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The doghouse

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Original poster

Sick of people telling me "I must be mad....

29 replies

UsedToBeAContender · 24/04/2012 11:35

to get a dog".

Just because I have 3 DC everyone I have mentioned it to looks at me like I'm insane or makes some comment along those lines. Two of the DCs are at school all day and my youngest is at nursery 3 days a week.

I have researched this thoroughly, spoken for hours to breeders about the correct way to go about the process of finding the right dog for us, I have owned dogs in the past so i know what's involved and I'm prepared to put the time and work in. I know what lies ahead, good and bad.

I just think it will ALSO be a wonderful, positive bonding experience for us as a family. Taking trips at the weekends when we would otherwise have sat around vegetating in the house, walking the dog (rain or shine) and just getting some exercise and fresh air, teaching the kids some responsibility and ownership although I know I'll probably end up doing most of it! Socialising with other dog owners and generally living life a bit more to the full.

My DH is totally on board and looking forward to it. Our older DCs are really excited about it, I'm SICK of people bringing me down about it!!

Sorry, not sure what the point of that rant was, just needed to vent!

OP posts:

TeaTeaLotsOfTea · 24/04/2012 11:52

haha my neighbour's mum has said that to me in a way. I have one DS and I'm about to get my 3rd dog.

She said I must be mad!!

I asked why? I work from home I have the space and time I'm not over run with children. My 2 dogs are well behaved well trained one is 2 and the other is nearly 6. I want another dog. Why would people not bat an eye at me having another child but seem to raise there eyebrows at me if I get another dog??

Lizcat · 24/04/2012 11:56

Gosh not mad at all. Good luck on your wonderful journey you are about to start.

Kladdkaka · 24/04/2012 12:01

Not mad at all. I think people who don't have a dog must be mad. How can they possibly not want a best friend who loves them more than anything else in the whole wide world? (Apart from cheese, obviously.)

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 24/04/2012 12:03

I think it will be a very good experience for your dc, and it sounds as if you have thought about all the work involved and are ready for it.

Are you wanting to get a puppy or would you consider giving a shelter dog a 'forever' home?

shoutymcshoutsmum · 24/04/2012 13:53

Not mad but ......... I have 3 dc, the eldest of whom is 6 and a puppy who is now nearly six months old. I wouldn't disagree with all of the benefits you listed but are there some tricky situations I have encountered and not yet resolved. One is teaching him to walk to heel. This needs to be done without the kids and I am never without kids! I really want him to come to school with us but he is too young and enthusiastic to tie up outside the school....

I am not suggesting you don't do it but I do think the people who told me I was mad may be right! Good luck.

BeckyBrandonNeeBloomwood · 24/04/2012 14:11

That's ridiculous! getting a dog was one of my best childhood memories ever! You sound like you know what you are doing so tell everyone to sod off!

musicposy · 24/04/2012 14:32

Hard work, maybe, but totally worth it. When we got our second dog the reactions we got beforehand were almost totally negative. I wouldn't be without her for the world - it was a brilliant decision!

wildfig · 24/04/2012 15:02

If I'd had a fiver for everyone who said to me, 'Ooh, dogs are a tie, you know', I'd have nearly had enough for a year's insurance. Funnily enough, many of those people then followed up with, 'So when are you going to get round to having kids?'

Yes, you'll have to rearrange your daily routine a bit to fit in walks and so on, but the companionship and fun is worth so much more. Hope you find a lovely childhood friend for your DC and nightly footwarmer for you.

AllergicToNutters · 24/04/2012 15:04

i get that all the time and have researched and read and asked advice from anyone who will listen. I get "but they are such a dreadful tie." Most of these comments from people who don't own dogs funnily enough! It has made my decision much more difficult because I am taking everyone elses doubts and insecurities on board! I agree, very frustrating

noinspiration · 24/04/2012 15:51

Well they are a tie, but lots of people (me included) think that the upsides outweigh the down. Good luck!

Original poster

UsedToBeAContender · 24/04/2012 16:56

Thanks for the support. I do appreciate that every day isn't going to be a picnic but have been feeling really deflated at everyone's attitude!

My eldest DD has promised she will "pick up the poos mummy". I'll believe that when I see it!
Thanks for this, I'm starting to feel excited again now!

