Charlie wants a dog

[charliesmum]

At least I think he wants a dog. He's been talking about it, but he is also imitating Verruca Salt as he does so. "Mommy.' He says, speaking in a clipped and almost British voice. "I Want. A. Dog."

I pointed out to him he has $95, and could possibly buy a dog for himself, and he actually considered it.

I'd toyed with the idea before, but I just don't think we have the time or money for a dog. (though, working 10 minutes from home does help - one could theoretically go home at lunch and let the dog out)

I have to keep reminding myself that dogs are fairly high maintenance, and probably aren't cheap to keep in food.

Because...look at this really cute dog. I want him.

Comments

[lietya.livejournal.com]

Dog food is cheaper than cat food, I say enviously. :) (It's about $20 for a 50-pound bag of pretty good dog food.)

I agree about the high-maintenance thing, though.

What a sweet face on that guy!

[zambonigirl.livejournal.com]

Wow. Great dog!

You know, you don't have to get a big one, though. You could just get a small one to start with.

However, at the end of the day, it's you taking care of it, not the kid, so...you're the mom.

[nam-jai.livejournal.com]

Cute dog -- what a great face!

My dog is not too expensive to keep in food, but she's only 30 lbs. The vet bills were the biggest expense for me when I first got my dog; she was a stray that was picked up by animal control, and even though she didn't look like she had been out on the streets for too long, she still had a collection of health issues that had to be dealt with (the most pricey and dangerous being heartworm).

Then there's the general doggie start-up expenses -- leashes, food bowls, toys, treats and whatnot. But that's the fun shopping!

Time is definitely another factor -- again, especially at the beginning when the dog needs training. But ongoing too -- dogs are pack animals and I feel terrible for the ones who get left alone a lot. Like the people down my street who leave their dog in the backyard 24/7, it seems. Why even have a dog you're not going to interact with? Grrrr... [/soapbox]

So that's my realistic talk. Of course, to me it's all been worth it, seeing as I've had the Best Dog in the World for about eight years now. Lucky me! But if you decide you can manage it, perhaps you can find the Second Best Dog in the World. ;)

[bookgrrrl.livejournal.com]

I love love love my dog, buuut-

If you ever want to leave your home? It's a pain in the butt to find someone to walk/feed your dog all the time.

[chavvah.livejournal.com]

I am an advocate of small dogs, possibly because I had a bad experience with a large dog when I was a child.

The biggest investment in a dog is not money, but time.

If Charlie is old enough for a pet, and you would like him to have the joy--and the responsibility--of taking care of one himself, how about a hamster or small bird?

[zelle999.livejournal.com]

I would love to get a dog... but the amount of attention they need/deserve is way more than I can give right now. That's the only thing stopping me. I know Vivi would love it. Maybe someday if we get a house and I stop being so busy all the time, it would work.

And I'm a big dog lover. I love dogs that you can wrestle around with and all that.

Sigh. Someday.

[brownkitty.livejournal.com]

I'm generally in favor of dogs, so I'm biased towards "yes, have one or two". I was actually partly raised by a Belgian Shepherd, who kept us away from the road or people he thought were suspicious. He was beautiful, and fell victim to heartworms, and I miss him still.

There are autism/asperger's therapy dogs, very similar to seizure therapy dogs. The one article I read about someone who had one said that the dogs helped immensely with controlling meltdowns. I think it was because the dog would distract the owner and help head the meltdown off, so the owner learned to recognize meltdown signs and head things off himself. http://www.northstardogs.com/ has more info. Unfortunately they don't like to adopt out of state, but there might be something local to you.

When I can, I plan to get a dog or two. I'm going to send the dog(s) and my children through obedience school because I think it would be good for all concerned. I think/hope it will teach Colin consistency among other things, and to hold his patience better.

Anyway, long drawn-out justification for "I vote to get the dog." :):):)

[jessii-6.livejournal.com]

*looks above and looks puzzled* you have a cat. Since when? (and how did I miss it?)

A dog is probably more expensive than a cat (if your cat is always home you don't have to get all the vaccines and they eat less, so even though their food is more expensive it lasts longer) and you do have to walk your dog for at least half an hour twice a day.
On the good side, however, you're both getting healthy excersize and get to have someone who is always happy to see you.

I wouldn't recommend getting a big dog, as they require more input out of you. Medium or small dogs are perfectly wonderful, need less food (which is heavy as well as expensive. The heavy bothers me more, personally) and can be allowed more freedom (=> if my dog jumps at me it's not a problem. It would be if he weighted more than me).

