I had planned on writing a super deep, thoughtful, and insightful post.
But then Pat gave me PERMISSION to buy this:
And I’ve been trying to talk myself out of it ever since. What is he thinking giving me the green light like that?
So I’ve spent the rest of the night looking at ALLLLLLL the puppies in the classifieds.
I’m holding back. My Mom is strongly advising against a puppy purchase and even as an adult with my own house and kids and responsibilities…I still have a hard time making my own choices.
Mostly because she’s always right. Do I really want to learn the hard way?
Again?
mom: You’re not still thinking about a puppy are you?
me: Yes actually I am.
mom: Kathy NO! Don’t do it, don’t do it, don’t do it!
me: Well Bianca just got TWO puppies and she’s doing fine.
mom: Bianca’s kids are older, they’re helpful, you’ve got your hands full…absolutely not I forbid it!
me: But mom it will just be a teeny tiny little fella. SO cute…I can take care of it and we will be best friends.
mom: No. Where will he go potty? You can’t put a small dog like that out in your backyard, you’re going to have to go out with it every time, it’s going to pee all over your house, and you’re going to hate it…eagles will SWOOP down and carry it off…you’re not thinking this through.
me: I’ve never seen an eagle in these parts.
mom: They’ll COME.
me: Ohhh…I never thought of that before.
mom: And raccoons!
me: It’s not like raccoons are going to bust out in the middle of the afternoon and grab my dog mom.
mom: They’ll COME.
me: Ohhhh…I never thought of that before.
mom: So you just shoo that idea of a dog right out of your mind. You’ve done this since you were little. You get a vision of how perfect things will be. You see this dog snuggled up on your lap and following you around and you don’t think about the pee and the kids and the barking and the whining and the costs and the chewing and the
me: Okay okay! I get it!
mom: So you’re not getting a puppy?
me: I don’t know…it’s just they’re so cute! Tiny little fellas…we could be best friends….
mom: *waving white flag*
Allyssa says
I love this – Gave me a good chuckle. Puppies are cute but so much work. My husband and I really want to get our dogs & we want them as pups – But I told him no way, no how will we be getting TWO puppies until we have a backyard and until he is always home to help me with them – Especially with a new baby coming in a matter of weeks. A new born is enough for me.
But they are cute. And do LOOK and seem innocent. But they aren’t so cute when they poop in your house, or chew on your favorite pair of expensive shoes. . . Or the corner of your couch.
Cats are cool and easy – Get a cat. They’re cute, too!
Mama Kat says
You make a decent argument…I know it’s all true, but we would be best friends!
And we have two cats, but Kainoa has cat allergies so they bug me.
MrsW says
It doesn’t get any better – I am 42 and my mother stll tries to tell me what I can and cannot do – I suppose it’s my fault for not disagreeing convincingly enough!
Grow up! GET THE PUPPY!
Otherwise you can look forward to decades of “you can’t wear that, get your haircut, you are going to let your daughter do what?” and you’d be as well moving back into the parental home…. hmmmm cooked breakfast…. ironed clothes…. no rent…. babysitter on tap…. what am I saying?
dysfunctional mom says
Your mom sounds just like mine, always telling me what to do and always anti-pet! She’ll ask me sometimes “how many DOGS do you have NOW?” and I say “Do you really want to know the answer to that question??”
Good luck with the decision!
Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" says
I think you should listen to mom on this one. Puppies are A LOT of work. Waiting until your children are old enough to really take on the responsibility of a pet would make more sense. I just found out today that it takes four months before puppies can control their bladders through the night, and some even longer! I say visit a friend’s dog instead for now.
Sharon says
I just had the puppy conversation last night. Sigh….. Only my DH said I can only get one if I get rid of a our current dog or one happens to wander into our yard. And you are brave, there is no way I will even tell my Mom that I am thinking about it!
busygirl says
My mom was furious when I said that I wanted to get a dog on my own…of course, being an adult and out of college, yada yada she couldn’t really ‘stop’ me. Turns out she LOVES the dog and begs me to bring him home to see her all the time! They’re not too much work, but I would look into adopting an older dog like we did (look for a dog that’s about 4 years old). They tend to be gentler with children, are already trained – plus everyone wants the puppies so these dogs have a harder time getting adopted! Look around in your area for shelters or rescues, we actually got our dog from a cat rescue surprisingly. And we love him to the moon and back1 Happy shopping!
Los says
We have hawks in our area, and they’ve been known to try and attack tiny dogs, as well as take Koi out of fish ponds … just sayin’.
