You situation sounds very similar to ours.
We waited a long time to get our dogs - and lots of people were saying why do you want a dog and are you sure you have time for a dog.
And like you I just wished they would give me some credit

On the other hand there were people who were very pro getting a dog.

I appreciated both sides as it's good to get the balance of opinions

Getting our dogs was definately the best thing we ever did - and all the 'downsides' are just part of owning a dog anyway, I wouldn't consider them negatives really just part of my dogs character

Good luck in your search for your new puppy , I look forward to hearing all about him/her the good and the bad

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A dog Possesses Beauty without Vanity,Strength without Insolence, Courage without Ferocity, And all the Virtues of Man without his Vices.

I have no problem hearing the downsides about a dog. I have a problem with the aggressive assumption that because I've never owned a dog, I'm an unprepared idiot who is going to give up at the first sign of a puddle of vomit.

Would you have liked if someone had written this?

Every year, people just like you have a baby with all of the good intentions that go with it, yet EVERY year, thousands of babies and children (just like the one you're planning on having, and possibly even the one you do end up having) end up abused, neglected, abandoned and in foster care. It's no good thinking that this won't be your child, because frankly; that's what everyone else thought when they got pregnant! So obviously, people end up changing their minds (or their circumstances change it for them), and you're not immune from that. Only a fool would think they were.

If you want to educate people, patronising them generally makes sure that your message doesn't come across at all. While this has turned into a reasonable topic, the original post really missed the boat if the intention was to educate people.

[QUOTE=Fleur;1368357]You situation sounds very similar to ours.
We waited a long time to get our dogs - and lots of people were saying why do you want a dog and are you sure you have time for a dog.
And like you I just wished they would give me some credit

On the other hand there were people who were very pro getting a dog.

I appreciated both sides as it's good to get the balance of opinions

QUOTE]

I am having the same problems right now and its driving me nuts!! Most people only have negative things to say and don't get why we want a dog and seem to imply we can't cope - which is rubbish - we have both lived with dogs our whole lives. I know its hard work and can involve poop, pee and god knows what else but we are prepared for that and it annoys me when (mainly people who don't own dogs) start talking to you like you are 5 years old again "oooh ... you sure its such a good idea - dogs are hard work you know" in that annoying patronising tone.

Edit just to add - I mean people not on this forum.

I hope I didn't offend or patronise anybody in my post. Some people have been very serious in their posts, whilst most of us have tried to add to this thread in a less serious, more humourous vein. Whether people are being jokey or serious, patronising or not, it's quite interesting to hear what some people consider to be bad points of dog ownership, and it's reassuring to hear that you're not the only one who has to deal with their dog's 'intersting' habbits!

who is anybody to tell anybody that they arent ready for a baby? In my opinion who is? Apart from the very rich who really dont bring up their own child any way have the money for it and I know a few people who have tried all their lives to be in the right situation to have one and never got there. How many times have we heard "It wasnt the right time and now I wish I had tried sooner"?? Its the same with a puppy. If you have looked into it properly and know whats gonna come and you feel right then do it and ignore the people who are telling you ur not ready. If you feel you are then you are. The people who are wrong are the ones who feel they are ready, take it on find it difficult and give up without trying to do the right thing towards the dog ie join a pet forum as good as this or take it puppy training or the RSPA to get advice cause I am sure they would. Its the ones that abandon it and not try to get help. It is hard and your not gonna get it right the first time and you are gonna need help! I get help from Alfies school daily due to the behaviour I get from him sometimes and it works. I AM NOT gonna not have a baby cause someone says I am not ready or give it away cause I have problems and thats the difference. Everyone learns all the time about parenting a child and a puppy. Being told the problems is not the right way about it. Saying how to cope with them is!

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Mummy to.....

Rob-Human Hubby Alfie-Human baby Jacob-Human baby Chazz-Dachsy X Jack Russell Missy-Beagal X Jack Russell hamster Starsky, Ginger and Spice-Gerbils Hammy-Chinese dwarf hamster Huff & Puff-Western hognoses Suzy & James-Corn snakes Big Mumma-Yellow bellied slider Tweedle Dumb & Tweedle Dee-False map turtles Tank full of fish!

I think this is a great thread even if it may have been worded a bit 'wrong' in the op. I love knowing that im not the only one who has had walls chewed to shreds when pup is teathing (before we had the experience of crate training) washing paws everytime they come in in bad weather, having our sofa made into a commode
Giving up on sweeping the hairs, as soon as we finish its back to the beginning again
The list could go on, but just having a dog around brings me so much joy and happiness that the outragious (SP) cost of damages and vet bills could never outweigh the good times.
And then the heart break of having many happy and fulfilling years together including the funny but not so good points and having to let your pet sleep forever this has got to be the hardest part of ownership knowing that your best friend is no longer going to make you smile and laugh

It's that moment when your picking up a paticulary big poop and ur finger goes through the bag!

It's the moment when the vet say's "tablets for life" and ur glad you didn't take ur OH's advice and dump the insurance!

It's the moment you feel that warm sensation on ur shin when they discover "marking"!

It's the vet's smile as ur handing over 120 for him to remove a part of ur dog!

It's the moment when you stumble upon a romantic picnic and find ur dog running about happily with his new "freind" playing "catch me if you can" with a sexy red bra!

It's the moment when you're meeting "the parents" and he take's a specific attraction to "dad"

It's the moment you have to apologise to the neighbours AGAIN because they need to fish their cat out of a tree AGAIN

It's the moment you're snuggled on the couch and he rips of one that you can taste!

It's the moment he learns to "bring" you ur shoes . . . redecorated!

BUT it is the moment he nudges you when ur sad, the moment he FINALLY gets it, the moment he makes you proud . . . THATS the moment that makes it all sooooooo worthwhile!

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That has put a big smile on my face, it's all so true!

Rep coming to the OP for this thread - so funny! Everything everyone has said on this is absolutely true lol!

yes so if you're looking to buy a puppy or dog...read all of that and think about whether you can cope will all this! LOL

That being said no matter how naughty and how much hard work my pup is, i wouldn't be without him or dogs for that matter, for anyone

But great thread hon!

and Mama Sass - really? He peed on the remote...oh dear! LOL

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My two babies. Separated for a while but now both reunited on Rainbow Bridge, running in a field of daises. Gone but not forgotten. Love you always and forever



http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0281358/quotes?qt0401992

I love it! Sooo true. You know this thread has been pretty good, I know I have done major long posts, but you guys have taken everything that has been said by everyone very well. Ty.

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Mummy to.....

Rob-Human Hubby Alfie-Human baby Jacob-Human baby Chazz-Dachsy X Jack Russell Missy-Beagal X Jack Russell hamster Starsky, Ginger and Spice-Gerbils Hammy-Chinese dwarf hamster Huff & Puff-Western hognoses Suzy & James-Corn snakes Big Mumma-Yellow bellied slider Tweedle Dumb & Tweedle Dee-False map turtles Tank full of fish!