OP posts:

pimmsgalore · 24/04/2012 18:57

yes you must be mad but then so must I we have 4DC and have just got a dog 3 weeks ago. He is a rescue dog so has come to us grown and untrained but he loveable (even when he knocks the bin over and eats it), has a cute face and is great at getting my mental over energised children to run off all their energy

My eldest said she would pick up the poop well she did for 1 day then passed the job on to DS1, who promptly told DS2 it was his job and now it is unfortunately DD2 (only 5) job to do, but she does do it

Must say 3 weeks in even though it is chaos it is great chaos I think with any more than 2DCs you are used to the madness anyhow, always said extra children don't make a difference in our house so nor does a dog

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 24/04/2012 19:32

Anyway - sanity is overrated.

morethanyoubargainfor · 24/04/2012 19:47

Oh that old line! I have one ds 9 who has SEN and we have just got our third dog!! Everyone like to tell me I am mad, not my dh, because obviously I am the driving force and my dh has no voice . They were a joint decision. We also have a range of other creatures!

We get a range of comments when out walking because we have a large black dog, one who wears a muzzle and now a shouty chihuahua!

We are clearly bonkers .

maybeyoushoulddrive · 24/04/2012 19:56

Utterly bonkers but in a good way!

We wouldn't be without our big hairy mutt. He arrived by accident, but has enriched our lives in many many ways. Dd(8) adores him, they are best friends and she tells him stuff before we get to hear things!

I think some people are killjoys who take life too seriously IMHO

TwoIfBySea · 24/04/2012 20:00

On a recent day out I got a brilliant picture of dts2, sitting by the shore, with our dog beside him. It's how it should be!

I'd love to get another dog, finances prevent it but ours would be deliriously happy with a chum even though he is a mummy's boy.

beachyhead · 24/04/2012 20:03

3 dc and 2 dogs and 1 dh...and a partridge in a pear tree here

theboutiquemummy · 25/04/2012 12:00

pay them no mind, you go for it and enjoy it, I was told before i got my boy lab that the dog would tie me down and i must be crazy, well "they" couldnt be more wrong hes lovely wouldnt change him for the world x

AllergicToNutters · 25/04/2012 13:33

theboutiquemummy how do you find juggling your necessary trips out, shops, hairdressers, play dates for chidlren where dog is not welcome etc./ they are my concerns.

mistlethrush · 25/04/2012 13:41

Allergic - dog stays at home for shopping, but I can't take DH and DS to do anything other than food shopping, so that's not exactly a problem.

We can be out for 3.5 / 4 hrs and the dog sleeps happily. Now, we don't have to walk her first necessarily - but we always used to walk her first thing - perhaps only 30 / 40 mins and then again later - longer, with frisbee when she was younger. When I was looking after ds, prior to school, I could get the dog walked and DS to a class by 9.30am, do other things in the morning, back for lunch - nap for ds in buggy whilst another walk, then off to do something else with ds.

Usedtobe a dog is a really good excuse to get out and about - now she's an excuse because DS needs the exercise more than she does - in fact, he often reminds me of a labrador puppy when out and about . And I'm certain which is the better trained.

Ephiny · 25/04/2012 13:52

Well it's true that dogs do restrict you, take up a fair amount of time, cost money etc. But less so than children, as far as I can tell! And it is very very much worth it IMO. My boys have made me a better and happier person, and brought so much love and joy into my life. They've also brought me and DP closer together and made us feel like a proper family. They get me up in the morning and out for fresh air and exercise and social contact every day whether I like it or not!

Also it's not just about what they bring to me, but the fact that they needed homes, there are so many dogs in need that it would almost feel wrong not to make room in our home and our lives for them, knowing that we could. The inconvenience to us is pretty small compared to what the consequences might have been for them.

Also, I just can't imagine being without my BFFs (big furry friends) :)

Willowisp · 25/04/2012 16:18

I don't think you will live life to the full by getting a dog ?! What an odd thing to say.

Also I dont think having a dog makes for a more bonding experience, but it can definitely enhance it.

I love watching my dd's run round the garden with our dog, I love taking her on walks & seeing the pleasure she gets from it.

It's also a pain not being able to go on impromptu day trips or long lunches without having to organise dog care - so we haven't been out yet !

TwoIfBySea · 25/04/2012 16:28

You walk more and find interesting places to go with a dog rather than driving everywhere and never seeing your local area properly. I have a fuller life because our boy is in it.

theboutiquemummy · 25/04/2012 18:47

When I'm just running local errands i pop his seat belt on and take him with me then reward him with a good walk on the way home, he comes on some long trips with me if i don't have to leave him in the car.

Otherwise when he's not welcome I leave him at home and shut the door so he can't get upstairs with plenty of water do an early walk so he wont poop.

A friend of mine said just do one good walk a day then you wont over commit yourself to a routine and dogs remember when they are due for a walk.

Willowisp · 25/04/2012 19:35

I don't think 1 more a day is fair at all, even we manage 2 walks a day. The 2nd is just a walk to school, but at least we are out.

Ref the kids wanting to walk over the weekends, don't kid yourself, I frequently have to drag my 2 out. Of course when they are out it's fine....it's just getting them out...!

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