Tell me NO--I am nuts! :)

[FarmerChick]

Nicole wants a mutt.

UGH
UGH

I had great dogs my whole life with one collie, Reggie, being the best and most wonderful muttley in the world. (Love ya Reggie! )

Nicole had 2 dogs, Mica and Jimmy but they passed over a year ago from old age. She "kinda" remembers them.........and honestly I don't want another mutt right now BUT she is asking.

She isn't into horses cause I try to keep steering her to buy a horse instead of a darn mutt but she keeps saying puppy. (I want to get 2 horses for us next year but she seems to be wanting that darn dog more than a horse...ugh)


If I do it, it will be a little dog which I hate. I love BIG dogs, and those ankle biters are not my favs at all. And of course I despise animals in the house and I KNOW she is going to want this mutt in the house. UGH

I could put up a gate between the rest of the house and the giant tv/playroom of Nicoles and keep the muttly in there. At least it "would" be controlled, cause honestly I couldn't stand it in the rest of the house ever. ugh I am not an indoor pet person.....

but then I say, hell, life is short, give the kid a small mutt and lets move forward lol

who would think a small muttley would be a monster huge decision to get? I buy animals left and right at the drop of a hat and the thought of purchasing a mini mutt is driving me insane lol

plus we travel camper and I know she is going to want to take this muttley in the car and camper when we do....double, triple UGH


man oh man

UGH

I know the minute I buy this darn doggie life is going to be crappola for ME! lol


what to do

just ranting cause honestly I am soooooo on the fence to get her a hamster or fish hahaha which she really doesn't want lol

we got a million cats but none of them play....they are barn cats. One I do bring in the house for a few minutes but it doesn't play the stupid cat stays with me and doesn't want anything to do with her......lol


ugh ugh ugh

should I bite the bullet for the next 12-15 years and get a mini mutt-----

OMG 12 years with a mutt!




yikes



OK everyone throw out thoughts cause Tony just sighs the biggest sigh when I say I know I need to get her a dog, but an outside big dog just isn't going to cut it with her and I ain't letting no big dog in the house, so a mini mutt is choice I think...........well can ya all see I don't have a freakin' clue if to do this or not LOL

Tony says I am making a big mistake cause I tell him over and over again that the people who camp with 2-3 dogs in the camper are insane! I wouldn't do it ever, yet now I am thinking about it UGH



ok everyone throw out thoughts just ranting

 

[ksalvagno]

Why not get a dog that will be around 20-30 pounds. That way it is a smaller dog but not the tiny dogs. What is one more mouth to feed and it will make your daughter happy!

 

[me&thegals]

This is so completely up to you WE don't have to clean up after it, feed it, vacuum fur

My kids would love an inside lap dog, too, but it is just not happening. I'm just too anal about keeping the house clean and don't want another thing to clean up after. We will probably get them a Lab this spring, though. It will be an outside dog, something more for them to snuggle and love, and most of the mess will stay outside.

Good luck with whatever decision you come up with! In the grand scheme of things, I would say getting a child a pet is a pretty great decision as compared to, for example, buying her a TV for her own room.

 

[justusnak]

I would say, IF you decide to get her a "mutt" and since she wants it in the house, get a poodle. They are hypo alergenic....dont shed, and..fairly easy to keep, other than the grooming. They DO need to be clipped ever so often. Butm they dont shed! Good luck with your decision...getting an inside dog is a big one, especially if you dont really like inside dogs.

 

[berkshiremom]

My suggestion would be a sheltie....you mentioned you loved your collie..and shelties are like a mini collie, but bigger than an ankle biter. They are very smart and easy to train, great around other livestock and loyal. Just make her sign an agreement that she will have to be responsible for all feeding, grooming, exercising, before purchasing..lol..That's what I did with my daughter, and whenever I hear "but Mom, it's to cold to walk the dog today" or "I don't have time to brush the dog today" I bring out the agreement and remind her how BADLY she wanted a dog!!!!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

big
dogs
only

should solve lots of problems:

* snugly and fun!
* stays outside!
* keeps all them strays away

everybody wins! whoot!

 

[TanksHill]

One thing I gotta say is every mutt I have met is so darn smart. I don't know what is but my SIL's always adopt from the pound. Their dogs are always great. The larger ones are never yappy and don't have "little dog" complex.

Maybe take her there just for a visit. No bringing one home this time. Let her see all the dogs, experience there personalities. She may change her mind about a little dog.

Camping with dogs is not that bad. I do it with my Rottie. Granted it takes some getting used to. Packing his stuff and all but I like having him out there with us. Our trailer is always protected.

gina

 

[Dace]

big
dogs
only

should solve lots of problems:

* snugly and fun!
* stays outside!
* keeps all them strays away

everybody wins! whoot!

And...can keep you company on trail rides with the new horses next year.

Although, I am in indoor dog person. I think that if the dog is going to live outdoors, then it needs a friend. I don't think dogs like to be alone.

Lhasa's are pretty cute and smart....maybe a little one is a better choice.

 

[freemotion]

If you are going to keep it in the house, get a non-shedding breed or one with very short hair. The non-shedders need frequent visits to the groomer for trims, unless you like to brush everyday.

I have a poodle and a poodle mix that are in the 20-30 lb range. I don't brush them AT ALL but I do have them shaved down. It is hard to find ticks in curly hair, and that curly hair picks up and holds a lot of leaves, sticks, hay, etc unless it is very short.

I do most everything myself and pay only for absolute necessities....and having someone come to my house and shave down my dogs, clip their claws, pluck their ears (poodles need the hair inside their ears PULLED out regularly or they get infected! :/ ) and bathed is worth every stinkin' penny! I'll roll pennies for that if it is a tight month!

I keep a towel by the door and have taught them to stop and let me clean their feet on the way in.

I am FAR from a meticulous housekeeper, though. My dogs are allowed on the furniture, and I have decorated with this in mind....slipcovers that are easy to wash and hide dirt, and a duvet cover on the bed that is also easy to wash and hides stains.

If you are a fussy housekeeper, don't have a dog in the house. When Mama is happy, the whole house is happy, and when Mama isn't......well, you are the Mama and you get to decide. Having a dog is not necessary to being a well-adjusted child...and when she moves out and is paying for it, she can have all the dogs she wants!

Small dogs can live to 15-18 years, so if you get one, get one that YOU will enjoy. Consider buying from someone who breeds for their own showing...you will pay more, but you won't get a puppymill dog with all kinds of problems. That is one reason I chose the miniature...they are impossible to find, and the only ones breeding them are those who show them. This was a high-quality dog. I also got one from the pound, and he has a bunch of health problems. Wonderful, happy guy who added lots of life, energy, and laughter to our household, though, I don't regret it for a minute!

 

[Wifezilla]

I normally don't like little dogs either, but my gf has a ****zu-Pekinese mix that is awesome. Smart little thing!