Ideas please, I might be giving in!

[weegiemum]

Dd2 (12) wants a dog. She's wanted a dog since she could talk! All she's ever wanted is a doggy friend.

We have a huge Guinea pig hutch with 5 Guineas (3 years and older) and an 18 month old cat.

I'm starting to think I could give in on the dog front (don't tell dd!!). I can't walk a dog as I'm disabled but dd2 gets up every morning at 6am even though she's 12 and says she'd walk a dog then (leaves for school at 7:45). Kids are in from school around 4pm most evenings. We have a large secure back garden.

I'm in the house all day 3 days a week and only out for 3 hours on the other days.

My disability means I couldn't manage a puppy, it would have to be an older house trained dog.

Am I crazy to even be considering this? Dd2 (other dc are 14 and 16) cries about 3-4 times a week because we won't let her get a dog!

I'd also say not a good idea to let a child walk the dog, my two have had several off lead dogs go for them whilst I've been walking them on lead, down a street, had an aggressive collie follow me home one time trying to attack mine for 20 minutes, I was in tears and screaming at it to go away (had forgotten my phone that day, doh!) no owner in sight, and what happens if dog slipped lead and ran out on road etc, sorry, but just don't think children are responsible enough. Getting a dog walker in, or other family members to help, then an adult, low energy breed could definitely work, such as a rescue greyhound (though care would be needed with other pets)