OK...no one got bitten, but I'm afraid our family is getting bitten by the "Bug". What I mean is, we're thinking of getting a dog.
We had adopted 2 cats from the shelter, but have had to send them on to a new home due to the discovery of cat allergies. (Official allergy tests reveal that Scott is allergic to cats, but not to dogs).
Over a family vacation in January, we all fell in love with our "cousin" doggy, Daisy, who recently came to visit, and re-ignited the spark. Our kids are begging us to concede!
Now that my schedule has changed, prioritizing family time at home, I all of a sudden have joined the club of those who have "time" to look after a dog. The thing is, I have never owned one - EVER - and am imagining an enormous amount of work to train and care for a canine family member. Scott has had a dog, but realistically, he won't be the one home with said dog so much.
All that said, having spent time with Daisy, and visited the shelter a few times in the last few days, I am being drawn in. Today I was drawn in by "Girl" - >1 year old Aussie Shepherd who is very pretty, kind, curious and partially trained to follow commands, and by "Pebbles", a 6.5 month old Spaniel / Lab mix, who is a beauty, very good with the kids, and doesn't seem to follow any commands yet.
Oh dear. :)
We'd like a medium sized dog who doesn't require much grooming, and who also doesn't shed a whole lot. She needs to be able to learn to follow commands. We can't afford a purebred, and will most likely rescue one from the shelter. But most importantly, she needs to be kind and good with the kids and company, because we have people in our home so often.
Do you have any good dog stories/recommendations?
4 comments:
You know how much I love(d) Tucker. AND how calm and wonderful he was. BUT he was a toooon of work when a pup. I'd never ever get a puppy - more work than kids. I'd get a young one though...but never a puppy.
(I am aware that by saying 'never' this means I will surely get a puppy in the future. *sigh*....I shouldn't do that)
We've ALWAYS had shelties (Shetland Sheepdogs). They are incredibly loyal to their owners, and seek only to please. They can be left along outside to be etertained all day, because they love to "herd" birds, airplaines, squirels...you name it. Charlie has an invidible fence, and he stays outside all day right now...running off all his winter weight gain my chasing everything that moves.
That's my only recommendation...they are gorgeous and friendly and loyal...and all I've ever had to be able to recommend. Good luck :)
don't get a beagle...don't get a beagle...don't get a beagle.
I'm peached that you are thinking of adopting -- purebred dogs have such a tumultuous upbringing and are typically wrought with health and/or behavioural problems from inbreeding. Shelter dogs can be some of the greatest family pets and companion animals.
Puppies are a lot of work but the benefit of sticking through that is they grow into the personality you nutured and trained of them.
Check out resources like the ASPCA, HSUS or this link that contains other resources.
Good luck! <3
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