Comments on: The Family Pet: To Have or Have Not? http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/ Denver parenting, with altitude Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:16:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Bebe http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/#comment-4169 Bebe Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:07:45 +0000 http://www.milehighmamas.com/?p=1063#comment-4169 Hey Amber, just found your blog! I posted about this subject very recently. We finally got everyone in our house potty trained (including the triplets) and decided to take on a cat. Only a 3 months later, we are the proud owner of three kittens--three, not one, three.... Be careful! Apparently it's not just bunnies that multiply exponentially!!! http://thosecrazybeans.blogspot.com Hey Amber, just found your blog! I posted about this subject very recently. We finally got everyone in our house potty trained (including the triplets) and decided to take on a cat. Only a 3 months later, we are the proud owner of three kittens–three, not one, three…. Be careful! Apparently it’s not just bunnies that multiply exponentially!!!

http://thosecrazybeans.blogspot.com

]]> By: MommyTime http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/#comment-4168 MommyTime Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:00:51 +0000 http://www.milehighmamas.com/?p=1063#comment-4168 Our dog was our first baby. We coddled and trained, house-broke and ran with, scooped up after and canceled our honeymoon to look for (she ran away during the ceremony; she came back a whole week later). The up side is that she is part of the family, and that the dog toddler years were over before the actual children came along. Would I get another dog right now if we lost her? No. I don't have the stamina for puppy training and the readjustment. But I would do it when the children were a bit older. (although emotionally, I may never be able to have another dog, but if we'd never had one, I would get one when the kids were about 6 and 4 years old.) Our dog was our first baby. We coddled and trained, house-broke and ran with, scooped up after and canceled our honeymoon to look for (she ran away during the ceremony; she came back a whole week later). The up side is that she is part of the family, and that the dog toddler years were over before the actual children came along. Would I get another dog right now if we lost her? No. I don’t have the stamina for puppy training and the readjustment. But I would do it when the children were a bit older. (although emotionally, I may never be able to have another dog, but if we’d never had one, I would get one when the kids were about 6 and 4 years old.)

]]> By: diana/sunshine http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/#comment-4167 diana/sunshine Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:53:28 +0000 http://www.milehighmamas.com/?p=1063#comment-4167 we're a golden retriever family. my husband and i had one before kids were born. he died when our kids were 3 and 1. we didn't wait too long before getting another but i'll be honest in saying i wasn't too involved with the dog seeing that my mother duties were in full swing. she passed aways a couple of years ago and we promptly went out and got another. i realize i enjoy this dog so much more than the last and that is because i have the time to interact and be a dog owner - not just sharing space with one. good luck. www.sunshine-on-my-shoulders.blogspot.com we’re a golden retriever family.
my husband and i had one before kids were born. he died when our kids were 3 and 1. we didn’t wait too long before getting another but i’ll be honest in saying i wasn’t too involved with the dog seeing that my mother duties were in full swing. she passed aways a couple of years ago and we promptly went out and got another. i realize i enjoy this dog so much more than the last and that is because i have the time to interact and be a dog owner – not just sharing space with one.

good luck.
http://www.sunshine-on-my-shoulders.blogspot.com

]]> By: Erin http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/#comment-4166 Erin Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:07:02 +0000 http://www.milehighmamas.com/?p=1063#comment-4166 Growing up we had cats, mostly outside cats since my dad didn't like them inside. I had a few beloved ones that got to live inside with us. I remember a stray lab finding our home. I loved that dog but my parents gave it away. I still have issues over that. Then not long after my husband and I were married. We got a little dachshund, two years later we got another one for her to play with. Then my husband found his dream dog a weimariner. Sadly when we had our first daughter the little dogs weren't fond of her one even tried to bite her for no reason. So we found them wonderful new homes and they are happier now than they would have been with us haivng two little children chasing them. Our oldest daughter loves the weimariner she says it's her dog. I will say that the extra time it takes to take care of a dog is a pain most of the time for me at least. But that dog is so good with our girls, she lets them lay on her, sit on her and never seems annoyed by it. It's almost like you can hear her doggy thoughts, " I love my humans." However, this will be our only dog until my girls are old enough to take care of one on their own. I think it is important for children to learn how to take care of animals and that it helps build character. Growing up we had cats, mostly outside cats since my dad didn’t like them inside. I had a few beloved ones that got to live inside with us. I remember a stray lab finding our home. I loved that dog but my parents gave it away. I still have issues over that.

Then not long after my husband and I were married. We got a little dachshund, two years later we got another one for her to play with. Then my husband found his dream dog a weimariner. Sadly when we had our first daughter the little dogs weren’t fond of her one even tried to bite her for no reason. So we found them wonderful new homes and they are happier now than they would have been with us haivng two little children chasing them.

Our oldest daughter loves the weimariner she says it’s her dog. I will say that the extra time it takes to take care of a dog is a pain most of the time for me at least. But that dog is so good with our girls, she lets them lay on her, sit on her and never seems annoyed by it. It’s almost like you can hear her doggy thoughts, ” I love my humans.”

However, this will be our only dog until my girls are old enough to take care of one on their own. I think it is important for children to learn how to take care of animals and that it helps build character.

]]> By: Karla http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/#comment-4165 Karla Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:13:11 +0000 http://www.milehighmamas.com/?p=1063#comment-4165 We have a dog and a cat. Both of which found us. Ches our Choc Lab/Chesapeake cross is 9, and we've had her for 2 years. Woobs, is ? and we've had her for about a year. We're about to make a 3000 mile move so Woobs has found a new home, but I will miss her so, so much. I don't regret adding either of them to our family, despite the fact that we didn't go looking for them. For me, their worth the work. :) Happy Pet Free Living....for now. We have a dog and a cat. Both of which found us. Ches our Choc Lab/Chesapeake cross is 9, and we’ve had her for 2 years. Woobs, is ? and we’ve had her for about a year.

