ok, just to show that i have actually thought A LOT about getting a dog, these are the things i am aware of, that people have mentioned will be problems: i know they shed. especially short hair labs. they shed a lot. i can deal with hair, i have two cats. i realize this is like having a whole mess of cats... but it's still not enough of a deterrant for me :) i also know that they are expensive. in addition to the upfront cost of getting the dog, i will have to have her spayed, and have her shots taken care of... all of which cost probably around 200-300 dollars. then the annual vet visit and heartworm medication costs... i realize i have to take those into consideration. then there's the food bill, the toys/treats/necessities bill... which i am carefully planning and collecting slowly... and i averaged out to be around 600 for the first year (that's not including the vet visit). So yes, owning a dog is costly. But looking at my monthly budget... it looks like I can still comfortably afford it, and I have until next spring to make sure. Plenty of time to decide. I also know I have to train the puppy, which takes A LOT of time, especially in the beginning. That's where puppy kindergarten comes in... which I have found classes nearby... and I have also found where all the dog parks are, to take puppy to socialize and play with other dogs :) I went once with my friend Adam and his dog... and we had a blast. :) And last, I realize that having a dog is like having a kid. Wherever I go, dog needs to go. Unless it's a quick trip to the store... in which case puppy stays in her cage. But should I need to travel somewhere that dogs are not welcome, usually vet offices offer to board your animal for short periods of time. It would be a last resort... but I am aware that I get to bring her wherever I go. :) So I am still weighing all of these into consideration before I make the final decision to get a dog... but i've been thinking about it for a while. I won't run off and get a dog tomorrow... or even in a couple months. i'm all about planning... :)

posted at 4:51 PM ~ comments (0)

ok, i need to clarify. when i say "getting a dog" i mean i'm getting a yellow lab. i've always wanted one... and i decided that was my favorite. my neighbor had one growing up, and she was the best! and when i say "moving to a new place that will let me have one" i mean moving to a duplex or house rental... that has a yard. i am well aware that apartments normally don't allow dogs over a certain weight... hence why i need to move first. there are actually quite a few places to rent that are fairly inexpensive... not much more than my apartment right now. and i do want a puppy... although i work mon-fri 7-4, i have time during the day to go let her out, and i also have all my time after work (of which i now just come home and watch tv) and all weekend to spend playing/training. it gives me a great excuse to go walking around town, to parks, and i even get to go to puppy class! how fun is that? :)

posted at 4:05 PM ~ comments (0)

i want a dog. but i can't afford one, and i live in an apartment on the third floor. so, i decided. i'm going to look for a place i can live that will allow me to have room for a dog, and is cheap enough that i can afford it. but i won't move until my lease is up, at the earliest. and that's not til way into next march. so that gives me plenty of time to think about it, and make sure that i'm ready to get one. i figured spring is the best time to get a puppy... because then i have good weather for the rest of the spring and summer to be able to train her, and to be able to take her outside when puppy excitement gets the best of her :) i know that puppy hyperness lasts for at least the first two years... but i'm at a point in my life where i don't have anything going on, that i wouldn't have time for a dog. by then, i'm sure i won't be making bi-monthly trips to michigan... so things will have settled down. but i'm still thinking about it... it's a big responsibility... even more so since i've never had a dog. growing up, we had them until i was about four or five. so i obviously don't remember them very well. but i have a lot of resources and people who own dogs at my disposal... who have flooded me with advice :) i grew up around them... my best friend always had 4 dogs at one time... with litters every year or so. i've always planned on having a dog someday. and dammit, i'm lonely! my cats are great... but they can't come running with me to the park, and they aren't as fun to play with frisbees with. :) so right now, it pretty much depends on my finances, and if i can find a decent place to live. so look out by next spring! i may have a puppy!! keep flooding me with advice... or try and talk me out of it. i don't want to get a dog i'm not ready for...

posted at 8:30 AM ~ comments (0)