Shanna says
Am I allowed to agree with your mom? Well, I’m not much of a dog person to begin with, but seriously? A puppy? Peeing and pooping and walking and whining. And that’s the KIDS! I mean a dog would only ADD to that chaos!!
Amy says
I have considered a puppy too, for the last several months…but I think like your mom! So we don’t have one, and I don’t know if we ever will. Frankly, I don’t do well with puppy poop…and I have CARPET!!
ohn says
Ok…hear me out.
Get 2 puppies. I SWEAR 2 actually are easier than 1. They tire each other out, when one is doing its business outside, the other will watch and catch on right away (almost like kids both wanting the same swing when there are 47 empty ones) and I promise, if you regret it, you can give them to me.
So get the puppIES, let the kids eat candy for breakfast, do it. You are woman, hear you roar. (or bark a cute teeny little bark).
Sarah says
Okay, so I’m a mother of three boys, aged 7, 3 & 2. We got a new labrador retriever puppy four days before Christmas. Yes, she pees inside still sometimes, but it’s not so bad. We deal. Yes, I’m pulling plastic toys out of her mouth, and shoes, and dryer sheets (?), but it’s not so bad. What we get back is worth all of it. She cuddles, she licks, she lifts our spirits.
We are all looking forward to Spring. If the fact that she jumps in the bath tub or shower with EVERY CHANCE is any indication, she’s gonna have a good time with some rainy Spring weather, and some Summer sprinklers.
I say DO IT! You know you want to. You’ve been thinking about it and wishing for it for long enough. Get a crate, buy stock in Puperoni Treats and just do it. :)
trash says
Ummm .. we have three dogs and two children and I used to do homebased childcare. The old men dogss are 15 & 12 and the puppy is 13m old. Am saying nothing else ;-)
Justine says
Okay, OMG, even though I know you made up that conversation it was absolutely hilarious!
GET THE PUPPY!
Justine :o )
3 Men & a Lady says
I actually know someone that DID have their dog swooped up by a bird of prey. LOL, sorry but I laugh every time I think about it. They were all outside in their yard and a giant hawk flew down, snapped him up, and that litle Yorkie was bird feed.
But it’s an awfully cute pup, if you really want it, get it!
Coco says
Puppies are super cute. But dealing with all the pee and poo with small kids and a daycare…ewww. And when one of the kids steps or sits in it. Just prepare yourself. You will get exhausted by all the mess…but will adore him.
Kathy says
If you get one young enough, they can usually be trained to not attack… I want a Yorkie bad…..That one in the picture is adorable!
June Freaking Cleaver says
The whole “biting the baby’s face off” thing didn’t satisfy your puppy hunger?
You’re a stubborn lil monkey, aren’t you?
Stephanie @ Geezees says
Hilarious conversation between you and your mom, i say get the puppy, sorry mom ;)
LaMereJoie says
My now six month old pup barks nonstop from 3am till 8am then sleeps the rest of the morning for no good reason. And it’s not housebreakable. That said, I love him and would never get rid of him. It’s really a toss up. Puppies are adorable, but had I known beforehand, I might have waited for an older, already trained pooch.
Tina says
I would never do a puppy with my daycare.
1. Increased liability…check your insurance. Kids pester and puppies bite (remember!)
2. POOP. You wanna be outside several times a day scooping it all up so somebody does not sit, step or play in it?
3. PEE. Wanna keep cleaning it up in the house to keep your “sanitary” requirement in check? Stinky house, ruined carpet padding…
Eyegirl says
I’m going to have to agree with your mom on this one. (Sorry!) I love dogs. I have two dogs. And if I had a dollar for every time I broke down in tears of frustration trying to train them, I’d be a very very rich woman. My entire journey with them as small puppies is documented in my blog, and when I go back and read about it now, I wonder how I survived. It was as an awesome weight loss program though, as I was too busy to eat and lost 10 lbs! :) I’d say wait until your kids are a little older, and you are ready for sleepless nights all over again. Puppies are just like human babies, but without the convience of diapers.
Lindsay @ Kids Are Teachers says
Gotta be honest, I’ve had that exact conversation with my mother too many times to count! Good luck with the decision. I will not tell you if you can or can’t!
Foursons says
Don’t do it! Especially a puppy! They are soooo much work. Wait until the kids are older and they can help out.
