I don't want another dog. I don't want another dog. I don't want . . . .
We have a dog. A shi tzu who is 14 years old, deaf and blind. We love her, but once she's gone, our plans are to gut the house and start over.
Our granddaughters are about to ruin everything.
Every time they come over, they want me to take them to the pet store near their house. So we go visit the cute little—you guessed it—dogs. My cold heart is thawing, and hear me now, I don’t want it to thaw!!!
Okay, so yesterday, I see this Toy Chihuahua. I don’t like Chihuahuas. But Maggie had one—Crusher—in my first book with WestBow, Hot Flashes & Cold Cream, remember? You do remember, right? You read the book?
Anyway, I feel a certain bond with that dog. And “Crusher” was giving me the look. You know the one. Where the eyebrows lift in forlorn wonder, eyes droop and the face says, “I would never in a million years think of doing anything on your carpet. Take me home. I’ll prove it.”
But hello? I'm no Paris Hilton, and my purse is too small to tote around even a tiny dog. I must resist! But how? Maybe I should get one of those fake dogs that merely sleeps in a bed and breathes. They sell them at Cracker Barrel.
Help! I need suggestions.
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Colleen Coble writes romantic suspense with a strong atmospheric element. A lovable animal of some kind--usually a dog--always populates her novels. She can be bribed with DeBrand mocha truffles.
Denise Hunter writes women's fiction and love stories with a strong emotional element. Her husband says he provides her with all her romantic material, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too.
Diann Hunt writes romantic comedy and humorous women's fiction. She has been happily married forever, loves her family, chocolate, her friends, chocolate, her dog, and well, chocolate.
Cheryl Hodde writes romantic medical suspense under the pen name of Hannah Alexander, using all the input she can get from her husband, Mel, for the medical expertise. For fun she hikes and reads. Out of guilt, she rescues discarded cats. She and Mel are presently taking orders from four pampered strays.
27 Comments:
Listen closely. Stop taking those granddaughters to the pet store. Cease and desist. Even when they beg. Force Jim into it if he's stronger than you. It's for the good of all of you.
Oh it's not safe to go to the pet store! When the girls ask, come up with an alternative.
Remember, you're a famous author now. You travel too much to want to figure out what to do with the dog. Besides, the girls already HAVE a dog. Why are they wanting to go to the pet store?
Oh I know what to do! Tell yourself if you get a dog, it will only be one from the shelter. That way you'll only give a dog a home that NEEDS one. Those puppies will get a home no matter what.
Then never go to the shelter. LOL
I wish i could help you but I have realized that some weird phenomenon happens when parents become grandparents.
When normally strong, capable parent's become grandparents, it's like they become a soft pile of broken rules and non-stop candy.
I am still trying to figure it out, but I am beginning to think it's like marriage...you just don't really understand it until your in it.
However, my niece just got a Webkins. Their website is webkins (dot) com . You buy a plush toy "pet" that comes with a code and then you feed it online and take care of it through the internet.
Denise and Colleen, I know you're right. I'll call you the next time the girls are over, so you can talk me out of it. *g*
--they become a soft pile of broken rules and non-stop candy--
Kellie, that just cracked me up! It's sooooo true!!! We are a soft pile of broke rules and non-stop candy machine. Sigh. It's like we need a sign saying, "Warning, warning, grandparents approaching!" LOL!
Yeah, I didn't want a dog either but while we were vacationing last week in southwestern Missouri a chocolate lab mix puppy found us and adopted us so we brought her home. Zoey is now (after only 4 days) a full fledged member of the family. *deep sigh*
At least she's cute.
We had a Chinese Pug, it snorted constantly while awake and snored louder than my husband when asleep. It vomited every time it ate anything off the floor that was not dog food, (I have 4 kids, there was often people food on the floor) and it rubbed its bottom on my carpet despite our well spent dog grooming\veterinary dollars.
This dog is now happily living elsewhere, with other people.
Borrow a Chinese pug for a day. They will ruin you forever on dogs.
It is quite possible I will never own another dog unless I get some dog aversion therapy! :o)
Suzanne made me waver, but Tricia slapped me to my senses.
Keep 'em coming, girls. I may be talked out of this yet!
Sorry, can't help you at all.
I want, I want, I want a sheltie or some other sweet adorable dog....but my landlords told me no pets when I moved in.
*sigh*
I absolutely ADORE Crusher! But I'm with you on not wanting a dog...so here's what you do...
Get a grand-dog...one for the grandkids...that way you can spoil it, pet it, and then SEND IT HOME!!
Two words for you, Diann, puppy breath. There's not a sweeter swell in the world. And how can you resist that little thing that cuddles in your arms? That's how I ended up with my puppy. One look and it was over.
