Thursday, October 2, 2008

Someone please stop me

from getting a puppy! PLEASE!

We've been back & forth & back & forth about a bajillion freakin times about getting one (over the course of the last 4 years or so). Now would be a good time because the Grumps is home, and can do training. And really, we could both use a little extra wiggly cuteness & unconditional love in our world.

BUT, more responsibility? Another (albeit inexpensive) mouth to feed? Do I want to destroy the angry cat's ENTIRE FREAKING UNIVERSE? What about if Dad comes to live with us? (Well, Dad's an animal lover, so I guess that's not really an issue....)

I'm thanking the internet gods that our local no-kill shelter doesn't have a website. They're INCREDIBLY affordable on the adoption fees (seriously, like $50 for a puppy... and you get a $20 credit when you get them spayed/neutered), so I KNOW that if I went looking at pictures, or - heaven forbid - made the drive out there I'd be coming home with a cute little bundle of fur.

So tell me again, why shouldn't I do this?

11 Comments:

Tigger said...

We just got one a few weeks ago. I wish we'd either gotten it over the summer or just not done it, period. With everything going on, and Aaron at work all day, the last thing I want to do is be in charge of puppy training all day. She has to be outside when we aren't home because she's too young to be unsupervised, which means I let her in and she wants to play, which I don't have energy for. She's like a toddler - pushing the boundaries all the time. It's been three weeks and the cat still hates her and seems to think the dog is getting all the attention - which she is, because I can't leave the dog alone.

If you get one, get it into obedience class immediately - and they're expensive as all hell. We were supposed to, but Aaron never held up his end and looked into it, nor does he want to spare the time so he's trying to do it on his own. What we've ended up with is an already spoiled brat of a puppy.

If you do this, make sure you both want it. Make sure you both have time. Bear in mind that the puppy will want to be around you 24/7, and that includes being underfoot all the time.

IdleMindOfBeth said...

I hear ya Tiggs. I've done the puppy route before, but it's been a while. We already have a cat & a dog, so the commitment isn't as much an issue (already have it, just adding to it).

Fortunately, we still have a kennel, so we have the option to contain a puppy if/when we need to.

Crap - notice how I'm defending the idea? I'm thinking that does NOT bode well for the whole "don't let me do it" thing, huh?

Becky said...

I would definitely decide if your dad is coming to live with you first. I don't think you need the stress of both your dad and a new puppy all at the same time. If your dad does come to stay with you maybe get used to that first and then decide on the puppy thing. There will always be puppies out there that need homes :)

Meredith said...

well I am no help because I would say to get one! But I also agree with Becky with maybe you should see if you dad is going to live with you yet and how much time (emotional time too) that takes from you guys first.

Becky said...

I say go for it!
I'm a foster dog parent for a local boxer dog rescue and it's so rewarding to give a little guy or girl a good home. I always want to keep them though, like i do now with the one little girl we have. It might be good for your dad, if he comes to live with you, maybe you can even say he can help you train him. Good Luck

RBandRC said...

If you REALLY want one, then I say do it. But they are SO much work. Mine are actually older now and they are still a lot of work. But they are a lot of fun too.

Good luck with your decision! :)

Kaci said...

Hmmm...I say think about the timeframe things might happen on with your dad. If it's a real possibility that he'll be moving in with you, will you have time to get your household adjusted to a puppy before your dad comes? If not, then wait until you've gotten adjusted with your dad before adding a puppy to the mix. Even once Grumps is in school he'll be home enough to do a lot of training. Kaylah girl will be plenty of pet therapy for your dad!

Do what makes you & Grumps happiest though :)

Beth said...

Hm... every time I see someone walking around town carrying a bag of poop, I decide I don't want a dog :)

chicklet said...

Every time I want a dog, the husband asks me if I'm really ready for all the responsibility. Cuz right now, we come and go as we please, and with a dog, we wont' be able to the same way. He asks if I want to get up and walk the dog in teh rain, and wait while it poos only so I can scoop it. He says none of this rudely, but he says it and it reminds me he's right. Right now I like our freedom. So for you, it's just going in making sure you know what you're getting into, and not getting sucked in by their charm:-)

Vikki a.k.a "V" said...

OMG! Read my blog and you will know how much fun a pup can be and how $$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Vikki a.k.a "V" said...

OMG! Read my blog and you will know how much fun a pup can be and how $$$$$$$$$$$$$.