Jen says
Get it, but I suggest getting 2 puppies. We got 2 yorkie littermates, and they slept through the night right away, no crying. They play with each other and wear each other out. Sure there will be accidents and chewed up things, but they are worth it when they cuddle up with you and give you kisses. Dogs bring so much joy when you are feeling down and give you unconditional love no matter what.
Jenny says
awww but he’s so cute….I’m not helping…Sorry I will do better…Don’t Do It.
Gail says
No one else has mentioned here yet, but PLEASE be sure that you are not getting a dog from a puppy mill. If you want a purebred puppy, find a responsible breeder, go visit, expect them to interview you, expect to have to sign a contract. Anything less is unacceptable and you will be contributing to the enormous pet overpopulation. Check out http://www.stoppuppymills.org.
I have never trained a little dog, but I do hear they are about 100 times harder to train than a big dog:) Tiny bladders, high-pitched cries, and sharp little puppy teeth. Eeks!! There might be something to getting 2 at once…but that means twice as many vets bills, food, toys, etc. Two really do cost twice as much as one.
That all being said, my whole life I wanted a puppy. My mom told me NO. My senior year of college, my boyfriend suggested we go get one, and it was the best decision I ever made. He is my best friend, the only one that has not abandoned me at some point over the past 10 years. (including that boyfriend who is now my husband!)
If you want it, and you think you are up to it, and you promise to tell us all about it so we can laugh at how you got no sleep and then stepped in a fresh pile of poo when you got out of bed in the morning…go for it! (as long as you don’t buy off of the internet or a pet store) :)
Anne says
Thank you, Gail! I agree wholeheartedly and would also suggest trying to find a puppy through local shelters or rescue groups. Make sure you don’t go to a pet store, as those puppies almost always come from puppy mills. In addition to puppy mills being horrible, no good, very bad places, the puppies that come from there have much higher chances of having kennel cough or other diseases that can be costly and frustrating to take care of. When you purchase your puppy, make sure you get a copy of your state’s “Pet Lemon Law” as well as verification that where ever you get your puppy complies with that law. It basically says that if you get your puppy home and within two weeks you find out that it had a pre-existing medical condition, you can return the puppy.
Anne says
Thank you, Gail! I agree wholeheartedly and would also suggest trying to find a puppy through local shelters or rescue groups. Make sure you don’t go to a pet store, as those puppies almost always come from puppy mills. In addition to puppy mills being horrible, no good, very bad places, the puppies that come from there have much higher chances of having kennel cough or other diseases that can be costly and frustrating to take care of. When you purchase your puppy, make sure you get a copy of your state’s “Pet Lemon Law” as well as verification that where ever you get your puppy complies with that law. It basically says that if you get your puppy home and within two weeks you find out that it had a pre-existing medical condition, you can return the puppy and get your money back. Of course, if you get a puppy from a shelter you know that it’s been recently checked by a vet, and they’ll be very open and honest about any pre-existing conditions. ;)
jenna says
AWW it looks so cute!! I don’t have any advise for you because I have two dogs and no kids so I can’t identify with your crisis but I can tell you that my sister’s 4 lb yorkie almost really did get taken away by and owl. It swooped down out of a tree and my mom ran at it screaming and waving her arms and saved the dog. ha
Karen says
I say GET ONE! I was so nervous about getting a puppy and it has turned out to be the best decision ever! You can train them the way you want with sweet little personalities. If you crate train them it will change your life! they love their crates and will sleep all night in there . I vote YES!!!
Katherine says
Don’t do it!! Well, do it if you want to. But puppies are so hard. It’s like having another kid. Uhh, it just makes me shudder. I have a fish and between that, the two boys, and the husband, and the job, it is all I can handle.
Jennifer says
Moms are all the same. I bet you will be doing the same thing to your kids in 20 years. If you want a dog, get a dog, just don’t complain after you get it that it pees and poops all over the floor and chews up all your furniture and the kids toys.
Rebekah says
I got a little yorkie a few years ago and it was the biggest mistake!! He barked all the time. Pee’d all over my house. I would take him out watch him pee no less than 5x’s. Once we came inside he would hike his little leg and pee all over the wall. When I started my own home daycare it was even worse. The barking got worse and when the kids would sleep he would wake them up barking. I finally had to give him away when he hiked his leg and pee’d all over one of the kids feet.
I always wanted and dreamed about having a small dog. Never again!!!