Of course now he's 50+ pounds and I can't pick him up anymore. He also needs a lot of exercise and attention and follows me all over the house. I don't have any privacy anymore, not even in the bathroom. The doors, just the bathroom ones, need to be rehung thanks to the earthquake last year and stick (my dad isn't the handy husband type). The puppy managed to figure out how to open the doors. So, just keep that in mind. LOL
Of course thanks to him I've actually made some new friends at the dog park and gotten an idea for a new book. You never know what may spark. :)
If you absolutely have to get a dog take it and give it to the girls. I'm sure your daughter or daughter-in-law will thank you for the added infant.
Okay, girls, you're going to have to try harder than this. You're making want to go out and buy the doggone dog! *g*
By the way, our granddaughters have a dog, so that won't help. And yes, it's a fun dog and we've bonded and all that, but well, it's not the same.
See what I mean? I'm scaring myself! Next thing I know I'll be buying doggie clothes.
I lost my shihtzu a year and a half ago. Miss her still. Would love to have another puppy to love and snuggle with but I have two other dogs and two cats. Not to mention my son's beta fish. My barnyard, er house, is full! But I would love to have another. Someday...
Sorry I'm just no help when it comes to little furry critters.
RUN AWAY FROM THE STORE!!!!! When our last dog died, I said no more. But husband and son finally talked me into it.
What did I end up with? A HORSE of a dog! A mastiff, for heaven's sake! The dog is bigger than me! And drool? Just ask Angie Hunt. She has 2 of them. I'm beginning to question her sanity.
Heck, I'm questioning my OWN!!!
Be strong, Di. Be very strong. Think of another 14 years of dog poop, of drool and wet floors. Of yapping and barking. Of smelly dog breath.
Sigh.
Ohhhh we have been down THIS road!
Think stained floors, digging in the yard, flea remedies, vet visits, fur on the furniture, pooper scooper...you and I know the list goes on and on.
Now, if you were not serious...Think Lassie, Don't Eat the Daisies, Old Yeller, English country style with a dog by the hearth...
I'll check back!
Amy
If the dog is so small it could get sat on or something awful.
And in the winter He/She could keep getting colds.
Keep Denise and Colleen on the speed dial. ;)
Great suggestions, Ane, Natalie and Anna Marie! Especially the keeping Denise and Colleen on speed dial thing! LOL!
Well, the thing that cinched it for me? Our dog had an "accident" on the kitchen floor last night. That's something she NEVER does. It was timely. Looks like the chihuahua will be going to someone else's home.
Visit Petfinder.com. Then you can find a dog that needs to be rescued (rather than buying from a pet store). Plus this way you can find one that is already housebroken. My family and I have adopted two dogs so far from this site (which lists the dogs and cats of many shelters), and we couldn't be happier.
Now aren't I a big help?
I love dogs (have two!) but PLEASE don't buy one from a pet store! If you are going to buy, buy from a reputable breeder (can find one at akc.org) or a resuce organization (try luckystarcavalierrescue.org).
Puppies sold at pet stores come from puppy mills - horribly places where dogs are mistreated just so the "breeders" can make money off the pups. I adopted a 16-month-old rescue who came from a mill and it nearly broke my heart. After eight months with us, Taylor is a normal, well-adjusted dog (even has his Rally Novice obedience title).
Repeat after me: don't support puppy mills. Don't buy from pet stores.
God bless!
Hair everywhere. You won't be able to leave the house without looking like a "before" picture in a lint roller advertisement.
Smell. Your house, car, clothes and everything else will smell like a DOG.
Upkeep. Buying things for it. Cleaning poop. Feeding constantly. Letting it outside, walking it, having it wake you up before you're ready.
It's just not worth it.
Girl, you need a hobby! One where you can't take a dog! I would love to have a big ol' gorgeous Boxer, but I can't take another thing to take care of. Maybe I should airmail you some of my laundry. You won't have time to think about a dog.
Actually, borrow some of Amber's laundry. She's got four kids and a baby. That will keep you too busy to take the girls to the pet store.
Diann I just finished Be Sweet. I just wanted to let you know that I lovved it. :)
Brittanie, I'm so excited you've already read Be Sweet!!! Thanks for letting me know. Glad you liked it! :-)
Nancy Originally from Lafayette, IN...now from TN.
Hey Diann...
We rescued an adorable 6 pound Chihuahua from a no kill shelter. She had been terribly mistreated. After alot of TLC she is happy and healthy and she has us both wrapped around her little paw. She now is a therapy dog. She goes to see my hospice patients with me, and they love her...so do the granddaughters!! Tim says she is better behaved then the boys. Gotta love dogs!!
Step. Away. From. The. PetShop!
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