Poop, Pets, And Perhaps
The Whittakers have always been anti pet.
I had a dog but was a HORRIBLE owner.
They are expensive and smell.
And they poop outside of toilets.
But the older Sohaila gets, the more she falls in love with the canine.
We are thinking in the upcoming years it might be good for her.
And honestly…us.
What about you guys?
Are you pet people?
If you are convince me to get one…If not convince me not to…
Los
RAIN IT DOWN
i just got my first dog, an 8 month old huskie. He is a handful, but i know he will be there when i get home, and he loves me unconditionally!
we are pug-people and are the forever laps for two quite humorous puglets.
They are the funniest thing since sliced bread and would be pug-tastic {ahem – sorry} photo ops for y’all. Talk about quality entertainment
Plus they are kid-sized which means you could teach the kids to walk them and mom and dad would be off the hook …. holllaaa!
we adopted two from a pug-rescue agency. err, they adopted us. (Abby Grace & Lilypug – aka Wombat and Waddles)
happy dog searching!
I used to be, but after almost 22 years of marriage & 7 kids. I’m over pets & waiting for them all to die or runaway! The kids have 2 dogs & 2 cats. We used to have rabbits, but I told them no more rodents! Once these pets are gone, I’m done. They are smelly. Pee & poop all over, ruin stuff like shoes & hoses & they dig holes in the yard.
But then again they can be so dang cute! Kind of like my kids.
Absolutely love the loyalty a dog gives to its family. But, if you have a lot of hardwood floors, make sure to get something that doesn’t shed or it will drive you crazy. Dog hair is a mess to clean up especially on hard floors.
I have two dogs. Always been a dog person. Now I just need to teach them to poop like that. Some how poop that spells out I love you seems less offensive.
My advice to you, start small. Get a Pet Rock…
I currently have 2 cats. However, when I was a kid, we had a dog. We got her from the local animal shelter and she was a mutt. I think it helped to teach my sister and I responsibility (taking her for walks, cleaning up after she did her business, cleaning up our yard, feeding her, etc.). The only thing that might be a caution is that you have to make plans for the dog if you are going to be away from the house overnight, etc. and can’t take the dog with you. I can leave my cats in my house for about a day (maybe two) as long as I leave enough food, water, and a clean litter box. A dog needs to be taken outside to do it’s business (unless you want it everywhere). Just my two cents.
I was thinking the same thing. We have 2 dogs and to kennel them for a week is over $200.00. Also a cat that someone has to feed.Kennels charge by the pound, so get something small.
I love dogs, and catch myself wanting one sometimes, but then I remember all the stuff you mentioned. My wife grew up on a farm and isn’t a fan of “inside dogs,” so it’s kind of a moot point anyway. What’s your wife’s opinion?
I hear you on the no pets thing Los!! Growing up we had cats and fish, my parents still have cats and I dont mind them but for our house we’d rather only be cleaning up after 1 set of messy things (the kids)!! We wont ever get a dog, I cant stand them but as teh kids get older we may consider a pet but for now we like the fact our clothes, carpets and furniture stay clean and ole free, our house doesnt smell, we dont have to clean poop off the yard/floor/concrete and we can leave for a trip at the drop of a hat coz we dont have to fint a pet sitter. I love animals, I just live them more when they dont live with me
oh boy so many typos soz!! I’ve got a nearly 2 week old son in the house so forgive the sleep deprived comment above!
We got our first dog as a family just a year and a half ago and have had SO much fun. We were fortunate to find a nearly 2yo dog who had been well-trained, and we kind of all took to each other immediately. He is definitely, and happily, part of the family.
but… 2 things: (1) having a dog adds another layer of complexity when you’re going to be away from home. (2) it’s worth it to research dog breeds, how active they are, and hold that up to what kind of neighborhood/house you live in.
We were anti dog, then my brother bred their female sheltie. They were born on Christmas day, when we went for New Years they had given away all but one. I fell in love. He was the cutest little puppy. When he was 8 weeks old we brought him home…he is now 3 and the best dog that we have ever had.
Two words – Boston Terrier. Smallish, will fit in a bath tub to wash and travel well, short no maintenance fur, great with kids and very cuddly.