Ashley says
I want a puppy. I look at the classifieds every day. A yorkie or a pit bull. My mom keeps telling me no too, but thats because I am staying with her until I finish building my house (which better be soon!). But by hell as soon as I have that house with the fence there will be a dog in it. Most likely the pit, because inspite of thier bad reputation, they are the bestest dogs. So my suggestion? get one thats a tad older, maybe trained a little. Let someone else do the work then say see mom! my best friend!
Kristin @ ArtsyMom says
I say get the dog. :D I’ve had two little lap dogs in my life and sure they’re a responsibility, but they’re also full of joy. My kids love my Yorkie. :)
Bianca says
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!!! Don’t do it. Just picture wet, pee soaked socks of not only your children but the daycare children. I would be totally grossed out if my kid stepped in your dogs pee. They are so time consuming.
WHAT IS PAT THINKING!!! I just had a conversation with my hubbie two nights ago letting him know that someone has to be the voice of reason. He should have stopped me before I came home with the first puppy. Thank goodness we have my grown kids to pick up poop and let them in and out all evening long. I am lazy and I don’t like to get off of my couch to let the dogs outside and then get back up to let them inside.
Dont. Do. It.
On top of that, the cost is outrageous. Getting them spayed, shots, flee control. It’s out of control.
Don’t. Do. It.
helen says
“We’ll be best friends”. Lol! You are so funny :). I hope you find a great puppy that you will all be happy with. Just make sure it get’s all of it’s shots though, my niece just had an unfortunate experience with her new puppy because of parvo.
S Club Mama says
an eagle will swoop down…has your mom seen The Proposal? lol
just think, a puppy (an untrained puppy) is just like a newborn.
Blythe says
Oh, do it. Puppies are so wonderful! And you’ll be able to teach your kids how to be helpful and responsible. I grew up with dogs, and I can’t imagine life without them!
Mary @ Holy Mackerel says
Yes, the eagles will come.
I am like you, I see a cute puppy, and I just “know” it would be a wonderful addition to the house. Yeah, right.
I’ve done it, and am glad ,but our puppy was already 6 months old, and sort of potty trained by then. Thank god!
Ashley @ Just Another Mom of 2 says
Good luck with whatever you decide! It would be a lot of work, but if you don’t travel a lot, it could be good- and fun! Anxious to see if you listen to your mom..
Jen says
Not that I regret my dog at all, but listen to your mom, Kat. Dogs are a lot of work, especially house-training them; you really have to be patient and consistent. It’s time-consuming! The one good thing you have going on is, assuming you get the puppy really young, it will be well socialized with all the children it is going to be around! Dogs adapt to that type of thing early.
Jennie says
I have been wanting a puppy too! I prefer big dogs, I think they are way more gentle with kids. We raised and bred rotties while I was growing up. Now I have my sights on a German Shepherd :) As for the potty training try puppy pads and slowly move them towards the door, and give lots of potty-tunities outside. They are plastic lined so the floor stays dry and they scent them so puppy wants to go on them. Just go into it knowing that you may lose some cute shoes and a few toys and that there will be some accidents. But I wouldn’t be without a dog, I love them. When choosing one don’t go for a dominant personality, or a timid dog, just mid range that has even temperament (not a yorkie…) ;)
Heather says
If your mum forbids something, isn’t it the law that you have to do it?
amber says
I am absolutely pro-puppy. However, you should remember that having a puppy is almost like having a newborn – you will be up several times a night (but OUTSIDE, which is worse), you will be unable to be away from home for very long at all (those puppies have to pee a lot), everything will get chewed…
And none of it will matter, because you will be madly in love and unable to believe the cuteness that is your puppy.
Michelle @ One Crafty Mama says
For all their cuteness….puppies are a pain in the ass. But hey, if you are up for all the work, then go for it.
Melissa O'Connor says
I think you should get a puppy. A small dog though since you have children. You won’t regret it.
Warning….
I wanted a Golden Retriever since I was a little girl.So one day my boyfriend and I went into petco to see if they knew of any local breeders and one of the Animal Rescue groups was there. Lets just say we ended up with the cutest german shepherd chow mix. So after that we HAD to get him a playmate and ended up finding the perfect Golden retriever. She even had white paws that made her look like she was wearing shoes. ( which I love!!!) So beware they can be addicting.
But get a puppy! Your kids will love it! Just don’t end up with two 70 pounds dogs like me.
gina says
I insisted on getting a puppy about six months after our previous puppy (yes, puppy, 18 months old) died suddenly from a heart attack.
Long story short: we don’t have that puppy anymore. Learn from my mistake.
Emmy says
Okay from someone who grew up with a dog and loved it, but who is now a mom with little ones.. listen to your mama!
