Puppy Love
I thought Erik was finally starting to accept the fact that we’re having a baby instead of a puppy, but maybe not. He was in the back seat, babbling away. I try not to listen because he talks 24/7 and it starts to hurt my brain after awhile, but if I don’t respond I get shouts of “Excuse me! Excuse me! Excuse me!” until I grunt.
So he’s back on the puppy idea. Or, if we’re really lucky, I might be growing a crocodile in my tummy! I feel like a crocodile, but I hope to hell I don’t give birth to one! I am such a grouch lately.
I explained that we don’t have a place for a dog to live, but he has all kinds of ideas. The best idea was to call our friend Julie in Ohio and ask her to send “those things her dogs had on their necks that make them not runaway.” I didn’t even know he noticed the invisible fence collars. Apparently he has been planning this dog acquisition for quite a while.
I feel almost guilty for saying no to a dog. I know he would enjoy having a playful companion, but I know a dog would make me even grouchier than I am now. I don’t enjoy cleaning up doggy bodily fluids, dog fur, and chewed up dog messes. If we ever do get a dog it won’t be a puppy. I would go for an already trained rescue dog, but that doesn’t mean the dog would never have an accident in the house. And what if it was a yippy dog? I can’t stand a yippy dog. And I don’t want to clean up dog shit from my backyard. And I don’t want to smell dog breath. And I don’t want to have to deal with spilled dog food and dog water all over wherever it is we would set up a dog food station.
I’m just a big ol’ curmudgeon. I am sad that I am denying him something he wants so much–something we very well could provide if I wasn’t so lazy. But I’m not insane. I know a dog would just make me grouchy. We don’t have that much room, but most small dogs aren’t that great with kids.
No dog. No dog. I’m not a bad mommy. No dog. It sounds like I’m going to crack, doesn’t it? This is why I need a visit to Oregon. One day with the three dogs and my resolve will be solid.
Antropologa said,
December 18, 2009 @ 11:34 am
I get MOMMY I’M TALKING TO YOU MOMMY I’M TALKING TO YOU if I don’t respond fast enough.
I don’t recommend a dog and a newborn.
shannon said,
December 18, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
I have 4 boys who have all asked for a dog. and I have a mother who thinks all boys should have a dog. I tell her to let them use hers when they visit. The truth is one more living thing in this house and I might crack. You gotta love dogs to own one – since reality is you, the parent, will ultimately end up with some responsibility for the dog. even if the kids feed it, walk it, scoop the poop, etc. – you get to remind them,. check up on them , etc…… no thanks. stand firm!