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[quote=Anonymous]I love dogs - had one growing up, and DH and I got one as soon as we were married and owned a house.  Said dog is now 13 and is having trouble with occasional incontinence, a sensitive stomach (barf), and a host of other minor health problems (arthritis, allergies, cushings disease, skin infections, ear infections...the list goes on) that mean vet visits cost no less than $400 a shot. My kids are similar in age to yours OP, and while they love the dog, they really don't help with him in a meaningful way. If he pukes or pees on the rug, guess who cleans it?  When it's early in the am or late at night, guess who takes him out? When he needs his special vet-supplied dog food (that costs $70 a bag), guess who drives to the vet and buys it? Who remembers to buy and administer his monthly flea & tick meds and his heartworm pills (also not cheap)? Hint: not the kids.

Dog has never done well at a kennel so when we go away we have to pay someone to come walk him (if it's a weekend), or stay at our house if we're gone for more than a few days.  That is expensive and there have been times when we couldn't find someone and had to drive him to my MILs house to stay.  He is part of our family and I love him dearly, but he consumes a good deal of time, money and attention, especially as he has gotten older.  I also have grown very weary of the dog hair issue.  He is not a breed known for excessive shedding yet I feel like I am in a constant battle with dog hair - again, this has become more of an issue as he has gotten older (or maybe I'm just more aware of it).  I guess I would just be sure you are ready for a long term commitment - like with children, you never know what hand you will be dealt wrt the dog's health and temperament.  Our dog has been relatively healthy until recently, but over the years has broken a leg, eaten poisonous stuff, destroyed furniture, chewed up an expensive handbag, dumped the trash out all over the floor, etc. etc.

In my mind, this is all worth it when he looks at me with those big brown eyes, greets me at the door with tail wagging, and brings a smile to my kids' faces, but you should be realistic and know that it is a huge commitment and isn't all fun and games.  Not trying to be a buzz kill, just want you to see the full picture. [/quote]

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