How much is that Doggy in the window?

Lately, Murphy has been missing our cat, Annie.  She died two years ago next month.  I'm surprised he remembers her, much less misses her.

In the past couple of weeks he's been talking about her a lot at random times.  And last night he woke up crying about her.  He said (through sobs) that he didn't even get to say good-bye.

Okay, mental note here folks - so this is what the experts mean when they say to be honest with kids.  We should have handled Annie's death differently.  We should have told him that she was going to die.  But, we were trying to protect him.  We thought we were making the best decision at the time.  I guess this proves that honesty might actually hurt less in the long run.

Then he said (through harder guilt-ridden sobs) that he couldn't remember what she looked like.  Oh, my.  Just go break my heart, will ya?  Then he told us that he cried about her during class a few days ago.  Geez.  What is going on????

We comforted him.  Told him it was okay.  And we told him that in the morning we'd show him some pictures of Annie and that he would feel better.  Then, the next thing I know, I said, "Murphy, would you like to get a dog one day?"

Oops.

The LAST thing we need is a pet.  But, I was raised with pets.  I had guinea pigs, gerbils, fish, a rabbit, and we always had a dog.  Hugo was our first family dog (that I remember).  He was a Shih Tzu and he was a great dog.  Our house was never without a dog.

And as soon as I moved out of my parent's house, I went and got Annie (1992).  My first cat.  A year later, I got Wendy.

Murphy with Wendy shortly before she passed (Oct. 2006).

Sadly, Wendy died while Harlie was still in the hospital after her birth.  Wow, that was a really shitty couple of months!

Anyway, my point is that I never thought my home would be without a pet.  And it was never my intention to raise children without a pet.

But, here we are with our hands more than full. And no pet.  And no plans to ever get one.  And with a six-year old who would love to have one.  And, personally, I think he would be quite responsible with one, too.

So, now I have thoughts of a puppy.  Which is crazy for so many reasons.  And here they are:

1.  Harlie is irrationally afraid of dogs.  Even puppies!  Like this one...

This is a friend's puppy.  He didn't bark and he was never put on the floor.  He didn't squirm or fidget in any way.  I don't know that you could find a less-threatening creature.  Now I ask you - what's so frightening about him?  Why is she like this?  She will get excited when she sees a dog - and point and then sign "dog" like she wants to see it, but then totally FREAKS OUT if it comes near her.  Grr!

But then a part of me says that we can't let her stay this afraid forever.  And I'm sure that it would just take a little time for her to get used to a cute, little puppy running around.  I'm sure she would see everyone else loving him or her and then she would want to, too, right?

2.  We have no money in our "budget" (ha!) for a dog.  There's food, toys, shots, pills and vet bills.  Ugh.

But, can you put a price on your children's happiness?  I mean really.  I have such great memories of having a loving dog while growing up.  Okay, so not all memories are great.  There was this one time when I was older and we had a German Sheperd.  I was walking her on a leash, and she saw a squirrel.  She took off and I didn't let go.  She drug me through an entire front yard before she stopped.  I was MAD!  I came home, dirty and beaten and screamed that I would NEVER walk that dog again.  Which clearly didn't last.  Like I said, good memories.  But, I digress...

3.  We just got new carpet.  Nice, new, clean carpet.  Granted, only in one room.  Hardwoods in the rest of the downstairs, which makes for easy clean up... but again, I digress.

4.  We don't have a fenced in back yard and Tom is adamantly against getting one.  So, walking would be mandatory.  But we do like to exercise.  And Murphy LOVES walking our neighbor's dog, Custer.

5.  The shedding.  Oh, the shedding.  This, I do NOT miss.  But, there are lots of breeds that only lightly shed.

6.  The time.  Oh, who has the time for a puppy?  Not us, that's for sure.  Our schedule is packed already.  But, we're always close to home.  We haven't been on a vacation in two years.

Despite all the practical reasons why we definitely should NOT get a dog, there is this little boy...

that would LOVE to have one.  Oh, and this one...

would love one, too.

And isn't life about the living, learning and loving?

But Tom still says no.  So, we'll just keep thinking about it.  Anyone care to share your pet or any thoughts on the subject?  And some recommendations, perhaps.  Just in case.  I mean, you never know...

Thanks!
Christy