We have two cats, but one of them thinks she’s half-dog, and the other thinks she’s half-human. Combined they weigh 22 pounds, but in the middle of the night on a queen-size bed, they’re the size of four squirming, sprawling toddlers.

It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year! Hugs on the anniversary.

Next time I think I’ll take an adult dog that needs a home. One that someone else has already housebroken.

Alas, I have no pets. I do, however, have an 11-year old son, a 9-year old son, a 5-year old son and a 4-year old daughter. As much as my oldest and youngest carry on that they want a dog, I hold my ground and say no. I too have to deal with up all night, ruining things, boys going to the bathroom in the general area of the toilet. No, there will be no pets here until the children and husband are all housebroken and can manage to clean up after themselves.

Anyway, I have three dogs. A lab (Max), a blue heeler (Brewsky – I didn’t name him, he came with that name! ), and a rhodesian ridgeback (Harley). All distinct personalities and I can’t imagine not having them.

As for you giving in. . . well, those faces are so sweet but you’re right about the puppy phases of chewing, etc. If you want, I can send you pictures of my knawed on furniture if you think it would help. I never took a picture of the chair they totally obliterated with their chewing and I threw it out after a friend of mine gave me a bad time about it being in my living room (I kept it so the dogs wouldn’t start on another piece of furniture. . . just leave them the one they’ve started, right?).

But, in the end, I can’t imagine not having them so I guess all the fuss was worth it. Not an easy decision though. Good luck!

But I think it’s a bit like childbirth, after a while you don’t remember the pain of birth or the torture of colic and three am feedings, just the joy of holding that precious little baby. The chewing, the potty training,etc, it all fades and in time you just remember the darling, clumsy, snuggly little puppy.

I’ve got three dogs now. A mama, papa and baby havanese. Mama got sick when the little was two weeks old and I had to bottle feed and wash, and fuss after the three babies of the litter until they were weaned. That’s an awful lot of feeding and behind wiping and such — oh the things I had no idea about, lol. It was a basically sleepless fog, but all three are healthy happy crazy little things. Two live next door with my niece and nephews and harrass their two huge american bulldogs. I’ve got my darling baby Casey who’s 14 months old now and still acts like a tiny pup, plus busybody mama dog and the papa dog who is still slightly annoyed that this pesty puppy hasn’t gone away yet. lol.

Our cat Robin (Hood) lives to taunt the dogs and delights in football tackling the puppy, who thinks Robin is the greatest toy ever invented. They keep us entertained.