Comments on: Try This Tuesday #26: Getting a Pet

By: Try This Tuesday #27: Teaching Impulse Control

Try This Tuesday #27: Teaching Impulse Control — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:14:32 +0000

[...] what a great response last week to the topic of getting a pet. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and experiences on the subject – it was really helpful to [...]

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:59:01 +0000

My son's are both autistic and our first dog for them was a begal.He started out in the house but ended up out side.They are sweet eventempered and I've never known one to bite.My dad raised them for a number of years.

By: Trish

Trish — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:05:05 +0000

I'm totally laughing about the poop comment, Tammy! When I was in college, I had a plastic goldfish in a little tank with a magnet on a string. When you turned it on, the magnet activated and made it move around.

I appreciate everyone's comments. I guess what it really comes down to is how much my husband and I want or don't want a pet. If we both were on board, we would probably have already gotten one.

And, Maddy, I'm not sure what Barbara said, but your comment last week along with all the adorable pics of your new addition definitely inspired my choice of topic!

By: Tammy and Parker

Tammy and Parker — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 21:23:43 +0000

I'd go with something like a goldfish. But that's just me. Preferably a wooden one.

That's just me though. One more thing that came with poop that needed to be cleaned up would simply throw me over the edge.

By: gail @ challenges & adventures

gail @ challenges & adventures — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:26:10 +0000

how funny! i posted on my blog about whether we are going to get another dog before i even knew what your topic for today was. with our son, a dog has been a good choice. he has learned to be gentle with dogs and loves them alot!

By: Jaime

Jaime — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:52:40 +0000

Shortly after we began our debate about getting a dog, my sister's family – and their dog – needed to move in with us. I realized that Tyler (now 2) wasn't as excited about dogs when they are around full-time — and I'm too busy to take care of and play with a dog right now. So we decided to wait until Tyler's a little older. Maybe you could borrow a pet from someone for a week or two in order to help you evaluate the decision in a realistic manner?! Good luck with the decision.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:20:49 +0000

Great idea.
xo

By: Sheri Rouse

Sheri Rouse — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:20:23 +0000

I also must say that I am highly allergic to dogs and cats and have had MANY over the years. My doctor once gave me the advice that if you can handle 3 weeks of allergy torture you will acclimate to your own animal and your body will not be allergic to yours. It is tolerable for the love they give us!

By: Sheri Rouse

Sheri Rouse — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:17:31 +0000

For me I decided I wanted one and I got one. there was no fretting, no considering for weeks. I wanted, we got. I love animals and I wanted my children to grow up caring for and loving animals.

My child has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. He needs constant supervision ESPECIALLY around the animals in our home. But he is learning and is doing much better (after 7 years)

My kids are better off for having animals in their life. The unconditional love is a good experience.

I look at it much like kids. If you consider the expense, the "trouble", the work, the unknown you'd never do it.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:07:59 +0000

Trish, we have two cats, a dog, and multiple goldfish. For my family, the pets have been a very positive thing. The children have learned responsiblity by taking care of them, and they love snuggling with them (well, not the fish!).

With my oldest daughter, I do have to be vigilant because she is unpredictable and can rage violently. Interestingly though, the pets all love her and they seem to help her calm herself. Although she has cause physical injury to people, myself included, she is tender and gentle with the pets.

Our cats and dog have all come from the SPCA and I think that helps also. The children are learning that shelter animals can make great pets, and we have avoided some of the high strung behaviors that purebred dogs can sometimes exhibit.

Just to be on the safe side, our cats are declawed, and when looking for a dog, we searched to find the most mellow creature we could.

Life with our pets is great – and I believe my children are better for it!