The big debate raging in the Naughty household at present is about a family pet. When the boys were first born, we had a large fish tank with about 15 fish and also three small dogs; two pugs and a Chihuahua cross. So we are used to animals in the house. The fish tank was quite old and becoming way too high maintenance with two small boys, so when we moved 4 years ago we gave the fish and the tank away.We had adopted the two pugs as rescue dogs about 3 years before we had kids, and the chihuahua (Dino) about a year before I had Mr J.
About 18 months ago when Dino was almost 4 years old he started fitting and frothing at the mouth one night and sadly, after an emergency run to the out of hours vet he passed away. The two pugs who had been young adults when we got them, both passed within 6 months of each other about 12 months ago. Yep bit tough in our household last year, we had lost three dogs in the space of about 8 months :(
So now, 12 months since our last dear little pug passed away, we have been talking about a new dog. My sister has two small dogs that the boys visited with at the Christmas holidays, and now they really want a dog. Naughty hubby says lets have a bit of a longer break as dogs are a big responsibility and he is right. However...............
I'm torn. I grew up with dogs my whole life. This past 12 months has been the first time in my ENTIRE life that I haven't had a dog. That's 34 years of furry friend companionship (wait that sounded wrong.... Moving on). I find it lonely without having a dog running under my feet, greeting us at the door when we get home. The boys would love running around our backyard with a canine friend to rough and tumble with. I like the extra feeling of security I get at night with a dog to bark at noises. I am one of those people who wanders around the house completing tasks and talking to my dog. ( Crazy dog lady anyone?) So I think I am noticing the absence more than anyone. It's okay though, I'm being really subtle in trying to convince naughty hubby .... I only send him pictures of labrador puppies in pet shops about once or twice a
On the flip side, I can totally see hubbies point. Having a dog/puppy is a huuuuugggggeeee responsibility. The dog we had before Dino and the pugs, had been in my life since I was 10 and I had forgotten how really well trained she was. Bringing a new puppy home, that needs to be house trained and taught manners and not to chew or bark all the time or bite etc is a huge shock to the system. Its also a whole truck load of hard work. Then you also have to be fair to the dog, make sure they have enough play time and mental stimulation otherwise you will have behavior problems. Then there is the cost. Not only do you have to pay $$$ to buy a new puppy ( even a rescue dog costs money these days) but you have to look at de-sexing costs and puppy preschool and flea treatments and immunisations and leads and beds and food etc etc etc. Its like having another baby all over again. And I won't even mention the dog fur that seems to appear out of nowhere and set up residence on every piece of clothing from here to eternity.
But they
are
so Cute.
Oh well, the debate continues
Xx
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