My daughter (also 17) nagged us endlessly to get a dog - my husband was in favour but I was against the idea, not because I don't love dogs but because I do! I knew that our lifestyle at the time wasn't condusive to owning a dog and that for her the novelty would soon wear off when the dog got in the way of her social life..........

Unlike your Mom, I relented and they got Tobey - cue instant change to my routine as I was the only one able to take time out of work to walk him when everyone else was "too busy". Don't get me wrong, I adore that little dog, so much so that we got Archie to keep him company and I wouldn't be without either of them.

Last night Katie walked them with me and spent the entire time moaning about how awful it is having dogs and had she known how much work was involved she would never have asked for one (laughable in itself as she very rarely does anything with them!). She hates the barking when people come round, the jumping up at her friends, some times she has to curtail her plans if my hubby and I are away at football because I insist that Tobey and Archie are not left home alone all day and generally life was easier (for her) without them..................

What I would say to you is please, please, please give it some serious thought - you take on any dog and it is a lifelong responsibility. You are at the age when the last thing you want is to have to be tied to a routine and that is exactly what will happen.

As much as I love my boys a small part of me wishes I had been like your Mom and stood my ground.......but then again, I always wanted a dog when I was your age but had to wait until I was in my own home and considerably older before I got my wish

P.S. I was going to post this in general as a rant because I was so cross with her yesterday but the minute I saw this thread I saw a way of putting it to a better use