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Is it Time for a Dog?
I feel like I'm avoiding the inevitable. By Alaina Sheer
Last week on our Saturday adventures Benjamin disappeared over a hill at the park. I dashed to the top and could see that my little three-year-old, but only as a little spec on the horizon. He'd ran to the park's edge to pet a stranger's dog.
When he came back he wouldn't stop talking about the dog. And then I said what I promised myself I would never say, "do you want a dog sweetie?"
Garrrrrrrr....
Why am I such a nim wit sometimes? Why do I even let the words fall out of my mouth?
"Yes! Yes! I want a dog Mommy."
Of course he wants a dog. What little boy wouldn't want a dog?
For the rest of the afternoon Benjamin is chasing down dogs. Rather than pull on their ears of coarse his fingers though their fur in the wrong direction, Benjamin was gently petting each one and asking the dog's owner, "what's his name?"
And by the end of the day he had me thinking, is it time for a dog?
We've been a family of two plus two pesky cats for three years. Should we add one more? There are a few major pros to having a dog, from what I can tell, and they include:
- Protection and security, which is doubly important when you are a single mom.
- Friendship. Man's best friend, right? I know Benjamin could use a pal.
- Friend and date maker. Dogs are great ways to break the ice with other parents when you're out and about or even men! Hmmm....
- Walking all year round.
- Vet bills.
- Slobber and all things doggish like mud, dirt and smelliness.
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Copyright 2009 WE: Women's Entertainment LLC. All rights reserved.
I have been a dog owner all my life. I have had cats in the past, but my youngest son is allergic so we cannot have one now. Dogs need a lot of attention, and unlike a cat, you cannot leave food and water out and take off for a day or a weekend. I love my dog (he's a little 5lb. min pin), but when I want to have a girlfriend's weekend away, I have to find someone who is willing to dog sit. He goes camping with us, but not all campgrounds allow dogs. Some motels allow dogs, but you can't just leave him in a room while you go out and enjoy yourself. There is a lot to consider when you start thinking about getting a dog. Do you have the time/energy it takes to spend with a dog? The money it costs to take care of them when they get sick? If you decide to get a dog I recommend a mutt (mixed breed) over a pure bred. I was just talking to the receptionist at the vet last night and we agreed that they are less prone to illnesses than the purebreds. That's my two cents; just something for you to think about.
I got my first dog when I was a young, single mama myself. He was a 10+ year old black lab named Dakota who'd been in the city shelter for about three months. He barked the heck out of anyone who came near my back fence, slept on my feet, went on walks with me, and was an all around great dog for the 5+ years I had him.
We now have two more, Stella (a pit mix) and Molly (a border collie mix) who are both also shelter dogs and they are amazing dogs.
In case you couldn't tell, I am a huge advocate of adopting from shelters. I've been volunteering at our local shelters and rescues since we got Dakota because I realized there are so many amazing dogs out there who are killed at shelters.
I personally don't mind having a dog. I never minded the walking when we were apartment dwellers (a reason to get your butt off the couch) and having always had mutts, my vet bills were never too expensive (just the end-of-life stuff was pricey but........worth it, in a sad way).
I have to clean more. But I'm anal about that anyways.
I don't know you personally so you'd have to figure out for yourself how committed you are to the idea. I would say that no matter what, remember that this animal is a thinking, feeling being and that it's a lifetime commitment. Don't get a dog if you have any thought of turning it into a shelter if it doesn't work out.
And, if you decide to, please please adopt from a shelter. :)
One other thing.........traveling can be a pain. We are lucky we have fellow animal loving friends locally to dog sit when we go places we can't take the doggies, but it does sometimes put a hamper on travel plans.
I have my first dog at the time of childhood.
It was very cute, i always played with her.
Baby Gear
I would recommend a Newfoundland. Your son could learn to ride him like a horse, so there will be no need for walks. I cannot help your with the vet bills, which will go up in gigantic leaps. Remember that our president is deternined to make us into a second Weimar Republic, so that with runaway inflation, you better get a second job to afford the vet bills.Of course, there is always impeachment, but that is another story. Newfoundland dogs love water and one of the cleanest dogs around. There are sprays and doggie colognes available and incidentally, Newfoundlands need a lot of grooming. A well groomed dog smells like a rose. You will fall in love with your Newfoundland and incidentally, he is the same color as the president, so it would be the patriotic thing to do.