Just go back and read about the evil dog that bit your kids!
Shelley says
My mom loves dogs like me so she understnads me wanting one. Especially when we get a house. Not going to have a dog in a one bedroom apartment! But my husbands parents don’t like dogs and they are very much like your mom! Very discouraging. But, as long as you know that it WILL be a lot of work and mostly YOUR job to do it until the kids can help you…I say why not? If you can afford it and have the time to be with them and such…I think you can handle it. You are Mama Kat after all! If you can handle day care and tons of little mice babies (hehe) then I am sure you can handle this!
Caren D says
OMG- Kat! NO! NO!
No dogs for you! NO! Its not right for your family, for your lifestyle. YOUR KIDS HAVE BEEN BIT 3X!!! Stop- walk away!
A puppy will be a freaking nightmare and you will wind up giving it to the pound or a friend or something, perpetuating the problem.
Joy says
oh think about it for a while, if you want it do it. We are dog people and yes they are alot of work but gosh I love them and they love us.
the 2 puppy idea is good they will keep each other company during the night. do NOT i repeat do NOT get one from a pet store puppy mill all the way. Go to the breeders house and demand to see at least momma if not both parents. little dogs are easy for puppy millers and tend to be high $ for them.
ask lots of questions like what if you get it home and in about 5 days you are loosing your mind and want to bring it back will they take it?
Pooba says
As far as I’m concerned, you should stop listening to your parents the minute you move out of the house.
Get the puppy!
Jack says
My parent’s dog just had 8 puppies. There is no way my kids are going to let that go, or should I just admit that I want a puppy too.
Lourie says
Listen to your mom. You will be the one doing the work. Be strong.
KrisK says
We have a dog who is now 12, but we’ve had her since she was a puppy. I must admit the first several weeks were ROUGH!!! Oh my gosh…potty every 30 minutes…whining at night…it was tough. And I didn’t have any kids!!! Yes, they are cute, but I won’t do it again. At least not until my DD is at least 10 and can do much of the work. Adopt dogs that are at least a year old? Well, scratch that, maybe closer to 2, I’m all for it.
Also, the BEST way to ensure you are NOT getting a dog from a puppy mill is to contact the local rescue group for that breed. Ask if they have any puppies…or call the local kennel club of the breed you want…asking if any of their members are expecting a litter of puppies. You’ll know they are legitimate, responsible breeders. It’s what we did with our sweet Golden puppy who’s now a “senior” dog…we got our 2nd one from a (fairly) local rescue, but he was almost 2 when we got him.
p-huong says
I had a conversation with my friend about how I thought it was cute to have kids and a dog grow up together, you know like when I would like to start a family. She screamed, “NNOOO!” My friend had a puppy when she was a kid and it passed away while she young (maybe middle school age or early high school.) She said she was not old enough to handle it well and told me not to get a puppy until my future kids are older. Just a heads up. Then again, she said looking back maybe they should have taken better care of the dog. Good luck with the puppy!
Sammy says
I’m kinda biased because I have a little teacup chihuahua however I always have had big dogs (my parent’s still have one of the dogs I grew up with) so I know first had how much time it takes to train them. Big dogs grow fast and make bigger messes, where as with little dogs = smaller messes and all their ‘stuff’ (toys, food, crate, etc) is smaller and that makes them easy to travel with. :) But with either size, training takes a lot of work. Good luck with the puppy decision!
Messy Mommy says
Hubby has always wanted a dog and I always tell him we might as well have another kid! Now that we’re done having kids, I told him when I get baby fever again we can get a dog. :)
Eileen says
PS In my family we have had 4 small breed puppies, and they were all litter-box trained. With a small-breed, it’s totally possible. My current puppy (the fourth) is litter box trained when left in his “room” (bigger than a crate since he’s alone for long periods of time) and when he’s out will go outside. By himself. No eagles yet. :-) Though I do know someone whose shih tzu was taken by a bird of prey. So..definitely is possible. Just saying, options exist!
Funkidivagirl says
I have a puppy and I love him to death and I’m so glad that I got him. BUT he is a ton of work and really a 3rd child (the 3rd baby that I never had). Do it…get a puppy for you and your kids, but just know that you are taking on more responsibility. I did TONS of research before getting my puppy, so I went into it with my eyes wide open.
Mama Kat says
Ugh. We won’t be doing another rescue dog after the last situation…unless it’s a rescue puppy. I don’t trust the older ones with the little kids. There’s too much unknown history there!