Remind me that having a pet is a hassle!!!!!
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Anonymous
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DH and I agreed we would wait a few more years for a dog but more and more I want one now. I am constantly perusing rescue and breeder websites and want to bring one home this spring. We had two dogs but both died when DC was really young so we never had to juggle dogs with school or kid activities.
I keep trying to tell myself that it wouldn't be fair to the dog if we were gone all day, but plenty of people who WOH have dogs and they survive. Our old dogs did! Also, even though we have a child for the most part we are all homebodies right now, it's not like we pick DC up at school and race to three different activities and then out to dinner. Tell me why I wouldn't want a dog right now. Convince me to wait! DC is five and would love one, too. DH could be convinced if I wanted one now, because truth be told, we both know that most of its care would fall on me based on the hours he works so if I'm willing then he's fine with it. |
Anonymous
| We have one and it is like having a toddler. Plus, they are expensive. We budget about 3k-4k a year for vet visits, grooming, food and boarding when we are away. If you get a puppy you will also need a dog walker (about 17 a day). |
Anonymous
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It certainly will put a damper on vacation plans and cost a bit if you use the kennel. Regardless of rain, shine or snow OR if you are sick - you need to take your dog for a walk.
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Anonymous
True that. I just came from walking my dog. It's bitterly cold out there. I have two and it is like having a household filled with toddlers. As a matter of fact, one of my dogs is currently barking at the other dog because her toy was stolen and she wants it back. They're awesome but A LOT of work. |
Anonymous
| We adopted an adult dog and it's been so easy. She sleeps most of the day, needs a walk and some playtime, and that's it. Boarding during the holidays was about $100 each time, not too bad. |
Anonymous
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You asked for it: this morning at 4am, one of my dogs jumped into our bed and threw up all over the place. We had to strip the bed, throw everything into the wash and remake the bed. The dog then had to go outside -- twice -- to do her business. The second time she came back in, she shook her coat and runny poop flew off her ass onto the wall.
Three weeks ago, the other dog had diarrhea all over the wool rug in DS' bedroom. Two months ago: one of the dogs somehow scratched his eye and after 4 visits to 2 different vets, it was determined that he needed 4 eye drops daily. He also had to wear a plastic cone around his neck for two weeks while his eye healed. As you can imagine, he spent his days and nights trying to get the cone off his neck. Had you asked this question at a different time, I likely would've said that having dogs is a lot of fun and worth the hassle. I obviously love my dogs but hassle free they are not!! |
Anonymous
| Find someone you can dogsit for for at least a week before you decide. |
Anonymous
They are work, but IMO - it is worth it! Especially with kids around. So, if you are looking for discouragement, you won’t get it from me. Our household has ALWAYS had a dog. Two of them were huskies - the hair was awful, one was an escape artist and would roam the neighborhood and even went into the local grocery story. But, I would do it all over again. There is NOTHING like the loyalty of a dog. They make coming home oh, so happy. I LOVE dogs, despite the responsibility, the expense, added work, and sometimes destructive behavior. They make our house more of a home. 
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Anonymous
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We have a two year old and while I love my dog, I wish we didn't have him. Too much.
He gets diarrhea every now and then (YUK!), needs attention which requires energy I don't have at the end of a long workday + toddler care and it's just one more chore every day. Plus, I have some relatives who are allergic to dogs who now don't visit as much, which makes me sad. |
Anonymous
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Don't do it. It's too much. Enjoy your free time. Enjoy your dog-hair-free home. Enjoy not picking up poop or vomit.
Either that, or come take one of mine. |
Anonymous
I agreed to get dogs only when I decided I was willing to take responsibility for them. I walk those dogs and will continue to walk them -- every morning of my life. Dh and dd supposedly are responsible for the afternoons on the days we don't have a dog walker. Yeah, right. I figure it won't kill the dogs not to get an afternoon walk but I will not let them go without their morning walk. |
Anonymous
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The second time she came back in, she shook her coat and runny poop flew off her ass onto the wall
there ya go 
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Anonymous
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OMG, thank you pps. I don't think I could ever do this. I grew up with dogs, but in the country where poop never had to be picked up, and if they were sick, they puked and crapped outside, not inside on the rug.
Also, every single family we know with a dog has ceded their backyard to the dog essentially. Even if they attempt to pick up the piles, there is still residue or piles they missed. We love running around on the lush green grass in our backyard, and playing hours of barefoot badminton and volleyball back there. The cool grass feels good on the feet. Never have to worry about stepping in dogshit. I miss having a dog to cuddle but I can't deal with the poop. Every time my son visits a certain friend, the mom sends them out to play in the backyard and he comes home with poopy shoes. UGH |
Anonymous
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As you can imagine, he spent his days and nights trying to get the cone off his neck.
~wipes tears of laughter from eyes~ |
Anonymous
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I wouldn't use the word "hassle" OP, I tend to use the word "responsibility" instead...Though I do have my moments when I am a hyprcrite!!
Pets are like our kids, they give us that sweet unconditional love we crave, they depend on us for all of their needs, yet at the same time they can drive us crazy at the drop of a hat and sometimes there is no outlet at all for our stress!!!! But we can never give them up...They become part of our family overnight!!! I say take the plunge, esp. if your child wants one. Growing up with a pet can be a huge benefit to your child as it can teach her responsibility as well as give her many solid childhood memories to look back on as I have now with my beloved dog who I had practically my whole childhood. And I hate to get all political here, but please consider adopting from a shelter vs. purchasing from a breeder. There are many lovable dogs in shelters just waiting for a loving and forever home and would love to become a member of your family. They are not damaged goods and do not deserve to be put down just because there are not enough people available to adopt them. 
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