My kids really want a dog. Our friends ACK lab had puppies and they just got weaned. My sister and brother-in-law took one and love him. They have a couple left. I'm inclined to say yes, but hubby says no. He says we may as well have another kid instead. I think a puppy wouldn't be as much work as baby. As for our situation: I am at home most of the day and have three active kids ages 3-8 with lots of extra-curricular activities and three cats. Hubby says that with three books due in 2007, I would be hating life and the dog. Any opinions? Are puppies that much work? Thanks!

Yes, puppies are a lot of work, just think of it as a baby with four legs and no diapers!  But, if you are willing to consider it YOUR dog and YOUR responsiblity, it can be very rewarding.  Keep in mind, though, if you go anywhere or do anything, it will have to be around when the dog would need to go out, be fed, etc.  While I don't think you would be the type to ever hate the dog, it can certainly complicate things. 

Dogs can be great pets, but they are a lot more work than a cat.  Unless, of course, you can teach the dog to use the litter box!! :)

Puppies are a pain, especially the ones that never grow out of the "puppy" stage.

Hi Mel, how are you?

Puppies yes they are alot of work. You are at their beck and call until they are trained; my Spyro was very easy to train. The "nippy" stage was a bit difficult - he used to sleep with me and one night he chewed off my bangs LOL!  I had 3 cats when we brought Spyro into the house. He is a golden retriever, he made our house feel like a home.

I don't want to sound like a downer - there is one thing to realize - sometimes our animals do not outlive our children or sometimes we (the adults) get very attached to our dogs and they may leave us before their time and before we are ready.

Be careful when choosing your puppy and investigate your breeder. Puppies are wonderful for children - with your little ones - teach the puppy quickly that no nipping is allowed (puppies have sharp little teeth!).

Marilyn

P.S. What kind of Lab? Labs and Retrievers are the same type of dog - they are warm and loving and the perfect dogs for families with kids. They're not "yappy" dogs and they love people; all they really need is a little TLC!  I should have simply said that my Spyro is very sick; he is 7 years old and has a neurological problem; the problem is in his cerebellum - this is the hard part of owning animals - otherwise labs and retrievers and the best!

 

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. The puppy was a chocolate lab. Though my kids and I did everything within our power to get hubby to change his mind, he wouldn't. And now there are no puppies left:( The hopeful optomist part in me imagines finding one of those puppies under the tree on Christmas morning, but I know my hubby and that is so NOT going to happen. Oh, well... someday we'll have a dog join the family.

And sorry I haven't been on chat for so long. Back during GR I was working on a book proposal and sold not only that one, but two more books. The first two have really tight deadlines so with Christmas, the kids and writing I've been being good and writing instead of going to chat and playing trivia. But I'm trying to still stop by here and check out the blogs and the forums at least a couple times a week!

Good for you, Mel!! At least some of us are focusing on work, lol!!  Sorry it didn't work out for the puppy, but when your kids get older, it might be a better time.  Mar is right, labs are wonderful dogs.  As much as I have loved spaniels and spaniel mixes over the years, they are nippy little dogs.  My current dog is a cocker spaniel/poodle/border collie/australian cattle dog mix.  She thinks nipping at the heels of running kids is like herding animals!  A wonderfully loyal little dog (only 15 pounds, smaller than my daughter's cat), and we knew the parents which is very important.  If and when you do get a puppy, be sure it is at a less crazy time than Christmas, and remember that training is very important.  Good luck!!