I love dogs that don’t shed!
Poop outside of toilets.
This from the man who was excited about showering and pooping at the same time. Yeah I remember the video dude.
i’m so not a pet person but i love my dog so, so much. if you can find a yorkie as good as Toby then i’d recommend that
I am a cat lover, have four cats and volunteer at a no kill animal shelter. My advise to prospective adoptees is that if the whole family is not in agreement ,they should not get a pet. They are usually surprised when I say that but the worst thing you can do is take a pet home and return it later—both for the people and the animal. It takes time, money and effort to have any kind of pet so if you’re not sure, don’t do it. You can blame my advice and Sohalia can hate me instead of you!!!
i have always been a dog person, grew up with them, and had them before kids.
Then, i had KIDS.
We are now dog-free, and although I miss how cute they are, I DON’T MISS THE RESPONSIBLITY AT ALL.
And I don’t miss having to bum to someone to watch them while we are traveling, or gone for more than half a day.
And I don’t miss the smell of DOG in an old house.
I guess you could say I used to be a dog person
As an allergy person that can’t breathe in a “dog house” NO! No matter how clean the house, the allergens linger and I can’t breathe (unfortunately some friends don’t understand and feel my cough til you puke is my way of saying their house is dirty, but that’s another post)
I also have a son that LOVES LOVES LOVES ALL animals, but is also dog/cat allergic. Right now the care of 11 and 8 year old boys (and their father) is more than enough for this mom to take. Probably the whole allergy/not being able to breathe thing has me pretty biased, but it would be horrible to bring home, fall in love with a pet and have someone turn up allergic.
yea, we have a bulldog. But here is what happens when you have a son and a dog.
http://www.twitvid.com/U7EXN
That’s funny.
Ha ha! Love it!
Had a cat when I was a kid. Cat’s are easy to take care of. You can leave them for a weekend with a bowl of food and they’re cool. Dogs = commitment. That’s kinda where I’m at on the whole pet thing.
BTDubs… nice image for this post… haha
My family has had dogs forever.
I recently moved into my own home and will have an American Bulldog in about two weeks. I am nervous but I know after the training and everything it is totally worth it!!
I great companion and they don’t talk back!
“a great companion” not “I” sorry
We have had dogs and sugar gliders and rats and mice and, and, and…you get the picture. Consideration that need to be made with most furry, feather, aquatic animal aside from possible allergy issues is…what are we gonna do with it when we go on vacation…be it a weekend away…or 2 weeks…or a whole summer. They HAVE to be fed DAILY and then there’s the poop issue…
k…so here goes….have you ever considered reptiles..snakes to be specific. They are quite interesting creatures if you can get past the “creepy crawly” bad rap they get. My then 10 year old daughter started with wild caught local water snakes (non-venomous of course) and has since graduated (8 years later) to various types of snakes like ball pythons and red tail boas, corn snakes and rainbow boas. While snakes are not for everyone, they are very hands-on pets and can be carried around in purse or pocket..trust me…it’s been done at our house. More often than not, our daughter’s snakes were out on the table, around her neck or in a pocket while sitting doing schoolwork.
Anway…it’s just a thought
Snakes teach responsibility to kids, but it’s not as labor intensive as a dog would be as they typically eat weekly or bi monthly..depending on variety. And…..they only poop when they eat! 
so again…for some varieties this would be a couple times a month.
Blessings to you and your family in your pet adventure! And thanks for your CD…you can’t imagine the blessing those songs have been for our family
i love my german sheperd! he is my best friend. if you love your dog, they will love you back. good responsibility for the kids to feed, pick up crap, walk, etc…
adopt a dog =] your kids will fall in love him it…and u guys will too =]
los, if you adopt a dog, your heart will grow bigger instantly. i promise! and, if you need more reasons, check out this post of my dog with my niece. i fall in love with my dog even more each time i watch this!
http://chois-r-us.blogspot.com/2010/08/more-proof.html
go for a cat to ease into pet ownership – FAR less maintenance – no worries if you leave the house for a week.
I am not a pet person, but I live on a farm with a couple hundred outdoor animals. We have one dog who lives inside our house because he’s known my husband longer than I’ve known my husband.
