Okay, in all honesty we all kinda want one. She (we) want a beagle. Now, just in case you non-dog-breed-knowing peeps out there are thinking basset hound, let me make it known that we want a beagle. They look like this:
Awww.... So stinkin' cute. Small enough to be inside, but its not a little, yippy dog.
Anyway, Ana is really the puppy advocate around here. She asks for one every day. EVERY DAY. Conversations go something like this.
"Mom, can we go buy a puppy today?"
"Not today, Ana."
"But I'll be so happy if you buy one. Please, please, please can we buy one."
or this:
"Mom, what's 8 + 8?"
"16"
"What's 16 + 16?"
"32."
"What's 32 + 32?"
"64."
"What's 64 + 64?"
"128."
"So, it costs 128 dollars to buy a puppy?"
or this:
Grandma: "What will happen if your puppy has an accident on the floor?"
"Oh, I'll clean it up. But if it poops on the floor, then I'll ask Dad to help."
You get the idea. She really wants a puppy. I am usually the sole voice of reason in this matter. I wouldn't mind a puppy either, but I am not interested in potty-training a dog with 20 inches of snow outside and besides, I'm having a baby in August and we decided that we needed to get pay off our credit cards before we get a puppy (which will be done by the end of the month, thank-you-very-much-tax-returns).
While we were out shopping on Saturday, Dave decided on a whim that we should go into a pet store and see what info they have on puppy buying/owning. Little did we know that it also happened to be the weekend that the Animal Rescue center brought actual puppies into the store.
I think Ana might have died in there. And I admit the little beagle/boxer puppy mix was so stinkin' adorable I almost caved. But I held strong, even with Dave and Ana giving me pleading looks, and we left puppy-less.
We walked out of the store with me trailing behind Dave and Ana. There conversation went as follows:
"Dad, I really want to buy that puppy."
"I know, Ana. I do too. What do you think we should do?"
"Well, we could take Mom home and then buy one when she isn't here."
She really latched onto this idea too. All the way home she talked about going to our house, getting some money and then she and Dad would go back and buy the puppy. She begged and pleaded and plotted for 20 straight minutes for a puppy. I wish I had a picture of the look on her face. It was classic.
It didn't happen. We still don't have a puppy. But don't be surprised if we end up with one when the weather warms up. I don't know how much longer I can hold those two back.
So, any tips for a future dog owner?
Happy V-day.
10 comments:
First of all, congrats on expecting in August!
The dog story is really cute! When we got our golden retriever, I had to take her out at least every 2 hours, yes in the snow and in the middle of the night. I really had to stay on top of it. After maybe 3 months, we did not have to worry much about accidents. Now she is a little over a year, and we do not have to worry about her at all. Of course, we would reward her with treats when she went potty outside.
Some people kennel there dogs as well, but I do not have any experience with it.
I'd say if you want that type of commitment, go for it. Our dog is a big dog. So she can go out and in, which makes it nice for when we go somewhere. She is REALLY good with the kids. They can ride her, pull on her ears or tail, and whatever else you can think of and she wont even budge or get mad at them. So, in that aspect we are glad that we did not get a smaller dog.
Good luck on your decision!
