what things would you want your child to consider when asking for a puppy?

[Adikia]

My mothers dog is pregnant. Mum had been looking after my dog and thought they'd be ok together as the previous owners of her dog had told her she had been spayed (which was clearly a lie) my dog has now been done and mums will be once shes had the puppies. (we already have friends and relatives interested in giving the puppies good homes)

DD (4) would like to have one of the puppies when they are ready, DH and I have agreed so long as she can tell us why its a good idea and how it would work, my younger siblings have been set the same task by my parents as they want to keep one too so they are working together. What things should I be looking for her to mention?

I already know that we can afford to get all the jabs, feed it, get pet insurance etc and we have enough space, I'm a stay a home mum so have enough time to look after it and do separate walks if necessary but I've never had a young puppy before so don't know if theres anything extra to think about. I want one of the puppies anyway but wanted DD to look into everything as hopefully then she'll understand why we cant keep more than 1.

idir, I did consider that when deciding whether or not to post and what to say, I was particularly shocked that they didn't recognise the signs of the bitch being in season, but on balance, the OP and her family seem to have realised, stepped up and educated themselves, albeit a little to late to prevent an unplanned litter, and is trying very hard to be really responsible about what happens next.

I have the greatest respect for you and understand completely where you are coming from and why you get so angry. The numbers of unwanted and abandoned dogs and pups in this country is heartbreaking and something I get really angry about myself, but if we don't support those who are trying to rectify their mistakes then we aren't really helping the situation, as they won't bother asking in future and others who may come here seeking advice will be too scared to ask.

idirdog, I do see where you are coming from, but the bitch is my mum's dog and I've never spent much time with her. tbh I went with my mums had dogs since she was a child, we were moving house and needed someone to look after my dog for a couple of days, he doesn't do well in kennels and mum said she can look after him. I didn't question any of it because she's my mum and I generally trust her to know better than me.

HoneyDragon, if DD decides she doesn't want one then yes I will decline it as a dog one of the family doesn't want would be an absolute pain, I don't know about my siblings as they live with my mum, not me, so it's not my decision, we just asked them to work together as DD couldn't find all this out herself and explaining it to DD will make it stick in the other kids heads.