Overall, dogs are great for kids. But they also bring 10-15 (sometimes even 20) years of responsibility. You will forever have to feed it, clean up after it poops, make sure it gets enough exercise and entertainment, etc. On the flip side, a dog will probably love you and your family unconditionally until the day it dies.
Don’t do it! Stay pet free! Dogs will: run out the front door and make you chase them; jump on your guests; lick you with the same tongue with which they lick their butts; cost you lots of money at the vet and groomer, not to mention what you’ll spend on dog food; poop in your yard (and house occasionally); be under your feet and in your way wherever you walk in your home; bark at inopportune times; make it hard to leave town because you have to find a dog-sitter; and shed their nasty hair all over your furniture and clothes. (I have these arguments memorized from explaining to my husband and children that “no we can not get a dog.”)
Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I’m listening to my dog lick his butt right now. *sigh* You are never alone when you have a dog.
I grew up on a farm and we had several cats and dogs. I preferred the cats (see http://bit.ly/meandcats). My wife can’t stand anything that will lick her (other than me, of course). My daughter chain-sneezes around cats anyway.
I’d rather spend my money on sponsoring a child or something than have a pet.
So I guess that makes us pet-less snobs, huh?
Hubby and I grew up with dogs but decided NOT to get one because of the reasons you listed.
About three years ago we took a Maltese by trial. While many dogs have scent glands, Malteses do not and they do not stink, unless of course, you don’t bathe them. =) They are pretty smart but NOT too smart for their own good. We have a makeshift fence up and ours doesn’t even try to get out. lol. Any other smarter breed of dog would jump over or move the fence out of the way. Very easy to potty train and they are very eager to please. They also don’ need to be exercised much- give em lots of hugs and a run around the house and you have a FAITHFUL friend. And, who can resist a face like this? They are the cutest dogs EVER!
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENXX250&=&q=maltese&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=946&bih=490
Btw, at first hubby did not want to take our pup with him cuz he was too much of a foo foo dog. Hubby doesn’t use that line anymore and he willingly takes the dog with him cuz he is such a well behaved litte thing. =)
i have a dog. he’s 110 lbs. i love him so much, but he’s just so dang big. my advice, get about a 35-50 lb dog. big enough to horse around with, small enough to keep your place as the man.
follow @cesarmillan, the dog whisperer. do what he says, he’s like a jedi knight for dogs. remember, exercise, discipline, then affection creates calm submissive dog. you are the pack leader. you and your whole family.
that said, if i travelled as much as you, i would NOT get a dog unless you got amnesty from my wife that i would never be responsible for the dog, ever. they are work, that’s for sure!
but there is a rewarding relationship to be had, if you train them well, and get through the annoying puppy phase. he sits by my side when i smoke cigars, read, walks with me around the house. he is my constant companion. i truly enjoy having him. hope this helps!
btw… for all the cat people, i had two cats… they were conniving, territorial, and always seeing how much they could get away with. everything’s on their terms. with a dog, you are the king.
Dogs are awesome. Just bathe ‘em often and get that doggy mouthwash stuff and you’ll be good. My dog’s named Rosalita, and she is the bomb… just sayin’.
11 years ago…my wife had twins….the day before, my beautiful collie went to live at my dad’s. My wife told me I could have another dog when she died. She is 6 years younger than me. I love my wife more than I love collies….and all my kids want a dog.
I’ll just be glad when you write a new post, so I don’t have to look at the poop words.
Los,
Straight up dogs are great! I grew up with no animals, and when I got married I told my wife no animals. Then she finally convinced me in getting a dog, and I have been hooked since. We have a Golden Retriever (which is great with kids) and a Tea Cup Yorkie. We have used the ownership of dogs to help with teaching responsibility with our kids. There are things they need to do (brush, feed, water, pick up dog poop etc.) on a weekly if not daily basis. And in all that the dog becomes part of the family and they are very loyal.
If You want a dog , get your kids a dog, if you dont want a dog, don’t. Because you or someone else is going to end up doing the most in the care of the animal. Puppies and kids are cute and are great photo ops, but if YOU are not committed to the ownership it aint gonna be fun very long..
This sounds like a decision for Heather. With your traveling, she’s going to do the heavy lifting with this one, especially until the kids are old enough to REALLY take care of it.
