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

[UsedToBeAContender]

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!

Dog are a tie, you have to take them on holiday with you, beg someone to look after them while you're away or pay extortionate amounts for kennels.

Vet bills are crippling, insurance etc, never mind all the food.

Regular walks and bloody hairs everywhere, always aware of having to get back for the dog.

Oh and they fart and generally stink

Need training and socialisation, likely to chew up at least one expensive pair of shoes in their lifetime (if you are lucky it will only be one)

Puppies bite all the bloody time and their teeth are really sharp and your kids will whine and whinge about it

I COULDNT LIVE WITHOUT A DOG in fact, the longest i have been without one is two months - what a miserable bloody time that was

I don't think you will live life to the full by getting a dog ?! What an odd thing to say. Willowisp, Who said that? I cannot find it

The op ? You made me re-look !

oh!! thanks Willowisp - I'll look again too