This weekend we went up to Duck Creek and stayed in a teeny, tiny l'il cabin.
In some ways, the trip was like a parent's dream. We roasted marshmallows and had s'mores by a camp fire. We watched Kung Fu Panda together. Took a long walk. Took another long walk. Took a hike.
But the cabin. So. Teeny. We were supposed to be there two nights but left after one because we were all so exhausted from sleeping in such a cramped space.
Our kids were not happy to leave because of the canine pictured below. This dog adopted us when we got to the cabin. The kids named him Nosy (after a guest character on Phineas and Ferb). He came to visit, bringing gifts to our door. Then the kids figured out he wanted them to throw this plastic bottle and it was friendship kismet. He never left our side.
Best moment - we were walking through this beautiful meadow watching deer (antelope?) and Nosy took off after them, barking like crazy. Even better? Our kids took off after Nosy. Tyler and I laughed and laughed.
I want my kids to have a dog so badly. Unfortunately, I also want me to not have a dog. For now, "me" is winning.
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| So teeny. So tiny. |
But the cabin. So. Teeny. We were supposed to be there two nights but left after one because we were all so exhausted from sleeping in such a cramped space.
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| Matthew, much like his father, seems to think a good picture is the enemy. |
Best moment - we were walking through this beautiful meadow watching deer (antelope?) and Nosy took off after them, barking like crazy. Even better? Our kids took off after Nosy. Tyler and I laughed and laughed.
I want my kids to have a dog so badly. Unfortunately, I also want me to not have a dog. For now, "me" is winning.
It's a lot easier for your first family dog to get an older dog, not a puppy. Get a dog that is already housebroken and socialized. After about 2 years, three at the most, dogs get over that difficult "adolescent" period and start acting more like an adult dog, meaning more calm, obedient, good with kids etc. Puppies are cuter but SO SO much more work, and there are plenty of great dogs at the pound. But you and Tyler should pick the dog, not the kids. They are liable to pick the rowdiest one, the one that seems the most fun at the pound but is the most work at home. Or the super cute little dog that never stops yapping and drives you crazy. If you bring home a dog as a surprise they will love it (and never even think about the other possibilities), and you will have made a better choice than they would have for finding a dog you can actually live with. Just some unsolicited advice, because you can never have too much of that
ReplyDeleteThis is great advice, I'll take it!
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