Travelingmom posted this: “My kids are DYING for a dog. They ask me every single day. my 9 y/o has done internet research to find a dog I might like. I know nothing about dogs and barely have time to shower myself let alone another living being. I might be able to handle a small dog that doesn’t shed. Any suggestions? Should I continue to ignore my kids’ sad, whining pleas?”
And here is my reply! I receive questions like this quite often. “Should I get a dog?” I think quite a bit of the answer depends on you. Do YOU want a dog. How old are the kids? etc. Generally it is not a good idea for a parent to get their kids a dog unless the parent wants to take responsibility for the dog when the kids grow bored with it. The appropriate care for a dog does take quite a bit of time. There is time needed to exercise, feed, clean up after, groom, and play with/give mental stimulation to the dog. Granted, different breeds have different requirements. A cocker spaniel will need more grooming then a short haired breed, but all need to be brushed at some point. There is no such thing as a dog that doesn’t need ANY grooming. Even a chinese crested with little to no hair will need some skin care. There are some breeds who have a coat with more of a hair texture then fur, but they still require brushing.
At the same time, a dog does provide a family with many benefits. My grandmother for instance lived alone. She did not want a dog but I convinced her to rescue one. Simon sat at her side for the last 10 years of her life and was her ever faithful companion. Dogs are loyal, and if given the care they need and deserve, they will give you lots of tail wags, laughter, and they’ll comfort you when down. They lower our blood pressure and keep us young. They can also teach kids about responsibility while caring for another living being.
So the answer to the question is, it really is up to you. If I was in your shoes, I would research the needs of a dog (independent of what the kids say) and determine how much you’re willing to invest into the dog. Particularly if the kids grow tired of him. It also depends on how responsible your kids really are. I know LOTS of families who got a dog when the 9-10 year old wanted one, but when the child hit 14-16 and wanted to go out with her friends, the dog was abandoned. Then again, there are kids who really will spend time with the dog. I was one of those. At 9 years old I trained my first dog. He changed my life and shaped my future career.
