Help!

[DrKym]

Welcome to pet talk! and if it helps here is some advice from a MOM (22 foster kids and 3 kids of my own) I adore critters however! when any of my kids wanted a pet they had to show that they were responsible enough to handle it, my son Adrian is the dad to 4 abandoned feral kittens that he rescued on Easter day, till then he hadnt had a pet of his "own" and 4 starving scared 3 week old kittens was a challenge, he stated what he could do and what he needed from us and we agreed. He has used his allowance to pay for part of their vet care and has formed a relationship with his vet. He also (we have no idea how ) beat the odds and all 4 are alive today, I dont scoop litter and I dont feed them. I also dont have to remind him. So stepping up to the plate and truly proving your commitment helps.
Proud Granny to 4 great kitties

[Alysser]

I'm in your boat. I want another dog, and we have the money and the time BUT I don't think I am responsible enough to take in another dog. I do ALOT of work with Sassy but not everything and in order to have another dog I would be required to do everything, including, trimming nails,bathing,ect. I feed,walk,water,clean up poop,ect. for Sassy but as you can see there is much more to caring for a dog then just then. I *would* take another dog in a heartbeat if I were ready, but right now I still don't think I am responsible enough. So, if I did get another dog I would be punishing myself and I'm not ready. Once, I do everything for Sassy I will definatly consider it.

[PinkPaw]

Thanks so much! I have taken each of your advice! Today I did everything I needed to do for my dog. And when my mom asked me to do it I could say "I already did it." So much nicer. Maybe this will work! Ha Ha!

[DrKym]

Good Start! now just keep that up (it's good training for when you live on your own some day as there are no Poo fairies to help! lol wish there were laundry fairies tho ) Keep up the good effort !

[PinkPaw]

Ha Ha! But I havent even brought up the subject about getting a new dog to my parents... How do I do that. Like I dont want them to think that I am going to ingnore my dog Sadie for a new one. I would NEVER EVER do that!

[DrKym]

Spend some time just making Sadie your issue not theirs, walking brushing feeding etc. (yes poop scooping) then broach after a few weeks that you feel that 1 is easily handled and you are excelling at it that you would like them to consider a second one and that you will take care of it the same way you do Sadie. It always worked on us can't argue logic so we always caved

[BC_MoM]

Just one thing that sometimes sucks:

Mickey loved being with other dogs, too.. but when Molly arrived (my second dog) his nose was out of joint for a months. And it still is several days a week sometimes.

Can you say selfish? lol =\

[DrKym]

BC very good point, very good. Pink you may want to think about "sitting for a dog" that Sadie knows and see if she likes sharing everything besides playtime?

[PinkPaw]

OMG! You guys have such good advice. I will try that!

[DrKym]

Well BC is a pretty smart teenager and very wise!

[PinkPaw]

Ha Ha!

[PinkPaw]

Any other ideas?

[GreyhoundGirl]

OMG i can't belive what a coincidence this is, i found PT while looking for information about getting 2nd dogs- everything about your first message matched my situation. I've been trying for over a year, just keep trying and your parents might see how dedicated you are to it.

Hopefully your parents aren't as stubborn as mine. My mom keeps saying
" What's wrong with HER!? " and " Why isn't she good enough for you anymore?! "

Good Luck!

[Flatcoatluver]

When I was 13, I was kinda in the same boat. We had T.j but he was my dad's dog. I wanted to show a dog, and T.j never really bonded with me like my he bonded with my dad(my dad also didn't want me to show him). It was really upsetting. T.j was more like a one person dog before we got a second dog. Seeing I was really upset and a natural dog lover. My parents let me buy Zoey. I naturally did all of the grooming (bathing, clipping nails and hair), picking up poop, and vacuming. After we got Zoey, T.j became more open and not a one person dog. I wish I could have adopted, but I wanted to get really heavy and showing. So it was a lot of money for me to pay for the price of the puppy, vet care and all of the supplies. So yes I agree adopting will be a lot cheaper and if I do say so myself, the dogs that come from shelters are one of the best dogs.

[PinkPaw]

Thanks alot guys! It sounds like I really can do this! Ha Ha!