To get a dog or not!!!

[VanessaJaneHolburn]

I've had so many mummies locally get a dog and I'm really tempted. I've blogged about my current humming and harring - and would love to know what people who have recently takent the plunge think! Have you regreted letting a four legged friend into the family? Should I go ahead...

vanessajaneholburn.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/muuuuum-can-we-have-puppy-please.html

Hi if you have the time to be at home with them then a four legged friend will change your life for the better. I got my lily a year ago I love her so much i cant tell you . What other animal or person will greet you each day with love and affection and without compliant . Will let you talk and moan about everything and listen . Will know if your mood is up or down without you having to tell them . They are a gift of fun and will love you back all of their days .A dog is for LIFE alway please remember and enjoy your new family member.

Hi if you have the time to be at home with them then a four legged friend will change your life for the better. I got my lily a year ago I love her so much i cant tell you . What other animal or person will greet you each day with love and affection and without compliant . Will let you talk and moan about everything and listen . Will know if your mood is up or down without you having to tell them . They are a gift of fun and will love you back all of their days .A dog is for LIFE alway please remember and enjoy your new family member.

The good is in pinkpaws post the bad, well if you don't mind chewed things (table legs!) etc, doing poo patrol in the garden before letting the kids out to play, going out twice a day regardless of weather conditions and maybe having to take the children with you, wet dog smell, and extortionate vet bills then go for it. I love my 2 cockers, my house would be cleaner and less chaotic but not as fun!:)

I think it depends how old your DC are - as it is not fair on Dog not to be walked every day. I have a low energy breed and it is still an hour a day....fine when the weather is lovely - but when its sleeting., although I don't mind it, I wouldn't be wanting to drag young children out....now DD (my youngest) is in nursery, it has been the perfect time - do little walks with her in the afternoon, but the big walk can be done child free.

Hi Vanessa, think you'be got a good mix of views above! Having a dog is a massive committment and you can't underestimate it, especially if you get s puppy.

Wouldn't be without our 8 month old puppy now but the first few months were emotionally draining, messy, we missed sleep. For the first month we had him my husband would come home every day and I'd ask him if he thought we should take him back because I wasn't sure I could cope with the mess and the neediness.

You also need to think about walking the dog twice a day, vet bills, doggy daycare or boarding if you go away...it's wonderful to have a devoted and unconditional friend but don't expect them to slot seamlessly into family life straight away!

Piz

Your post reads very much as though you are thinking in a very binary way - GET DOG or DO NOT GET DOG. Actually, it's much more interesting than that. If you really love dogs (you in your heart, not just because you were brought up with them and they are familiar) you will find yourself with dogs in your life. And this can be through many, many ways.

Some examples. Walking a dog for the Cinnamon Trust (also a superb way to help an elderly or sick person). Fostering (this could work brilliantly for you). Volunteering in myriad ways for dog rescues - walking kennel dogs, helping to transport, doing a homecheck. Taking a rescue dog to training classes to help improve its chances of adoption. Organising a fun charity dog show. Dogsitting for all these other "mummies" when they are away for the weekend. If you find yourself talking to someone in the park and afterwards you can remember every detail of their dog, but were hazy about the walker's description - then you are genuinely a dog nut and you will find a way for dogs to be in your life, in all sorts of ways.

If you're not a dog nut, there's nothing wrong with that, but I'd enjoy my lovely clean home, my freedom to dash off for the weekend and all the other benefits of a dog free life with a clear conscience. In one sense, posting in this forum means you will get lots of dog owners all telling you how much their life is improved by owning dogs (mine is, hugely) but we are not you, and only you can really weigh up the relative value of all that's involved. You would probably have a more interesting response if you posted in the "I hate dogs" bit of MN, if there was one. Because of your upbringing you have a very good idea of what's involved with dogs and to be honest, wanting something just because other SAHMs have it doesn't really sound convincing.

Hello there

Thanks to those who reported this thread because they weren't sure whether it breaks the new rules about blog linking on Talk.

We're happy to confirm that the OP is indeed a Mumsnet Blogger.

In general, we think it's not quite on to start threads with a link to your own blog - it can look a bit self-promotion-y to other posters - but as this one has kicked off a discussion, and we're trying to have a bit of give and take while everyone gets used to the new rules, we will leave this one for now.

Thanks
MNHQ

I am absolutely a dog person, but I'm going to urge caution here. We had to make the agonising decision to rehome our dog a year ago. He was a rescue and extremely high maintenance and, pre-children, I ran my life around him. However with two children, I could no longer give him the time and attention he needed and deserved, and my stress levels were through the roof, not to mention the guilt. A year later Imiss him terribly, but life is definitely less stressful and also the dog is happier elsewhere.

We will get another dog at some point, but not untillife calms down significantly. I would say that time really is the crucial factor. And also thinking carefully about the right breed/individual dog for you.

Hi. Thanks for all the comments. I do really understand the committment necessary, which is exactly why I'm hesitant and I feel your pain daimbardiva. The walking and time is not a problem for me, but the concept of mixing dogs with family hols and other times when routine changes is something I'm thinking through. Lovely alternative ideas scuttlebutter (I sometimes 'borrow' one of my mum's for a week!). I guess I'm still at the thinking stage - and am sorry if some people felt I was self promoting.

We have been deliberating for years this exact dilemma.

I am so sensible, that I always was waiting for the right time, etc - could we afford one, will it fit with our lifestyle and so on.

While all around me, friends and family, just go ahead and get a dog when they feel like it (that's what it seems like from the outside).