One more thing…….. Adopt from a shelter or rescue. Too many dogs put down in the name of wanting a pet with “papers”.
Has probably already been mentioned, but y’all might travel a bit much to have a dog… unless you are ready to fork over a chunk of change for boarding OR you have a great friend that will sit for you when you’re out of town.
Out of town time is the only time that, for us, having a dog sucks.
Other than that, we LOVE having a dog. It’s such a sweet thing to see our almost 14 year old tough guy son lay on the dog’s bed with her and love all over her!!
My family was never really into pets. We tried having a couple dogs over the years, but we always ended up giving them away to other families.
Then I married into a VERY pet friendly family. My wife had a cat and within the first year of our marriage we got one dog and then eventually a 2nd one. I fell in love with them (the dogs, not the cat). They are definitely a lot of work, but they have become a part of the family.
do it. i had a dog when i was a kid. some of my best memories came from that time. i learned how to be kind to animals.
I just lost one of my two dogs four weeks ago. I miss him terribly. Don’t get a dog if you are afraid of the pain that will come when they leave you. Otherwise than that, all of the extra work and money involved when caring for a dog can never repay all the love and companionship the dog will give to you. My dogs are (were) a gift in my life.
I was NOT a pet person…especially not dogs. When my husband and I got married he kept begging for a dog and I kept saying NO. They smell, you have to pick up their poop, they shed… I did not want to deal with that.
BUT I love my husband so I did some research and finally decided that if we were to get a dog it would have to be a miniature schnauzer…because they’re not too big and not too small and they don’t shed their fur (praise the Lord!)… and I wanted to adopt an adult dog not a puppy (did NOT want to deal with house training on destructive behavior).
SO a few months ago we welcomed sweet little Jaxon into our family. And I am glad to say we love him! I never expected to love a dog this much, but I really do. Believe me…I was VERY anti-dog…but I love our Jaxon. http://www.glowinglightblog.com/2010/06/meet-jaxon.html
So just do your research and try to choose a breed that fits into what you are looking for.
I am anti. I don’t ever want to be the person who has to go home from hanging out with people because I have to let the dog out/feed/walk, etc. Plus, I am not home enough. I don’t want to feel guilty about not giving a pet the attention they need/deserve. Cost – even if you get pet from a kennel, food is like a monthly bill, then kids get attached and when pet is sick, sometimes hundreds of $ in vet expenses. Smell, mess, finding/paying for kennel/babysitters if we want to go on vacation.
I think most people disagree with me saying that the work is worth it (its an animal, not a person) and I ruffle some feathers, but I am standing firm.
Plus, can I just say that it bothers me that the Sarah McGlaughclin (spelling?) commercial about the hurting animals evokes more emotion in most people than the commercials about financially supporting the starving kids in other countries?
Thats my soapbox.
Amen
Rebecca, WORD!!
I thought out a great 10 point monologue on why you shouldn’t get a dog, and then realized… your original post implies you already agree… maintanence, $, and poop… nuff said. As busy as your life seems, I can’t see pet ownership as a blessing instead of a burden for your young family.
Think of it kinda like marriage vows. For better, for worse. Richer, or (they def will make you) poorer. Love and cherish, til death do you part. Might be the best or worst thing that you’ve ever done….again, there’s marriage. Looks like your fam has a lot of love to share, so if you decide to take the plunge, you’ll have one lucky dog…
We have two Jack Russells and a two year old daughter. If I had it to do all over again, I’d keep the daughter and lose the dogs. Unless we had a big house in the country with lots of acres of land. Then I’d keep the dogs. Outside. In the barn. Far, far away from the house.
My dog has been lucky to survive the five years she has been alive. She is a very vindictive little thing. The minute we leave, she goes around making sure we are sorry that we did. Let me just say she has cost us $$ to fix her damage. And that is so very annoying. If it wasn’t for my kids, I would have taken her on a Chicago ride YEARS ago. Sorry, but true. My pet stories won’t leave you warm and cuddly.
Do you really want to worry about a pet with as much traveling as your family does? UGH.
