Kids ask us dads for all sorts of things; a trampoline, candy (oh the candy), stay up late, watch a movie, play on the ipad, and a pet. Everyday my two oldest kids are asking for their very own pet laced with a ton of ‘pretty pleases’. We always respond with,
When you kids are 10 years old, we’ll get you a pet.
Well, we broke that rule.
We Got A Dog
Our neighbor found a dog that didn’t have a home. She took it to get it scanned for a chip and posted fliers but couldn’t find the owner. She asked us if we wanted the dog. After some wife-husband debates we welcomed the pup to our home. Now, you have to know that my wife and I are impulsive people. And while we told our kids no for so long, in a lot of ways our inner child came out and wanted this dog more than them.
The Backstory
Rewind a couple months during all the requests from our kids for a pet. I never wanted to get a pet. No dogs, no cats, no hamsters, no living thing that can’t one day graduate college and contribute to society. I was a total shmuck when it came to the pet discussions. However, if we were going to get an animal it was going to be a siberian husky. Any guy knows that if you’re going to get a dog, you may just need that canine to drag you across the frozen tundra one day at the drop of a hat.
If you’re a dad reading this and have never wanted a siberian husky, check your pulse. You might be dead.
I had a dog when I was 14 and I was the only one who took care of it. Then one day my parents said it was time to take the dog back to the pound because we couldn’t take care of it anymore. We only had him for a couple months and it absolutely broke my heart. I had my hesitation in getting a dog.
Someone Get Me a Pooper Scooper
Cannon, our dog, was welcomed by our family with open arms. He’s well behaved and totally potty trained. BONUS! He even honeymooned me with pooping in the farthest corner of our yard where there is dirt. I’m thinking, ‘holy smokes! This dog is amazing! He totally poops way over there where I don’t have to clean up after him! #wonderdog’.
Granted he doesn’t do that anymore, but it sealed the deal and we enjoy him. We give the kids the opportunity PRIVILEGE to clean up the poop in the yard. It’s been good for the kids and I like them taking on responsibility. I’m also OCD about my lawn being green and gorgeous 365 days a year so I stay on my kids pretty hard on the poop duty. I haven’t quite figured out how to balance the grass with the poo-utrients. Comment below if you have tips and I’ll give you a massive shout out in my next post.
Having a Dog in Our Family Makes Us Better
Here’s a list of things I’ve noticed different in our family since we got Cannon. Oh, and if you didn’t notice my last name is Buchanan, so naming our dog Cannon Buchanan is basically the most epic name ever.
- My middle son has really come out of a funk recently by having the dog around. Being the middle child is the worst. I’d know because I was the youngest in my family and saw my middle child brother really hate it.
- We’re more active as a family. Having a little pup keeps a family on their toes. We’ve done more walks, more hikes, and more runs then we have previously.
- Our morning routine has changed for the better. We get up and get going. No laying in bed playing Angry Birds. When the dog is up, the day starts. Period.
- We’re more consistent in our parenting. This may sound odd but a dog brings structure to a family. I’ve struggled personally disciplining my kids and staying consistent, for some odd reason having a dog in the home has helped me overcome this.
So there you have it. Get a dog and all your parenting problems will disappear.
Also – I posted this photo below on my personal facebook page and it got 36 likes! So if facebook likes are what you’re after, definitely get a dog and update your facebook with photos of your pup. You’ll be popular with all your college buddies and previous co-workers.
I’m kidding (not about the facebook likes, I really did get 36 likes). Get a dog because they are great for your family and you’ll be giving a pup a good home.
So what’s it gonna be dad, are you going to get a dog or what? Pretty please?
Hey cute dog there Adam! But what happened to the Husky? Too big a commitment for the kids’ first pet?
I grew up with dogs, as did my husband. There was never any question that our kids (ended up with 4 daughters) would be age-appropriate pet owners. From hamsters to fostering abused dogs…we have done it all. We now have a small rescue mutt, an expensive AKC dog, and my 16 yo just got a puppy for her birthday. It can be hard, but we do make her take on most of the responsibility for her. Teaches kids great things – responsibility, compassion, empathy, and problem solving. So glad to see a family not unwilling to give a part of their life to a dog. The reward is so worth it.