We’re about to make a 3000 mile move so Woobs has found a new home, but I will miss her so, so much.

I don’t regret adding either of them to our family, despite the fact that we didn’t go looking for them. For me, their worth the work. :)

Happy Pet Free Living….for now.

]]> By: Melissa D http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/#comment-4164 Melissa D Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:55:26 +0000 http://www.milehighmamas.com/?p=1063#comment-4164 5 dogs of our own (a 10 year old husky, 10 yr old bull mastiff/lab/goofball, two 6 year old min pins and a 2 year old dobe.. we also have a 13 year old foster min pin.. so that's 6!). I've done rescue for years and can say without a shadow of a doubt, WAIT until your family is ready. Go with your gut. The kids need to be old enough to understand being gentle and you need to be committed to watching children and dog like a hawk. Also, giving 100% to all the other training that goes along with the little package. When you are ready do your research. Find out what breed suits your family best... from activity level to allergies. Be thankful I'm going to avoid ranting about avoiding pet stores and back yard breeders... *shiver* Once you know what you want, find a reputable breeder or breed rescue or shelter (did I mention all but one of our dogs is from rescue or a shelter?). Pure bred doesn't always mean perfect health and/or temperament and there's nothing wrong with a great mutt!! :o) Sorry.. I just see so many owner surrenders that I'm all about educating. I'll jump off my soapbox now.. www.coloradodentons.blogspot.com 5 dogs of our own (a 10 year old husky, 10 yr old bull mastiff/lab/goofball, two 6 year old min pins and a 2 year old dobe.. we also have a 13 year old foster min pin.. so that’s 6!).

I’ve done rescue for years and can say without a shadow of a doubt, WAIT until your family is ready. Go with your gut. The kids need to be old enough to understand being gentle
and you need to be committed to watching children and dog like a hawk. Also, giving 100% to all the other training that goes along with the little package. When you are ready do your research. Find out what breed suits your family best… from activity level to allergies.

Be thankful I’m going to avoid ranting about avoiding pet stores and back yard breeders… *shiver* Once you know what you want, find a reputable breeder or breed rescue or shelter (did I mention all but one of our dogs is from rescue or a shelter?). Pure bred doesn’t always mean perfect health and/or temperament and there’s nothing wrong with a great mutt!! :o )

Sorry.. I just see so many owner surrenders that I’m all about educating. I’ll jump off my soapbox now..

http://www.coloradodentons.blogspot.com

]]> By: Amber Johnson http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/#comment-4163 Amber Johnson Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:26:47 +0000 http://www.milehighmamas.com/?p=1063#comment-4163 The Bichon Summer Olympics consisted of no such things. Lacey was lazy and overweight so I decided to whip her into shape. She begrudgingly did it and I dragged her out on a run every day. One time, she started limping. I rushed her back to the car, only to find her racing all around like nothing had happened. She was FAKING! The Bichon Summer Olympics consisted of no such things. Lacey was lazy and overweight so I decided to whip her into shape. She begrudgingly did it and I dragged her out on a run every day. One time, she started limping. I rushed her back to the car, only to find her racing all around like nothing had happened. She was FAKING!

]]> By: Carol http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/#comment-4162 Carol Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:14:06 +0000 http://www.milehighmamas.com/?p=1063#comment-4162 I have had dogs since I can remember. I don't think there have been too many years of my life that I haven't had one. It was my intention to not have any for a while but somehow it didn't work out that way. :) Right now I have two and REALLY want another one... or two (it's a sickness but I love my puppies like children). I agree with Tee that you have to be ready for the long term commitment and have a family dynamic that allows for pets. The kids in my house are 15 and up so it's pretty easy for me to focus on the other "kids" mrssquirrelassassin.blogspot.com I have had dogs since I can remember. I don’t think there have been too many years of my life that I haven’t had one. It was my intention to not have any for a while but somehow it didn’t work out that way. :)

Right now I have two and REALLY want another one… or two (it’s a sickness but I love my puppies like children). I agree with Tee that you have to be ready for the long term commitment and have a family dynamic that allows for pets. The kids in my house are 15 and up so it’s pretty easy for me to focus on the other “kids”

mrssquirrelassassin.blogspot.com

]]> By: feefifoto http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/#comment-4161 feefifoto Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:13:57 +0000 http://www.milehighmamas.com/?p=1063#comment-4161 Wait -- the Bichon Frise Summer Olympics? That sounds like an oxymoron to me unless the events included things like Shoe Chewing and Toilet Paper Shredding. Wait — the Bichon Frise Summer Olympics? That sounds like an oxymoron to me unless the events included things like Shoe Chewing and Toilet Paper Shredding.

]]> By: Amber Johnson http://www.milehighmamas.com/2008/11/10/the-family-pet-to-have-or-have-not/#comment-4160 Amber Johnson Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:37:32 +0000 http://www.milehighmamas.com/?p=1063#comment-4160 I appreciate your experiences, everyone. Tee, thank you thank you thank you for this comment! I can't tell you how many friends (and neighbors) I've had who treat their pet like they're test-driving a car. If they don't like it? They simply return it. It's so sad and I agree--having a pet is a responsibility you need to commit to if/when you think you're ready. I appreciate your experiences, everyone. Tee, thank you thank you thank you for this comment! I can’t tell you how many friends (and neighbors) I’ve had who treat their pet like they’re test-driving a car. If they don’t like it? They simply return it. It’s so sad and I agree–having a pet is a responsibility you need to commit to if/when you think you’re ready.

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