehaves when he gets excited. He is a perfectly cute and wonderfully gentle yellow Labrador retriever, but when he gets excited all training goes out the window.
-Meg
P.S. Labs are such great family dogs. Reese climbs on Cibo when he is laying on the floor and she jumps up and down on him, pets him, pulls on his whiskers, pinches his ears, and he doesn't do anything but lay there and let her do it. I'm just sayin...
Come on Travis! How can you say no to that?
Yes, go for the dog! I had always told Brad and the kids that we could get a dog when the last child was out of diapers. Well...they went behind my back and had my brother give me one for Christmas one year! Mean, huh? Turns out, Mabel (our doggie) is a great addition to our family and we all adore her. You might look into Poodle mixes as they don't shed much. Ours is a Golden Retriever/Poodle and she doesn't shed at all.
A havanese is another good hypo-allergenic breed. I hear the are good with kids too. Just do your research and remeber it will feel like your 6th child except you can put them in a cage when they are driving you crazy.
Bichon's are awesome family dogs as well and don't shed at all! We love the no shedding factor and we love that when we give her a bath she stays smelling good for weeks.
P.S. I was happy to see The Painted Veil on your list of movie reccomendations, that is one of my absolute fave movies!
I have to vote YES on the dog. Having a dog when your kids are young is so fun. Yes, it is a lot of work. Yes, you have to make arrangements for the dog when you leave home (or take the dog with you. Both Chi-Chi when I was young, and Quigley with our family went almost everywhere with us.)
Terriers are non-shedding dogs, but they have a lot of energy so unless you want to be run ragged...maybe not such a great idea.
I still would like to have a dog, but then I remember how committed you have to be to the dog and for so long, so we don't have one now. Maybe a little lap dog, someday.
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