Originally posted by Denyce

I see this more and more with young people these days. They are just given whatever they want without having to work for it. My parents would never have just given me at the age of 13 a dog as expensive as Ozzie must have been. When I say I bought my first horse at the age of 14 I meant exactly that. I BOUGHT HIM. With money I had been saving since the age of FIVE!. I saved every penny of my birthday, holiday etc money. when I was old enough to babysit that went into the bank account also until I had enough. The whole time my father was telling me I couldn't have a horse because he was afraid of them. When I was 14 he realized I wasn't giving up and that I had the MATURITY AND RESPONSIBILTY to be able to take care of a horse properly.

I just wanted to comment...

We got my first dog, Simba, when I was 10 or 11 years old. He was 8 months old at the time, and is now 6 years old. We got him at the SPCA, which I believe at the time they were so full they were having some sort of deal $15 dollars for dogs. The first day we brought him home, I thought we were going to have to take him back. No, not because I wanted to relax. No, not because I had sports or other things to do. He bit my mom twice. Twice in the first day we had him. I cried and cried with him on our back deck, just thinking as I got the dream of my life, he was going to have to go away. He was extremely aggressive toward new people. He'd growl at my brother and sister if they tried touching him, and my mom would walk the other way because she was afraid of him. We worked with him for months, and for years now. He still isn't completely sure of new people or new dogs, but he's alot better than he used to be. He has his days where he just wants to be left alone, but then there's days when he's completely fine with tons of company.

Then, along came Nala, last year.The 8 week old pup. She pee'd, she tore up things (we had to replace the carpet in 2 rooms because of her), she was a handful and still is. She gets hyper out of nowhere, where she just wants to play play play and won't take no for an answer. She especially likes 1-2oclock in the morning. I think those are her favorite times to run around the house like an insane dog.

I had to work for the both of them. No, I didn't have to pay for them, but I had to prove myself to my parents. I had to show them I was able to take care of a dog. I watched the neighbors dogs, walked them, stopped after school everyday to feed one of them, bathe them. Then before we got Nala, I watched after BluStang24's dog, Honey, alot. she was a puppy, so I figured it'd prove to my father that yes, I could take care of Simba and a puppy... That and i just love honey to death as if she were my own dog.
Almost every cent of the money I do earn, from whatever it may be, goes to buying them toys, treats, or anything else I want to buy them.

I wouldn't trade either of them for a moment of relaxation. To me, relaxing is having them lying with me, playing with them, taking them places. They're like children to me.
Our lawn is a disaster because of them. They wake me up, when i'd rather sleep, because they have to go out. They get baths weekly. They're alot of work, and sometimes stress.. but in my opinion everything pays off when they're laying beside you at night. The laughs, the antics, everything about them makes me smile. My world revolves around them basically.


Just now, my mother asked me if I wanted to go watch a Ski Show. I was thinking " Yeah, sure, i'd love to go... take pictures or something." My first question was, "Are you allowed to bring dogs?" She said no, so I said no. I barely ever go anywhere without them.