To think I REALLY should have been told/asked

[haphazardbystarlight]

DH has bought a dog.

It's gorgeous but I know it's ALL going to land on me.

I'm not being U, am I?

[haphazardbystarlight]

Multiple - aw. Bet he's lovely :)

I'm trying really hard not to smile at this pup but it's impossible. God must have made puppies cute on purpose because I know they are REALLY annoying.

[DejaVuAllOverAgain]

You do need to insist that your 'D'H pulls his weight with it if you're keeping it. He clears up after it, he walks it. If he normally gets up at 6am to go to work then now he gets up at 5am and walks the dog first. If he gets in at 10pm then he has to be prepared to take it for a last walk as soon as he gets in. You will have to be prepared to do some of the looking after as you can't leave its mess to be cleared when 'D'H comes in but that doesn't mean you have to do it all.

[CalamityKate1]

The more I hear about the dim bulbs some people are married to the more I appreciate my DH.

[MultipleMama]

Awesome name!!! Shouldn't be outside (except garden) until after first 2 vaccines (if you didn't know already but I guess you do). Training pads are great for teaching them if you haven't thought if it. Just a tip; if you take him out every 10-15 minutes (pups have VERY small bladders) it'll help train him to go out to pee/poo and avoid constant house accidents!

[WannaBe]

what a lot of hysterical reactions on this thread.

I would kill anyone who bought me a puppy as a surprise present and I am an animal lover. However my reaction would be based on the work involved not on the frankly unlikely thought that said puppy was going to tear my children limb from limb as soon as it got the chance. Most dogs really are not child-mawling monsters regardless of what some on mn seem to think (and interestingly I have only ever encountered this view on mn).

Op I totally understand why you are annoyed at your h, I would be as wel. But you do not deserve to be criticised for deciding that you will be keeping the puppy now that he's here. Puppies are cute. they're hard work but if you put the work in it will pay off, and in a year's time you will be celebrating your dog's second christmas and be happy about the wonderful addition he has been to your family.

[haphazardbystarlight]

Ah Deja - this is the thing.

I've posted before about DH and the simple truth is, he WON'T do some stuff. Just won't. Since he's nearly a foot taller than me, I can't make him physically (not that I'd want to) and so effectively either I walk the dog or dog doesn't get walked.

Unless DH feels like it but it'll come under the ever-growing list of Stuff You Should Do Because You Are At Home.

When it's crunch time - hopefully in the spring - either DH will take the dog OR the dog will stay here. I suspect DH will take the dog because he will want it to be a lure for DS.

[DejaVuAllOverAgain]

Calamity it's threads like these that make me glad I'm single.

OP it's obvious from some of your posts that there is more to this than the puppy. I haven't seen any posts, if you have posted about it, so don't know any details but I wish you well and hope you get the support you need to do what ever it is you ultimately decide.

[haphazardbystarlight]

In fairness the puppy is probably in more danger from the baby than vice versa. She's at the age where all animals are like cuddly toys (have had a near chicken-calamity of all things)

It's a spaniel x pointer by the way :)

I really could KILL DH. On top of the work, the poo, the pee, the walks, I've now gone and fallen in love with the bloody creature!

Thanks for puppy-tips. I'm so grateful we've got wooden floor throughout this house.

Bah humbug.

[MultipleMama]

OP - Very adorable. The charm of puppies!

BiL's dog looks more beagle but he's more spaniel in breed.

[haphazardbystarlight]

Don't worry Deja - I'll sort it. I'm a bit better placed to deal with DH of late as I have A Plan (I feel most stealthy.)

But the pup has put an added complication on matters. Nothing that can't be sorted mind.

[Thumbnutstwitchingonanopenfire]

Does your H have any inkling that he's on a sticky wicket here? Perhaps he bought the dog to push you over the edge...

[haphazardbystarlight]

Multiple - awww! Cuteness!

[DejaVuAllOverAgain]

When mine was a puppy...and then now...

[haphazardbystarlight]

Thumb I could be wrong but I don't think he has a clue.

He is genuinely so arrogant he doesn't think I'd have the sense to leave. Unfortunately, until recently there was probably some truth in that.

[Notmeagain1]

If you have fallen for the puppy, keep him and love him, but start training him now. Get DS involved. Name him and have "D"H buy a crate so the furniture is not snacked on while you are out one day. Puppies love to chew. He will be a great companion to your dcs, especially if you do leave H in the new year.

I am crushed I didnt get a kitten for Christmas on the other hand. I will be at the shelter Saturday morning getting me one. My kitty died in July and had to have one dog pts in Nov. My dh knew the only thing I wanted was a new kitty, but he did give me an IOU for one. He just wanted me to pick,it out.

Sorry I whined on your thread. Good luck with the puppy and Merry Christmas to you and your dcs.

[MultipleMama]

She's a pain the teeth but completely loveable when playing and sleeping and my DC find any excuse to want to visit BIL and play with her Our puppy is an 11 year old German Shepherd who acts his paw size!

A dog is like your child. You forget what life was like without one after a few days/months/years

[OhMrGove]

Aw OP I entirely understand where you are coming from. You are absolutely not to blame and I think that, given you will ensure the pup is walked and looked after, you are making a brave and commendable decision here.

I, too, would kill your DH. My own DP will be buying me a 'surprise' puppy in the next few years because I have always wanted a surprise puppy (blame Lady and the Tramp). The difference is, we now have the space and time for it to be sensible and we were both brought up with dogs so understand the commitment. The frivolity of the surprise is largely irrelevant.

[MultipleMama]

Deja - Aww! Adorable. I love dogs! My dog would glare at me if I put a hat on him

Can't find a puppy picture, but here's the overgrown puppy! My baby -a retired attack dog--

[haphazardbystarlight]

Loving these dogs

[DejaVuAllOverAgain]

Aww...he's lovely

Trust me a hat is the least of Deja dog's problems when it comes to having her photo taken. I did 100 days of Deja dog on fb and she showed she has the patience of a saint

Sorry, haphazard I'm hijacking. Good luck with your decisions/life and the puppy, I'm sure he'll (the puppy) will be worth it in the end.

[alteredimages]

Just coming back to wish you lots of luck OP and Yogi. You sound like you have thought about it a lot and made the best decision for you. Please don't let DH take the dog if he isn't going to care for him though, and have a good plan for taking care of him after any split.

I agree about the babies being the trouble. PIL's cat died yesterday and I am feeling really guilty about all the stress 11 mo DS caused him by ambushing him all the time in his final months.

[ChippingInLovesChristmasLights]

Honest to god, how do you have the patience to wait until spring?

He's a fucking nightmare, the sooner you get rid the better.

Hiwever, in the meantime you need to ascertain whose dog it is, yours, DS's or DH's and reinforce that to both DH and DS, so that it's clear when the time comes.

[haphazardbystarlight]

It's financial reasons primarily Chipping

To be honest though now I know he's going, he can't hurt me. I'm just upset with myself really.

[Pandora452]

Find yourself a good dog trainer/puppy club ASAP. A Spaniel x Pointer is NOT for the faint hearted!!

[haphazardbystarlight]

Pandora - cripes!

why are they so cute