not this cute anymore!
Pets in the City is a little puppy shop next to the closest grocery store to our house and it's one of my boys favorite places to go. Pet stores are great entertainment, but they don't usually have puppies so this place is the bomb. Some people think it's smelly, gross and run by a bunch of foreigners, but we LOVE it! In fact, I believe the owners officially love us back. They get so excited when my boys come to visit. They know them by name and the other day when we went in for a quick stop before getting groceries, the owners convinced me to leave my kids there while I went shopping. I mean, they didn't need to beg me or anything because who doesn't want free childcare and a quite trip to the store? And the kids would WAY rather hang out with the puppies than shop for bananas and milk --the only staples in our home.
The owners like Ben and Luke but Zack is totally their favorite. He gets SO giddy in the store and can't stop laughing... but I believe the real reason they love him is because he's a marshmallow and they're shocked by his white-ness.
As much as I think these little trips to the puppy store are satisfying my kids... I know deep down that it's not good enough. I really don't want to have a puppy of our own, but I am sure I will cave in eventually. The boys are convinced that it will happen when we buy a house of our own and I am having nightmares about cleaning up hair, saliva and poop. Aren't kids enough responsibility and work? Why add a puppy to the mix? If my friend Karlin would let me adopt her dog, I would do it in a heartbeat... because Lainey is sweet, potty trained and is a vacuum after meal time. How do I know that once I get a puppy it will be a NICE one? I seriously stress about it!! My kids BEG for a dog, but I have never been a fan-- even though I always had one growing up. I really wish turtles, fish or stuffed animals would count as real pets-- but my kids are puppy lovers. what to do, what to do.... any advice would be appreciated.
PS. not that I am actually looking, but if we ever DO get a dog... what kind should we get? I want one that stays relatively small, doesn't shed, doesn't slobber, always cleans up after itself, doesn't make any noise (except when a robber comes in your house) doesn't grope anyone when they are in heat, doesn't go to the bathroom inside, only bites mean kids and makes us all happy... any suggestions?
The owners like Ben and Luke but Zack is totally their favorite. He gets SO giddy in the store and can't stop laughing... but I believe the real reason they love him is because he's a marshmallow and they're shocked by his white-ness.
As much as I think these little trips to the puppy store are satisfying my kids... I know deep down that it's not good enough. I really don't want to have a puppy of our own, but I am sure I will cave in eventually. The boys are convinced that it will happen when we buy a house of our own and I am having nightmares about cleaning up hair, saliva and poop. Aren't kids enough responsibility and work? Why add a puppy to the mix? If my friend Karlin would let me adopt her dog, I would do it in a heartbeat... because Lainey is sweet, potty trained and is a vacuum after meal time. How do I know that once I get a puppy it will be a NICE one? I seriously stress about it!! My kids BEG for a dog, but I have never been a fan-- even though I always had one growing up. I really wish turtles, fish or stuffed animals would count as real pets-- but my kids are puppy lovers. what to do, what to do.... any advice would be appreciated.
PS. not that I am actually looking, but if we ever DO get a dog... what kind should we get? I want one that stays relatively small, doesn't shed, doesn't slobber, always cleans up after itself, doesn't make any noise (except when a robber comes in your house) doesn't grope anyone when they are in heat, doesn't go to the bathroom inside, only bites mean kids and makes us all happy... any suggestions?
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14 comments:
I personally don't like that pet store, it feels like a puppy mill to me. But my kids love it too. I am all for Shih Tzu's. We have two. They don't shed, they clean up after everyone, and they don't slobber. They are also really ease to train and soooo sweet with kids. Also, they don't bark unless someone pounds on the door.
I think you are dreaming of an imaginary kind of dog. We have a good excuse, hubby is allergic to animal hair of all sorts. Fish and turtles all the way for us.
I have no clue on the dog thing because I hate dogs! Mainly because I'm allergic to them and so being around them is horrible. I mainly just wanted to tell you I'm glad you're back online!
Couple things...great post first of all. I think pet store dogs are totally puppy mill dogs too. So when you DO get one don't get it from a store like that. And you're totally dreaming up this dog. Little dogs are yappy and noisy but big dogs shed and can eat small children.
I know we will have a dog someday but that someday will be when we have a yard and the kids are old enough to pick up the doo doo and walk it!
