Question:
My husband and my kids want a dog but I don’t think they have any idea what a big commitment it is.
I keep telling them that apart from training and walking we’ll also have to pay for insurance, vet’s bills, food and kennel fees when we’re away on holiday but they’re not paying any attention.
I’m a nurse and work 12 hour shifts three times a week so although it would be ok for me to look after a dog on the days I’m not working, on the other days they’d have to take turns at coming home from school at lunchtime and it worries me as I’m not sure that they would.
We already have a cat and although they all say they love it none of them have ever fed it, washed its bowl or even groomed it so I think all of the work of looking after a dog would end up being done by me.
Answer:
If you are prepared to consider it then your family should be prepared to prove that they can keep their promises, but this is not a short term exercise.
Write down the expected outlay for a year – can you afford it financially first of all and what would they be prepared to give up for good to make sure that you do? Also note the time spent training and exercising a cute puppy and detail what their duties would actually be on a weekly basis.
Start a rota to care for the cat and let them get on with it, but don’t agree to too short a trial period – you should be looking at 3 or 6 months here, if not longer. If they’re that keen they’ll come up with the goods and stick with it.
A dog’s care is actually quite different and more time consuming than a cat’s, so try a couple of other ways to see how they would deal with that.
Firstly, if you have a friend with a dog and you could bear the responsibility ask if you can look after it next time they’re on holiday and give it totally into your family’s care, resisting any temptation to let them off the hook especially when it comes to clearing up after it.
Similarly, if there any pet rescue shelters nearby get your husband and kids to sign-up as volunteers doing regular walking, grooming and caring for the animals.
If they manage to do all that properly then you might have to give in. Dogs make wonderful pets and can be a great addition to a family especially if everyone else is doing the chores and you just get to enjoy the benefits.
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