Elizabeth
lol, we've been through that all before. And we now have a 6 month old JRT puppy who is FINALLY house trained!!! (think newborn-baby-meets-potty-training-toddler and you'll understand what the first 4 months of puppy ownership entails... I am DEAD serious. You would be crazy to try it right now... no offense). ;)
My only advice is this: look into the breeds you are considering. If it's a mix/mutt, that's great! But find out about the main breeds in the mix. If you really want a Beagle, then I'm sure you've looked into them. But if not, I am warning you: Beagles are adorable. Beagles are VERY loyal and loving and GREAT family dogs. But they bark/yip a lot. Seriously - A LOT. And because they are hunting dogs, their sense of smell is amazing. Once they latch on to a scent or get "on the hunt" they will drag you all over the park, or race in front of oncoming traffic without a second thought. I love beagles. We were considering either a Beagle or a JRT, but because of these things I've mentioned, we decided on the JRT. Beagles can be great... but they take very particular owners. :)
Good luck holding your ground... and congrats on paying off cc debt!! (we did the same thing with our tax return, hehehe)
p.s. I've had dogs all my life which included raising a few puppies as well. I worked at Petsmart for 5 years and was also a groomer for a time, so seriously - I would be happy to answer any questions for you. :)
If you get a puppy I will be jealous. I've been begging Harry for a puppy since we got married. He keeps saying no because of the vet bills, but I know it's because he's a cat person. Dang cat people. I've raised at least 3 puppies in my lifetime. I can handle a puppy.
Hey - Erin! You knew I couldn't keep my mouth shut. You also know how little my dog is (10 pounds) and even though Jens has pulled ears and tail, squashed and generally mauled her - Crystal has never even attempted to bite or nip. Total patience. Some small breeds really like children - just do your research. And be sure to ask the breeder (be careful of buying through a pet store) which is more mellow for your breed -male or female. It really varies with breed and can make a big difference in how well you and your dog get along. One more thing - personal experience suggests that a new puppy and a new baby at the very same time can kill a new mom. I would seriously advise getting a puppy as soon as you can to give house training and family blending a chance to kick in before the baby arrives. Taking a puppy potty in the cold and snow isn't a party, but it is easier than having a nursing baby and a house training puppy who both need you NOW for a good share of the day. Been there done that and I wouldn't do it again. Just sayin' - flush what you can't use, call if you want to hear anything else. Otherwise I will shut up and just say "Yay!" for Ana (and the rest of the family) when the new dog comes home. Good luck
IF....or I guess I should say WHEN we get a puppy, we will TOTALLY be doing the kennel gig. Our friends did it with their dog. The dog goes in the kennel when people come over, anytime they leave the house, and at night. They claimed that he potty trained faster too! Kevin's been asking too. Although he isn't quite as old as Ana, so he doesn't have his begging/bargening quite down yet!!!
Cute puppy choice. My cousins (that I nannied for for 4 years) had one. We were ALWAYS searching for it. He could get out of the yard on a whim chasing after his nose. Good luck. I'm excited for you all. There's a part of me that wants to give in cause I love little dogs, but the cold outside part speaks stronger then the rest!
Erin, I have a 3 year old "Docker" He is a dachshund-cocker spaniel mix. totally house broken and great with kids that I might be needing to find either a foster home or a forever home for soon...if you want to think about taking him...let me know. I would much prefer he go to someone I already know and trust
You know President Monson Says every child should have a dog. In his book there is a funny story of him as a child stealing the neighbors dogs because he wanted one. Josh reminds me of this every time our dog chews up a sippy cup or pees on the carpet and I step in it going to the bathroom in the middle of the night... oh the Joys! But she makes my kids happy, they love her!
So do you remember that nasty dog last summer at the square during lunch that was humping your blanket and wouldn't get out of your bike trailor...
Just a thought...
Dogs and I don't get along.
I think a DOG is a wonderful addition to a family! I'm going to say I think getting a puppy when you are pregnant is a horrible idea! Having a puppy is like having a toddler. Potty training, behavior training, they need LOTS of attention. More attention the Ana or Dave are going to be willing or able to give. If you get a puppy and then have a newborn it will be VERY difficult. That said if you get a dog that is two or three they are past the puppy stage and it could be a wonderful addition to your family. We had a boxer and a beagle and loved them both! The beagle was a HORRIBLE chewer as a puppy, a trait of the breed. They are also VERY vocal breed. Not only with barking and baying but also whining and "singing". but such a great dog! You could look at getting a female (which I would reccomend anyway, less "marking" problems) from a breeder. They are so mellow and clam and you can get them still fairly young. Good luck!
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