Enter two little girls who love animals.
The girls have long wanted a pet. Like forever! What kid doesn't want a pet, right? But, the whole allergy thing has really put a damper on any real negotiations.
Until, today. Today, I mentioned getting a dog again. A Maltese to be exact because they are a no-shed dog and are 'hypo-allergenic'. And, you know what? He didn't say no. He said, yes... well, sort've. He didn't exactly say yes, but he did not say no. In fact, he tried to talk me out of it, but said, that if we got a dog I'd be the one to take care of it, yadda, yadda, yadda.
So, here's where I'm at. I've never really* owned an inside pet and I'm wondering a few things.
- What is the biggest complaint for owning an inside dog?
- What is the greatest joy?
- What do you do when you leave to go out of town? (And you don't have a doggie door!)
- What do you do with a dog if you are gone for the better part of the day? (Seriously, I don't know!)
- Anyone know anything about a Maltese that I should know, but may be afraid to ask...
- That whole potty training issue... I'm scared!
As much and I love the idea of getting a family pet, I don't want to jump into anything that I would regret. Ya know? So, pet owners... help me out here!
(*Except for a Dachshund that I owned briefly before I gave it away to my uncle because I was getting married. I had him for about 8 months and never mastered the art of potty training. He is much happier in his current home. Apparently he has a bit of a stubborn streak...)
4 of you are mildly amused:
We just recently adopted a poodle maltese mix named Bridget. She is about a year old. I have always had an inside dog - poodles, min pins and now this one.
My biggest complaint is the occasional accident when I get too busy with the boys to remember to let her out in a timely manner, some toy chewing (she is teething), and waking up the baby with the jingling of her collar.
The greatest joy - playing fetch; watching all three boys play, love and take responsibility for her; and loving on her myself.
We board her when we go out of town, but we have had neighbors volunteer to dogsit.
If you don't have a fenced yard, I guess you add the extra time it will take to put her on a leash for walks and potty time. Unlike, minpins though, a maltese should hang around you for the most part - they are clingy.
I put Bridget in the laundry room with her bed, a toy, food and water if I am going to be gone for long. She is also crate trained - a MUST!
The only thing I can think about a Maltese is that it is a woman's dog. They like women and kids, not too fond of the men. Also, get a female dog, no boys, trust me.
Hope this wasn't too long, but we just love our Bridget! BTW - it was Nick's idea to get a dog again.
My dogs were my children before I had children, now they are dogs. They are mostly outside dogs now b/c of shedding. SO, get a non-shedder if at all possible if they do exist. Potty training is way easier with a female. Companishionship is key for dogs, thus the reason we have two (b/c I worked 40 hour weeks). If you are not going to be home don't get a dog, get a hedgehog or something small. You cannot leave an inside dog alond while you go on vacation, your house WILL be destroyed. They used to eat my dirty laundry and they eat all of their food at once, so you cannot leave food for days at a time. Really knowing what I know about you, you do not want a family dog. Sorry to disappoint, but do consider something in the small cage family. I had a class hedgehog, and they were awesome pets.
Don't do it. Seriously. Don't do it.
Ditto to Leigh Ann! Seriously, we have tried dogs three times, and it always seems so great to get a dog for the kids to grow up with, but they get over it and the great idea fades.
We have one basset hound and we love him, BUT if we found him a great home, we would love a poop less back yard again!
Post a Comment