I live, write, and garden in the PNW with my husband of 28 years, disabled daughter, adult son, and my 84-year-old mother. We have paid off $250,000.00 worth of debt (if you include the interest) in the last fifteen years and as of 6/12/2020 are 100% DEBT FREE!!!!Would you buy a dog if you could not pay your phone bill? Seriously. I want to know. If you had your phone service shut off for failure to pay, because you could not afford to pay it, would you go out and buy a purebred puppy, with all the potty training supplies and food, vet bills, and toys that go with it?
Consider that you are 6 years out from a bankruptcy, that you will never be able to get a different job from the one you have now because no one really wants to hire a convicted felon in that particular crime, that you are upside down in not one but two car loans, and that you still have to pay child support on one or your 2 children from previous relationships (not marriages) for another 4 years and have 2 children at home with your spouse who have to use WIC and the food bank and food stamps and be in housing similar to habitat for humanity but not them because they also did not want to deal with a convicted felon in that particular crime.
Would this be considered an incredibly stupid thing to do by a normal human being? Or is this just me overreacting because I'm not a dog person? Or very tolerant of foolishness. Or of this family member (by marriage, not blood), in general.
Oh, I'll keep my mouth shut, I suppose, for the sake of family unity but I had to let my opinion out somewhere. I think its beyond ridiculous and beyond stupid. And after all these years, why am I still surpised by bone-head decisions?
Family Dynamics: Would you?
February 2nd, 2007 at 05:52 am
February 2nd, 2007 at 12:59 pm 1170421194
Perhaps, it's because, to a dog person, a dog is like children? And if so, then perhaps children are more important than money?
I don't know.
February 2nd, 2007 at 01:23 pm 1170422593
Just kidding. Obviously this individual has a history of making poor desicions.
February 2nd, 2007 at 01:25 pm 1170422711
February 2nd, 2007 at 02:21 pm 1170426088
February 2nd, 2007 at 02:40 pm 1170427225
as to the dog expense situation, the behavior is poorly thought out at best. there are plenty of free or lowcost dogs available in the paper and at the animal shelter that will love you and protect you just as well (if not better) than a designer name-brand dog. but, some people think they 'need' a designer dog the same way they 'need' a designer car instead of just a reliable non-descript vehicle. if you have the money availableto fuel such a decision, no problem. if you don't, then get your head screwed on straight and learn the difference between wants and needs.
February 2nd, 2007 at 02:43 pm 1170427403
February 2nd, 2007 at 02:58 pm 1170428330
I am really a dog person, but my dogs have been strays that were rescued, or pound puppies.
He is not likely to change his ways. When I was in South Texas, for a few months, I saw many poor people who had purebred dogs. They would pay hundreds for a dog that was a popular breed there. I think it is some kind of status symbol.
He is not likely to change, so don't waste your emotions stressing over his stupid behavior.
February 2nd, 2007 at 03:44 pm 1170431043
February 2nd, 2007 at 07:51 pm 1170445872
I feed them Purina Dog Chow and use coupons when I can find them, they are both on heartworm preventative pills, they do not go to the groomers, they do go to the vet yearly for their shots. Saying that, you will see they are pretty low maintenance BUT doing just that my monthly average on the two is $55. They are BIG girls and eat a lot!
They are part of my family but dogs are expensive. And if you have no money, they couldn't be cared for properly...whether they were a Mutt or a Purebred. Dogs, like people, can't live on just love.
February 2nd, 2007 at 09:19 pm 1170451164
And it sounds like they aren't going to get him fixed either because its too expensive. Of course, with a male dog running around they won't have to be the ones to worry about the puppies that may result. Irresponsible pet owners are one of my pet peeves.
February 3rd, 2007 at 03:54 am 1170474886
Yeah its dumb, it means that he has to buy unconditional love, but your response, I guess, depends on the dog. I'd laugh if it was a chihuahua; take up pistol marksmanship if its a pit bull. One things for certain, if he asks for money, you can always offer to take care of the dog.
February 3rd, 2007 at 06:06 am 1170482790
As for the puppy, its a Pug. Not worried about the dog being violent. It lays down with the cat at MIL's house when they bring it over. And the cat let's it after making sure he knows she's the boss.
February 3rd, 2007 at 04:08 pm 1170518923
Petfinders.com is where I found my precious little 1/2 jack russel, 1/2 fox terrier who is laying beside me right now and my constant companion. He gets Kirkland brand food and a few toys from the Dollar Store. I bathe him myself most of the time, but do take him to the groomers about quarterly for those other grooming issues I don't want to deal with.
February 4th, 2007 at 04:47 am 1170564442
Good luck!
February 5th, 2007 at 10:44 pm 1170715456
February 6th, 2007 at 09:29 pm 1170797369
February 8th, 2007 at 06:00 pm 1170957626