I don't want a dog!

[SauvignonBlanche]

DD (who is very persuasive) and DH are keen to get a dog, I'm not. They're looking at rescue centres.
DH is an experieced dog owner and works predominantly from home, which of course is ideal. DD is renowned for being enthusiastic about pets then loosing interest.

One of my main concerns is that I leave the house much earlier than everyone else at 06:30, no one else is up. I don't want to have to get involved with anything that wants feeding, walking or attention at that hour.

Am I worrying unnecessarily?

All children want dogs. It's their default position.
Ignore. Unless both adults in the house are on board with the idea, forget it.

I was the reluctant one with ours. Now he's here, I wouldn't swap him, but I do have to remind everyone that I'm the back-up - I only walk him when no one else is available to do so, or if it's a fair-weather Sunday afternoon yomp in the woods type of thing. I do, however, do all of the logistical things for him, food, water, worming/flea tablets, any vet visits, organise grooming, doggy daycare when required and so on.

Was expecting the kids (teens) to have eased off by now, but they're still very involved, 15 months on.

heres the thing sauvignon the rescue centres are designed to make you feel sorry for the animals, that is human nature. There would be something wrong with 'us' if we went and didnt feel anything.

But that is no reason to rehome a dog.

Ah yes, the bloody flea epidemic. It has been rife this year apparently. We had it here, came with a foster dog and took me ages to get rid of the feckin' things.

Please make sure everyone uses frontline combo* for their dog/cat. Frontline on its own isnt as effective according to my vet friends.

• Other branded flea cures are available.

I fecking hate fleas!!
I wonder if I should advertise for a particularly demanding dog to dogsit for, that might change their minds.

If you are not sure about having a dog then maybe a dogsit/foster situation might help you and your family to decide if that is actually what you want. It is the best of both worlds - you get a dog and a charity gets some help.

Hearing Dogs and Guide Dogs and dogs for the disabled need puppy walkers/socialisers. Maybe contact those in your area to start with.

If you do get a dog think hard about the breed you get. A little dog will eat less/ need less exercise and the poos are much smaller to pick up. We have Jack Russells and we are able to pick them up at the door when they are muddy and wash them off in the kitchen sink, so no mud around the house. We also have a dog flap only a tiny bit bigger than a cat flap which makes like a lot easier as they go out in the garden themselves when they need a wee.

In the morning my DP gets up at 5.30 and let's them out for a wee ( dog flap locked at night as one of them has a tendency to bark at noises in the garden during the night). Then they hurtle up the stairs and jump into bed with me till the DSs get up. They don't need feeding or walking till much later.

Have definitely decided that I'd want a small dog, didn't see any at the resue place though.
However, neither DD or DH have mentioned it for 2 days now!

I think the mornigns would probably be ok. My husband has occasionally had to leave v early for work and the dog hasn't woken up until the rest of us have. But the rest of it is very tying. Tbhis summer holiday we've really felt it. The kids who were desperate for a dog don't like having to go out in all weathers for walks, and going off for days out to theme parks etc hasn't been possible - all visits have had to be for 4 hours max!
The hairs and dust is horrific too. But he is lovely and sitting cuddled up with him at night is the best.

Update
Having a home visit tomorrow to assess our suitability to foster a 9 year old lab!
He's up for fostering rather than adoption due to medical needs, he has seizures which lead to him to being returned.

. How you feeling. For someone one who doesn't want a dog you're turning into an amazing potentional owner. Good for you!

sauvignon - a small dog? A lab??!!Not exactly small . good luck!

It's a smallish Lab - honest!
It's house-trained and calm but was found as a stray. Was re-homed but returned due to the seizures, which won't faze me (a nurse) at all.
He's lovely, I do hope we can be the right home for him.

By smallish Lab, do you mean a sort Labrador sized Labrador? And size became irelvant because he made your heart do a teeny tiny squee?

I've seen bigger ones, honest!
What heart?

Damm, MNhoneydragon you've caught me out!

Sap.

Please don't tell DH, he thinks I'm still ambivalent.

Ok but don't tell my dh I really love the Labrador puppy he convinced me we needed.

Deal!

Love the way this thread has turned out!

He'll be here in the next couple of days!

He picked you!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations on the arrival of you PFD

PFD - love it!
Thanks

i can't wait to see how you feel when he arrives. WE had a disaapointment recently but I feel your excitement so that makes me feel better! Oh how things have turned aroudn for you. I bet you are the soppiest with the dog!

Just posted on your thread WTF.