Pets!

[craftyashley]

I've noticed the polls have been pet themed lately, and I've been doing a lot of thinking about our pet situation lately.
Initially, I was the one who pushed for a dog. We were newlyweds, and my husband worked nights. I was lonely in our little apartment after work and getting a little rescue dog was really rewarding. We moved into a bigger apartment, but our first dog needed a playmate when I started working more. So we bought a little puppy for him. We loved our dogs for 4 years before having kids.
Now... they are kind of a nuisance. There is the one benefit of them picking up thrown food off the floor, but that's where it ends. They are just as demanding as the girls, scared of the kids, and their healthcare costs keep increasing.
(I just took the older one in today for losing fur- turned out to be nothing- but cost me $52 nonetheless)
Anyway- they are kind of a pain, and while I love them, there are certainly nights I would love to give them away. (like when Scotty peed on the girls' blanket as a "protest statement")

I don't think we will be replacing any pets when the time comes. I'm so done! Or maybe it's just the issue of small children and demanding dogs that's the problem?

[freckles]

Pee on the blanket? Jealous is he? lol Yes, what a great little vaccuum cleaner they can be! Ours came in handy when I would put him on our dd's bed and she could cuddle with him. She would fall asleep better if she had him.

I know exactly what you mean. I always said we would have an animal around, but 3 kids later, our dog gets ignored. I think about putting him down sometimes because he is 11 yrs old. Everytime I am at the end of a bag of dogfood, I think about putting him to sleep. Ya know what happens? He starts running around playing. How can I put him to sleep after that?

If we go on vacation, he comes with us, which is not practical. Like I dont have enouph to pack already. He is a good dog. He is very quiet and sleeps alot. When he passes, I want to wait till a long time to get a dog. Maybe a hermit crab will be ok! lol

[charliesmommy]

We have three dogs and I do agree, we will not be replacing them ultil they are all gone and Charlie asks for a dog. That isn't going to be for a long time. Sophie is 9, Buddy is 6 and Corky is 5.

What I don't agree with is that they are a nuisance. Yes they steal food out of Charlie's hands and yes they need to be fed, walked, watered, loved and vetted. But, they have been such an asset to us with Charlie. Because they are all so gentle and loving, they have taught him to be the same with all animals. For example, we have had this beautiful pigeon who had to be someone's pet that visits our house every day when Charlie and I get home. Charlie FINALLY got to touch the bird yesterday. He was so cute, he touched it ever so gently. I was so proud!

[may2mac]

CraftAshely - I agree with you. We don't have dogs, but we do have two cats. Our cats were like our children before we actually had children. Now that we have two kids though I don't really have the time or energy for the kitties anymore. They are a nuisance for me. One cat is 9 y.o. and throws up all the time (always has) and has a ton of hairballs. He also gets mad at us for having kids and pees on the kids' dresser. The other cat is 8 and she is pretty good, but I developed an allergy to her while I was pregnant with Lauren and can't touch her without breaking out in an itchy rash.

We definitely won't be replacing either of them once they pass on. I would like to wait until the kids start asking for pets (hopefully dogs) and then we will go down that road. For now, I think it will be easier to not have any pets.

[freckles]

Aww cute Charliesmommy. Did Charlie squeel with excitement? I tell my kids "One finger please." when I want them to be gentle.