The only experience I have with breeds of dogs are Beagles. My fam has had two. The first one, Edward was a sweetie and mellow and good with kids. Sam is a very high maintenance fellow and drives us all crazy. Matt had a Golden Retriever and 'Bear' was a perfect dog. We'll get a golden for sure but that day is far off in the distance. Yeah for pet stores though so you don't have to actually OWN them.
My brother and sister in law swear that the best way to go is to adopt a dog from a shelter. They did that a few years ago, and have an extremely good dog. If you get one from a shelter, you can get one that is already potty trained, has its shots, and you will have a good idea of what its personality is like before you take it home. Plus, I think it's free, and you are saving a dog from probably dying. As for the breed...I think mutt is the best. :-) Just look around with your kids until you fall in love.
Pets are A LOT of work. For sure. They are great vacuumers though. We have a little maltese. He really is a good dog, although at times it can be rough. It really is like another child and I feel bad he does not get more attention. The great thing about maltese dogs are they are super expensive, wait no that is not the great thing, but they have hair like humans instead of fur like most dogs. I am allergic to dogs and I thought my kids could be too so that has really been great of us. And since he has hair he does not shed at all, I have never seen a hair in my house. He does need haircuts though. He stays small. Our dog is about 7 pounds and he is 3 years old. I am not sure if this is for all his "kind" but he could not be better with our kids. He lets them walk all over him literally with not even a turn from his head. He is really good with them. I cannot complain. I would wait though until your kids are older. Well at least that is what I wished we would have done. Have fun looking. They are great little firends for your kids that is for sure. And he was really easy to house train, but that again could just be him and maybe not his breed. Oh and he is actually a maltese/pekinese which is even better for their health. I have heard to never get a full breed.
I'm just glad that I can tell my kids, "Mom's allergic...let's get a snake!"
...sounds like you need a woman in the form of a dog...good luck!
please tell me that everyone knows your kidding about your superhero dog suggestions.. come on! We know your sense of humor by now!
funny post! I love that foreigners love Zack because he's so white! and score for going grocery shopping without kiddos!
I think everyone knows I was kidding. If you don't know me by now... you will never, never, never know me... hmmmm.
and I totally wish I could pull off a snake. I would get one and I think my boys would like it, but it's definitely not a puppy. maybe I can pretend I am allergic. It sounds like a great excuse!
All I know is that you should stay away from the WHITE boxers... ours is adorable, playful and has a perfect temperment for our 3 year old- but he is deaf! We got him as a puppy and had no idea he was deaf (but have since learned that it is common in the white boxers). Try training a deaf dog- yeah, you look like an idiot screaming at your dog that can't hear you to get out of your flower beds. Boxers are really good natured though and big enough to scare away a burglar!
Is Brooke talking about underwear?....I'm embarassed! Mine scare away burglars too. I don't talk to mine though, that's just weird.
I had a friend who's dog used to eat her underwear, then throw it up. I won't mention any names. I will say that she is surprisingly excited for some 'reunion' thing, and won't blog with me..
Good luck girl!I told Paul (the BIG kid of the house) that I would only consent to getting a dog when we bought a house...we moved into our house last summer-he has been breathing down my neck ever since. Unfortunately with dogs you can't have the whole package. We had a mini schnouzer (sp?) growing up and it didn't shed, it didn't drool, it was very easily house trained, in fact he has "poo corner" in the yard where he does his business and no where else. He is calm and doesn't bark much. But he doesn't like little kids. He always nips at Rachel and Ben when we go to my parents house because they are his size and are infringing on his territory. Paul is dead set on a Golden Retriever -any little boys DREAM DOG. They are GREAT with kids, you can tug their ears and wrestle with them all day and they take it and love it. They are definite family dogs and you can train them easily not to bark except when something is wrong, and to be house trained. The problem...they drool like crazy and SHED EVERYWHERE!! SO really when it comes to dogs you CAN'T have your cake and eat it too---at least not that I've seen. See which qualities are the most important and what imperfections you can live with and pick from there. Pick wisely though - kids get attached FAST and trying to take back a dog that didn't fit well with your family will be heartbreaking for them AND for you!
Good Luck! - Nat
Nat
You need to get a chocolate lab like Lainey. Your kids love her and if you keep her shaved like I do they don't shed bad!
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