Advice on whether to get a puppy with fed uncertainty
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Anonymous
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(Please no judgement on using a breeder. We are looking for a puppy with certain characteristics that we could train)
My last dog died 7 years ago and we were so heartbroken that we haven’t had another since, plus we had babies so the time wasn’t right. We decided last spring that we would get a puppy. We researched breeders for a long time, found one, made sure the moms and puppies were happy, healthy, and well cared for. We even met other puppies from previous litters. This will be my 4th dog from this breed so we were very set on it. We’ve waited over a year for our turn to come up as this breeder doesn’t breed often. A puppy was just born and we were told we could get one in April but another litter wouldn’t be born until September if we delayed. The thing is, we’re both dual Feds working long hours, no chance of telework now. Our kids have been very unhappy about longer hours in daycare and aftercare and we now don’t have enough time/ attention for them. Should we get this puppy? Or wait until September when hopefully things die down in Fed world (or I lose my job and become a sahm which would be ok too). We all want it so badly and I know my kids would enjoy the puppy all summer long. We are planning to send our kids away to a semi local grandparents’ farm for the summer because we cancelled vacations and camps because of job uncertainty and the dog could go. We’ve already paid for the dog. Kids don’t know a puppy was born but they talk multiple times a day about our future puppy because they were expecting it by summer. Anyways, we have no idea what to do. Any input? |
Anonymous
| I would hold off. You already know there will be another litter I'm September and a lot can change between now and then. |
Anonymous
| Look at all the other threads about dogs. Proceed wisely. |
Anonymous
| If your kids are still in daycare and complaining about time and attention, I would recommend slowing wayyyy down. |
Anonymous
| It sounds like the whole family is a little overwhelmed right now. Having a puppy is extremely hard work and I think it’s best to wait until September. |
Anonymous
| No |
Anonymous
| You're working long hours with no telework. That right there means no puppy right now |
Anonymous
| This does not sound like a good time to add a puppy. |
Anonymous
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If the question is really now vs September, and your parents are willing to take the dog this summer and will do a good job training it, I would do that. The kids will love having a buddy this summer and it will be easier to send an older/better trained/vaccinated dog to day care in the fall. By the time the weather gets cold again you won't have to walk the dog as much.
But the question might really be dog or not. If you don't think you can handle a dog on top of two full time jobs and kids, don't get a dog while you have those things. If what your family really wants is a dog and a sahm and less day care and you can afford it, don't wait to be laid off though. That's putting your happiness in the hands of Elon. Make it happen if it's the right thing for your family not the right thing for doge. |
Anonymous
| Do not get a puppy right now. Its definitely not a good time for it. |
Anonymous
| Nope, it's cruel to leave a dog alone all day. We both have to RTO so are putting our older dog in daycare. |
Anonymous
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Thanks for the input. I do think this makes the choice a bit easier. Both sets of grandparents (who know one was born)and all our kids are begging for the puppy. But yeah, the puppy is for me and I’d be a little sad to miss so much of its first months. I have a very short commute and potentially could come home every day at lunch, but I’m over the top busy right now at work.
Money isn’t the biggest consideration. Dhs job is not at risk and even if I’m laid off, there’s significant savings in me being a sahm. We’re paying over 60k in daycare and aftercare yearly. Also puppy is paid for. |
Anonymous
| you stated you don't have enough time and attention for your kids. how is this a question? |
Anonymous
| I would wait. Getting a puppy is hard and a lot of work even without the stress of potential job loss and young kids. |