Anonymous wrote:This is exactly why I stood firm and did not get a pet during the pandemic. My 12 and 15 yr olds said that they would take care of it. Yea.. no. Plus the 15 yr old will be leaving for college soon.

Funny... this is one of the reasons WHY we're getting a puppy. Kids are 13 and 16 and I want to give the 16 YO every reason to come home to visit!

Anonymous wrote:“Mom, we will help with the puppy! We will walk him.” I thought this was the lie of younger children, not kids who are in middle school. Totally fell for it. The Covid pandemic made me lose my ability to see BS.

hahahahah! Me too. Make them, though. You have to. I always have to yell at them to do it, and they argue about whose turn it is, etc. In fact, when my dog hears raised voices, she goes over to her leash since she knows it means she's getting a walk. Pathetic!

Glad you like the dog OP!

Anonymous wrote:Rehome the kids!

👍👍

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is exactly why I stood firm and did not get a pet during the pandemic. My 12 and 15 yr olds said that they would take care of it. Yea.. no. Plus the 15 yr old will be leaving for college soon.

I tricked my 12-year-old by suggesting we babysit a friend's fish (they were going out of the country for an extended period of time). That pretty much did it; two weeks in, DC was so done with 'the stupid fish' and I ended up feeding it until the friends returned. Obviously, a dog was out of the question.

Sorry, OP. I hear you!

But a fish is not the same. I would give up on a fish too, but I am taking care of or dog rather well. A dog gives back, but a fish?

A dog is also much harder and time consuming to take care of. I've had both.

🤣😂😅😅 ha ha how could you be so naive?!!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m not sure that “we will help with the puppy” qualifies as the world’s oldest lie.

Yeah, I'd go with "the baby is yours!" as the world's oldest lie.

I think the world's oldest lie is "The marriage is already over."

Nope. "But I love you. Isn't that good enough?"

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is exactly why I stood firm and did not get a pet during the pandemic. My 12 and 15 yr olds said that they would take care of it. Yea.. no. Plus the 15 yr old will be leaving for college soon.

I tricked my 12-year-old by suggesting we babysit a friend's fish (they were going out of the country for an extended period of time). That pretty much did it; two weeks in, DC was so done with 'the stupid fish' and I ended up feeding it until the friends returned. Obviously, a dog was out of the question.

Sorry, OP. I hear you!

But a fish is not the same. I would give up on a fish too, but I am taking care of or dog rather well. A dog gives back, but a fish?

Rehome the kids!

My DS walks the dog, plays with dog, picks up poop when reminded, every day. I do everything else, mostly feeding and cleaning. DS also worked on house training and obedience training, I just helped a bit at night. So, to some extent, it’s not a lie in our house, because my DS really appreciates having a dog, and I don’t have unrealistic expectations both on my DS and on the dog, and I willing to accept a messier than before house and yard. Just FYI.

Anonymous wrote:“Mom, we will help with the puppy! We will walk him.” I thought this was the lie of younger children, not kids who are in middle school. Totally fell for it. The Covid pandemic made me lose my ability to see BS.

The really did mean it at the time, they just failed to follow through. But if they are in middle school, make them do it at least the first in the morning walk. Add it too their routine. Put your foot down!

Anonymous wrote:This is exactly why I stood firm and did not get a pet during the pandemic. My 12 and 15 yr olds said that they would take care of it. Yea.. no. Plus the 15 yr old will be leaving for college soon.

I tricked my 12-year-old by suggesting we babysit a friend's fish (they were going out of the country for an extended period of time). That pretty much did it; two weeks in, DC was so done with 'the stupid fish' and I ended up feeding it until the friends returned. Obviously, a dog was out of the question.

Sorry, OP. I hear you!

Everyone whose kids want a dog should read this. I’ve never heard of a kid who truly takes care of a dog. Kids that love the dog and walk it once or twice a day and play with it every day? Yes absolutely. I have two kids that do this. But the drudgery of dog care, when you’re not feeling well, when you’re tired, when you have to wake up early every single day and go on a walk, when you’re arranging care while you’re gone or worried that it’s sick, or training consistently for months in end, or blah blah blah. Kids are not responsible for all that and really can’t be expected to be. It will absolutely be on a parent. If you’re not willing to accept that, do not give in.

Anonymous wrote:“Mom, we will help with the puppy! We will walk him.” I thought this was the lie of younger children, not kids who are in middle school. Totally fell for it. The Covid pandemic made me lose my ability to see BS.

Yup, but the thing about puppies is that they grow from adorable but challenging into lovely adult dogs if they are well-trained and well-loved. Our dog is five now and everyone in our house adores her. It will be worth it.

OP here. Now that I have been walking the puppy 4 times a day for 8 months, I have completely bonded with him so I am keeping him and love him… so not rehoming him. But I still laugh and constantly bring it up with the kids.