I am definitely not a pet person… BUT… my parents got a St. Bernard – they have 9 kids so they thought a dog would be too much so they did some research and that dog is AMAZING! I hate when dogs are always jumping up on you and these dogs are nice and lazy and cuddly and just love to be around people laying around… my sister got one too and its just as lazy!
I told my kids when we get a house they can definitely get one. Definitely a kid friendly, loyal dog. 
Does it help to know that with the amount of money that Americans spend on pet food we could end world hunger?
THANK YOU, CHRIS!!!!!
My husband and I have a golden retriever and a savannah cat. I honestly was not a pet person before I met my husband, but he loves animals so I agreed to a dog, and eventually a cat. They are a lot of responsibility, but they have been a great addition to the family. Our golden has such a calming energy and is very people friendly. We love to take him hiking, which is great exercise.
My advice would be to try and borrow one before you commit to anything. Last year I was certain that we needed a dog, I never had one as a child but my husband did and I thought it could only enhance our lives. When our friends went on holiday we volunteered to take their dog for a week. I’m so glad we did as by the end of the week we were so glad to give her back! She shed everywhere, chewed everything in sight, barked, cried and as for lovely relaxing walks, I barely spoke two words to my husband as we were so busy telling the dog off for pulling us over, tripping us up and jumping over everyone we saw along the way. It was so not for us, but if you are going to go for it, maybe an older dog, not a puppy would be the best solution?
1 dog
+1 hamster
+1 rabbit
+1 snapping turtle
+1 russian tortoise
=
Too much fun!
We don’t take a lot of vacations away from home, so having all these pets works for us. I love my dog, but it just doesn’t work for some people. She is a daily reminder that I am loved unconditionally.
Good luck!
I didn’t really want a pet when we got our mutt. But you know, now I love that dog. He was great for my wife when she was going through some hard stuff and he’s great with my son. Yes they make more work at times, but then again getting out for walking the dog is good for the family too.
First of all, that picture is DISGUSTING. It makes me want to throw up.
Secondly, no–I’m not a pet person. My parents bought us three different dogs growing up (a mutt, a Beagle, and they still have a Sheltie) but I’ve realized that I’m just not cut out to be a pet owner. Their Sheltie is especially sweet, and I’ve never met a better behaved dog, but I know I wouldn’t give the dog the attention it needs or deserves.
Thankfully my husband isn’t a pet person either, and we don’t have any kids, so we don’t have to deal with them wanting one yet…
Do you think your kiddos will actually take care of the dog (scooping poop and taking it on walks), or will it be you and Heather? That’d be a big factor for me.
Not a pet person because I would have to pick up their poop. No thank you.
I enjoy animals but I will not take care of them.
If I am going to have something that poops, I’d rather have a child.
my cat is 12 pounds of fuzzy smugness.
I am a pet person, loved having dogs growing up and love having dogs and cats as a single adult with no children.
I was still shocked to read this:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2106&aid=1543
The average cost of owning a dog for 14 years can range up to 39k. Say it slow: Thiiirrrty Niiiiine Thoooousand Dollars.
Aside from that, and knowing what I know of you and Heather thru your blogs only, I think that you guys are too slammed/too much on the go for a dog. A cat, maybe…
Definitely get some type of pet. No human will ever give you the unconditional love that a pet will. My cat’s the greatest thing since sliced bread, even when she sneezes in my face (okay, maybe I could do without that, and the barf on the rug…).
if you can get a yorkie as cute and well-behaved as my little guy then you should totally go that route.
We have 2 dogs. They are always there for us, no matter what.
You can see our dog Dakota here: http://blog.dakotadiaries.com/
And both Dakota and Jaffery featured here:
http://www.youtube.com/dakotadiaries
They are a lot of work, however it is all worth it when you come home from a tough day, and they are waiting there wagging their tails, smiling, and reminding you that you are the best person to them in the world.
I am anti-animal of any kind. It’s not that I don’t like them, but I dont’ want to be tied down. I have friends either have to find someone to pet sit or board their dogs every time we take a trip. They have to go home and let them out and are basically at their beck and call. They’re way needier than children, you can’t take them everywhere and are essentially tied to home. Vet bills, food, time, energy, POOP, OH THE POOP! That alone does it for me! Good luck with whatever you decide!