Sunday, February 17, 2008

a dog for a day

Troy and I have both agreed...NO PETS!

We don't like the idea of potty training an animal, we don't like hair on carpet or furniture, we don't like slobber or the smell of our hands after we pet a stinky animal, and basically, we just don't want the extra responsibility.

UNTIL...jack came along. We have become softies. When Jack sees a dog, the excitement in his eyes is enough to make me want to buy him a pony, giraffe, elephant...anything he wants!

The other night, a stray dog followed us into our house. It was so scrawny, malnourished and sad looking that I couldn't help but take pity on the poor thing. We allowed her in, gave her some warm milk (is that what you give a dog?), and even made a bed for her in the garage, not having the heart to put her back outside. I couldn't wait for the morning so that I could present Jack with the biggest surprise of his life.

As expected, Jack just beamed with happiness as soon as he saw our new dog. So much happiness and so much beaming that I actually thought for a second, "should we keep her?"



All morning we played with her. The joy was bursting from the walls of our home. Then, the first red flag rose. Our joyous new canine was apparently menstruating. Yes, you heard me...on her "cycle". I guess I never chose to think about female dogs having a cycle, but they do. The proof was spotted on our carpet.

So, I took the dog outside. Then things really started to crumble. Jack melted down with the loss of his new friend. He sat at the window crying. Finally, I succumbed to bringing the dog back in the house for some more milk. I didn't know it would cause more meltdowns.

Jack wanted to do WHATEVER the dog was doing. When the dog was lapping up milk from the bowl, Jack wanted to do the same. When I told him, "No...Yucky" he just burst into the most pathetic tears I've ever seen.





Finally, the peace was restored when I gave Jack his own bowl of milk. Go doggy, go.




After a day of emotions, we were back to square one. We are not fit to be parents of a dog AND a child. So I called the animal shelter and by the end of the day she was gone. It was fun while it lasted, sad when it was over, but we are more emotionally stable and not needing a carpet cleaner!

26 comments:

Wilson Family said...

Ali, that is so cute of Jack licking out of the bowl, I had a dog growing up my whole life, but I decided that having a kid and a dog would be too hard, and I don't think I will ever do it either

Berta said...

That is hysterical! Do it, do it - animals are the greatest additional to any family . . . actually, only if you love it back! Love to drop by and see how you're doing.

Anonymous said...

Troy Degraff (and his respective spouse), this is Mike Carruth. I came across your blog from a friends. Its been a while and it seems you are doing pretty well. Drop me a line, my email is mcarruth@gmail.com or my wife's blog is ruthygirls@blogspot.com.

ali said...

berta...are you in town? come see us!

merideth said...

ali that is too hilarious!!!
well i have a dog and it has its ups and downs. everything i am going through right now that i wasn't going through when we got her definatley is making it hard to have her.
oh but jack with that dog. that was hilarious!!!
maybe you can get a robot dog.

Marie said...

Isn't it fun to pretend to be a dog owner for a day? I bet that poor dog ran out of it's own backyard (our house) to look for the father of her future puppies. Poor dog, you spoiled all her fun and now she sure won't be making babies in the shelter. Poor, poor dog.

Chantel said...

Oh Ali I so side with you and Troy. Watching your kids get excited about a pet is priceless until there's a mess to clean up and then it just sucks. Have you tried a beta fish? Crew loves his. They're colorful, easy maintenance and only $3 so when they kick the can you don't feel too much remorse when you have to flush them down the toilet! :)

Blackburns said...

Steve and I argue about pets too. I say no way and he says yes. We went to Steve's parents house and Sienna saw their dog. She fell in love and was crawling all over the place trying to catch him. My heart started to melt, but once we got home my good senses came back.

Anonymous said...

Yeah I am back and forth on the whole dog thing too!
We have our dog that we bought and house trained before Carmen. There are upsides and downsides.
The kids LOVE them, and my favorite thing is that he is my own personal roomba vac. I am pretty sure we are the only house that has a toddler and NO crumbs on the floor anywhere.
But they are a pain when you have to travel, and the whole messes thing.
If you get one... get one that is older and already house trained,
and get a doggy door, it's the best purchase I've ever made.

Celia said...

As a pet owner, I can say that it has its ups and downs. We got our little mutt before the kids came along and I'd have to say that I hope he never dies because I do NOT want to house train a dog with small children. I've got enough problems.

Jack's pictures are hilarious. And I love that there are other moms like me who relish in taking pictures of them during those soul-torturing moments.

sheena said...

Super cute photos, but I still can't get over that she "menstruated" on your carpet.

Emily P. said...

Those pictures of Jack are HILARIOUS! How sweet that he wanted to be like his puppy. As a pet owner my whole life I have to say it is a great way to teach kids about responsibility, caring for another creature and sadly also the circle of life. But don't to it before you're ready or you will be miserable.

melissa ellen parker said...

You've officially made my day. Those pictures of Jack are the most adorable pictures I have ever seen. I don't want the little guy to cry - but man oh man. Maybe once the baby comes you can reevaluate your position on pets. I completely understand though. I'm not big on owning my own pets - even though I love animals. Theres a lot of change (i'm sure) to come with the baby. Maybe Lucy can be Jack's pet for a while. That sounds bad, but you know what I mean :)

Oler Family said...

That is so funny that you just let the dog in your house and even funnier that you thought about keeping it! The things we do for our kids!!! I can't believe how much hair Jack has! He is super cute, even when he's crying!!

UreFam said...

That is the saddest dog I've ever seen! You really have gone soft if you actually thought of keeping that one. How cute is your boy though. Kids make everything sound rational.

The Steenhoek Clan said...

Funny milk in the bowl pics...no pets in our family either...sorry kids!

HeatherM said...

Ok that made my morning the funniest thing ever!! What is sad to me about your day, (being a dog lover) is that poor dog is so ugly! Jack is still cute as ever & so tall. Jack can get is animal fix at our house. I already told Jesse Mak is getting a dog for her 5th b-day. Thanks for sharing

heidi said...

those are the greatest shots of Jack crying by the milk bowl. dog? it would have to be an outside one for sure...and we'll see if that ever happens!

rockkinrobbins said...

That is hilarious!!

Leilani said...

I swear that last picture looks just like Brody. I think I have the same picture of him at that age.

Lindi said...

Those pictures of Jack are priceless!! Get Lucy here first and then worry about a dog!!!

Amy said...

You know how I feel about dogs...

I loved these pictures. I was practically peeing my pants because they were so funny!

Bring Jack over here and he can get his dog fix in. Since I've got two, you can borrow one sometime!

Angel said...

We LOVE our dogs. And just a side note - spayed dogs don't go into heat!

sheena jibson said...

are you having a baby?

Anonymous said...

Ali....have you had that baby yet? Only 11 days to go, how super exciting! Best wishes and pushes to you! Cant wait to see pics of this little girl.
Oh, and cutest pics of Jack and the pupp. I can totally understand why you wouldnt want a pupp now, but dont completely rule it out of your your lifes. Animals bring so much happiness into kids lifes, but not until your completely ready to devote a lot of love and attention.
hope your fam is well.
luv yur'cuzn', whitney

Troy said...

No baby yet. The last fix on our computer didn't really fix anything so we took it back in. We'll keep you posted on the baby situation.

Troy