Hi! I'd really love a dog,more than anything! I also KNOW for sure that I'd be a great owner because many people have said so and I've looked after a lot of dogs for other people before. Unfortunately, my dad says our family is too busy right now. Here is our situation:
Me- leave for school at 8:35, come home at 3:40 on weekdays.
Big brother- school from 7:30-4:15 on weekdays.
Mom- works from 1:15-8:05 on tuesdays and Thursdays (except for book club which is every thursday until 10:00). She also works every other Saturday from 9:45- 1:00.
Dad- runs his own model aeroplane business on the computer by himself! Busy all day long, but could take the dog to the post office witth him every afternoon.

So, there's our schedule! Maybe you might think we're not too busy for a dog after all, but others might think otherwise.

It's not how we think that matters. It's what your parents think

If you are living with your parents and they think the family is to busy then you will have to respect that. There is no rush to get a pup, you can always wait until you finish school and have your own home before you get one.
I wasn't allowed my own dog while I lived with my family. I wanted one desperately but they felt the timing wasn't right and when I look back on it now as an adult I can see they were right. A dog is a huge amount of work and your parents probably aren't up for it right now.
That being said you could always volunteer at a shelter on the weekends or offer to walk your neighbours dogs. Its not exactly the same but you get to enjoy all the pleasurable activities that come with owning a dog without all the work and your helping out a needy pooch!
I know it might seem like a long wait but the time will come when you are ready and set up to own a puppy

Ok, thanks for the advice! Unfortunately, there aren't any nearby shelters where I live. But my grandma's neighbour has a bouncy little jack russell which I sometimes walk. That's less than once a month though. Nevermind, I'm sure one of my mates would'nt mind if I helped them with their dogs. Anyway, thanks for all the advice and I'll try to be patient for the next 5 years until I finish school!

I'm not sure how old you are but as you're still at school then I think you need to respect the decision your parents have made, there are many responsibilities that come with owning a dog...looking after a dog sometimes gives you a bit of an idea but doesn't really come close to the hard work involved when you are the actual owner.

They are much like children and will take up a big amount of your time, you have to do the bad bits aswell as having the good times, cleaning up poo/wee until the dog it house trained plus getting up during the night until it can go through until morning, learning to live with it chewing up your possessions, talking it out for a walk in the cold, rain and wind...the list is endless but basically your dog comes before you and what you want or what you feel like doing takes second place.

Then there is the financial side of things, the vets bills for vaccinations, chipping etc plus any unexpected illness, the food isn't cheap when you actually add it all up, all the bits and pieces a dog needs too...bed, lead, collar, toys, flea treatments etc

I'm just trying to explain the realities so I'm sorry if sound like I'm giving you a lecture, I'm really not....your obvious love for dogs is to be applauded and I'm sure you will probably make a great dog owner one day when the time is right

__________________
Lisa x

Mummy to : Leila, Sophie and also Nikita the Siberian Husky.

RIP - Koda-Bear the Bernese Mountain Dog (my best furry friend and canine soulmate), Scott the Newfoundland (miss ya big guy) , also Fliss, Tara, Sophie, Ben, Poppy and Scamp.

This is who I really am - 30 Seconds to Mars (The Kill)
I am not afraid…I was born to do this - Joan of Arc
Love is being stupid together - Paul Valery

Thank you for the advice! It doesn't seem like you're lecturing me, besides. Well, I have actually walked the jack russel (Moto) at 4:00 in the morning and through snow/rain/heavy wind/hail and everything else while staying with his owner! So, I can pretty much handle early hours and the weather. As for financial issues, a couple of other family members have said they would help. And my age, well I'll be finishing primary school this september, so i guess I probably should 'respect my parent's' decisions! Sorry for contradicting you, but I do agree that owning a dog will be quite different from part-time looking after one.rr

Oh, sorry! I'm not trying to purposefully alter anybody's opinions if that's what it seems like! Sorry!

Unfortunately it is always upto the head of the household to make the final decision on whether to get a dog or not... and in this case it is your parents!

But atleast you have plenty of time to research your perfect dog and even plan your career path to suit your choosen dog like maybe become a vet or work from home etc !

In the mean time, just enjoy what chances you get to help care for other dogs, like Moto and maybe keep a look out for other people who might have a managable dog for you to help look after!
There might be a breeder near by for example who would appreciate the help of cleaning out the kennels, or even a stable who has a yard dog who needs a good groom!
You could also use any money you make from such small jobs to go toward your doggie fund for when you get your own home

__________________

I was 14 when we got murphy , and none of my family even like dogs and it probably shouldn't of happened as he was only for me (now everyone loves him though and i barely get a look in )
. I think as long as the dog is not alone for too long and you are willing to put a lot of hard work in it could work (obviously I don't know your situation enough to fully say)

Something I found was reading all about dogs and walking other peoples dogs is completely different to having your own , its very challenging but very rewarding , you can't go out for the day as a family unless the dog can go too and things like that .... I'd suggest sitting the family down and having a serious chat to see if you think it could work!

Good luck

__________________

Again, thank you! Everybody who's posted seems to have the same general advice with some extra tips:
. Not ready for a dog yet
. Respect parent's decisions
. Help out with other dogs
. Spend some time thinking about having a dog
Thank you so much to everybody who's posted, this list is just to sum up everything that's been posted. Maybe another person is asking the same question as i was so this list may sum up everything in short.