Another issue with dogs (all animals, really, to a degree) is that you *must* be home. It is an issue if my parents are working late, because someone needs to walk the dog. We often find ourselves plannings things around that. When my parents went abroad I was home with the dog. We once left him with the family and he didn't eat for the first two days and is afraid we would leave him there alone again since (he followed me from room to room when I was there when my parents were abroad this year). Yes, I could probably put him in a care somewhere, but 1. I haven't the money, really and 2. if he didn't eat at my close familys house (and he knows them well) I don't think he will at a dog-care. Plus he's old and he has needs (right now, we don't let him go up and down the stairs anymore. We have to carry him).

It is not easy at all. I'm biased, of course, so I'd say it's completely worh it.

[sing1118.livejournal.com]

THere are a lot of small breeds that are smart and all, but my bitty dog is a Shih Tzu, so notsomuch.

The other dog I have is an Australian Shepherd. They are bigger dogs- Bailey is about 60 lb- but they're incredibly intelligent. Bailey was housetrained in less than 3 weeks and has had a total of 2 accidents since then, and she's seven. They're very territorial, but very friendly. They bark at new people, but aren't hostile unless they see a threat to their family. The territorial thing means taht they don't run away. We can go out in the front yard with Bailey and she might wander around a bit, but she rarely leaves the yard- if she does, she's generally just sniffing the neighbor's bushes, well within sight of us. Bailey is seriously so smart- she can sense if someone needs to be treated more gently or whatever, like my neighbor's grandson who had a tumor at 18 months.

The other thing about Aussies is that unlike some breeds, like Border Collies, Aussies can adjust to what exercise they're getting. If they get 4 walks a day, fine. If they only get one, that's fine, they'll adjust. If you have a Border Collie, they'd go crazy cooped up with one walk a day. My parents did their research when getting Bailey for us, and they chose a wonderful breed and a sweet smart puppy. And she's pretty! And they make cute puppies:

A random puppy:


(I don't have a pic of Bailey to post, but look at my icon.)

And an Aussie info site:
http://www.maculated.com/1/index.html

[ciara-belle.livejournal.com]

Dogs can be a lot of work. I had to beg my parents for ages before we finally bought Sydney and I had to do all kinds of research on different breeds. We finally decided on an Aussie because they're good natured, easy to train, friendly and good with kids. They're also medium sized and we didn't want something gigantic, but my dad refused to be seen outside with something "fluffy".

Then I had to scour the want ads every day until I found someone advertising purebreed Australian Shepherds for about $100. And then we got my Syd syd. ^^

[atlantel.livejournal.com]

I think it is too late. You already love this dog. That's true he is cute. And a dog (oh, I almost write 'god') is such a friend for a kid, says she who dislikes dogs because she is afraid of them:)

btw, I was surprised to hear your little boy sang yesterday. I thought it was a normal voice post. hehehe.

Doggie!

[erynnef.livejournal.com]

From a grooming standpoint, and dealing with so many types of dogs -

Chow Chows, whether mixed or not are usually not good with kids. Even though that one is mixed with what I like to call "The stupid dog" Lab, even that lab awesomeness cannot beat out the Chow Chow.

(No offense to any Lab lovers - I love labs. LOVE LOVE LOVE. But, how smart can a dog be when a Lab eats concrete? Hence, Stupid Dog said in the stupid sing song voice)

Small dogs are a pain in the ass too.

Good for kids - Goldens, Labs, Collies, Shelties, and believe it or not, Pits and Rottis.

If you are interested in a small dog, I know someone in Collingswood who has breeded his Shihapoo. I dont know if he plans on doing it again, but Nettie, the mommy, is awesome. She's a sweetie.

Yeay, puppies.

[quackaquacka.livejournal.com]

...You have a cat? What kind?

[http://users.livejournal.com/_geekie_/]

Hm. Now might be the time for a good ol' responsibility lesson. :D

What about starting with a fish. Say, a betta, since they're hearty and easy to take care of. If Charlie takes really good care of the feeshie, then he can get a dog.

Bettas require a pinch of food a day, they can live in a small bowl with no special equipment (just as long as said bowl is kept in a warm place), and what's more: they're cheap. And they don't bark and need to be walked. (But put a mirror in front of their bowl and watch them attack it with fins flared! So amusing. Funny, aggressive fish.)

just don't get one like this

[purplemer3.livejournal.com]

It's tiny and breakable and I'm always afraid of tripping over it or picking it up the wrong way.

Or maybe I'm just bitter that my roommates keep a dog in their 8'x16' bedroom 23 hours a day, and yell at it a lot.

Dogs are a lot of work, but they are also very rewarding pets. They think everything you do is wonderful!