to get a dog".
Just because I have 3 DC everyone I have mentioned it to looks at me like I'm insane or makes some comment along those lines. Two of the DCs are at school all day and my youngest is at nursery 3 days a week.
I have researched this thoroughly, spoken for hours to breeders about the correct way to go about the process of finding the right dog for us, I have owned dogs in the past so i know what's involved and I'm prepared to put the time and work in. I know what lies ahead, good and bad.
I just think it will ALSO be a wonderful, positive bonding experience for us as a family. Taking trips at the weekends when we would otherwise have sat around vegetating in the house, walking the dog (rain or shine) and just getting some exercise and fresh air, teaching the kids some responsibility and ownership although I know I'll probably end up doing most of it! Socialising with other dog owners and generally living life a bit more to the full.
My DH is totally on board and looking forward to it. Our older DCs are really excited about it, I'm SICK of people bringing me down about it!! 
Sorry, not sure what the point of that rant was, just needed to vent!
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Sick of people telling me "I must be mad....
UsedToBeAContender · 24/04/2012 11:35
haha my neighbour's mum has said that to me in a way. I have one DS and I'm about to get my 3rd dog.
She said I must be mad!!
I asked why? I work from home I have the space and time I'm not over run with children. My 2 dogs are well behaved well trained one is 2 and the other is nearly 6. I want another dog. Why would people not bat an eye at me having another child but seem to raise there eyebrows at me if I get another dog?? 
If I'd had a fiver for everyone who said to me, 'Ooh, dogs are a tie, you know', I'd have nearly had enough for a year's insurance. Funnily enough, many of those people then followed up with, 'So when are you going to get round to having kids?' 
Yes, you'll have to rearrange your daily routine a bit to fit in walks and so on, but the companionship and fun is worth so much more. Hope you find a lovely childhood friend for your DC and nightly footwarmer for you.
i get that all the time and have researched and read and asked advice from anyone who will listen. I get "but they are such a dreadful tie." Most of these comments from people who don't own dogs funnily enough! It has made my decision much more difficult because I am taking everyone elses doubts and insecurities on board! I agree, very frustrating
yes you must be mad but then so must I 
we have 4DC and have just got a dog 3 weeks ago. He is a rescue dog so has come to us grown and untrained but he loveable (even when he knocks the bin over and eats it), has a cute face and is great at getting my mental over energised children to run off all their energy
My eldest said she would pick up the poop well she did for 1 day then passed the job on to DS1, who promptly told DS2 it was his job and now it is unfortunately DD2 (only 5) job to do, but she does do it
Must say 3 weeks in even though it is chaos it is great chaos I think with any more than 2DCs you are used to the madness anyhow, always said extra children don't make a difference in our house so nor does a dog 
Oh that old line! I have one ds 9 who has SEN and we have just got our third dog!! Everyone like to tell me I am mad, not my dh, because obviously I am the driving force and my dh has no voice . They were a joint decision. We also have a range of other creatures!
We get a range of comments when out walking because we have a large black dog, one who wears a muzzle and now a shouty chihuahua!
We are clearly bonkers .
Utterly bonkers but in a good way!
We wouldn't be without our big hairy mutt. He arrived by accident, but has enriched our lives in many many ways. Dd(8) adores him, they are best friends and she tells him stuff before we get to hear things!
I think some people are killjoys who take life too seriously IMHO
Allergic - dog stays at home for shopping, but I can't take DH and DS to do anything other than food shopping, so that's not exactly a problem.
We can be out for 3.5 / 4 hrs and the dog sleeps happily. Now, we don't have to walk her first necessarily - but we always used to walk her first thing - perhaps only 30 / 40 mins and then again later - longer, with frisbee when she was younger. When I was looking after ds, prior to school, I could get the dog walked and DS to a class by 9.30am, do other things in the morning, back for lunch - nap for ds in buggy whilst another walk, then off to do something else with ds.
Usedtobe a dog is a really good excuse to get out and about - now she's an excuse because DS needs the exercise more than she does - in fact, he often reminds me of a labrador puppy when out and about . And I'm certain which is the better trained.
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