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Background:
Li'l Sis is three years younger than me (so 19 now) and off at college in another town. Our relationship has gotten MUCH better since I got married and moved out. Not that it was ever a bad relationship, but like all siblings, we fought from time to time. She's a sweet girl, though she doesn't want anyone to know it. Li'l Sis also volunteers at the humane society in <college town> which is within easy driving distance of <hometown>.
Today I get a call from Li'l Sis telling me she wants to get one of the dogs. I figured this would happen at some point because who can resist big puppy eyes and a wagging tail? Since the parental units are allergic to furry things, she asked if the dog could stay with us when she's home, with assurances that she would pay for food and any kennel costs. As many of you know, we have a Beagle ourselves. We've been wanting to get a friend for her, but frankly we can't afford it. She lives in the dorms, but told me a friend in <college town> has a pet-friendly apartment who can keep the dog there. Said friend is probably going to take one of the dog's siblings since there are three puppies in the litter.
The puppy in question is a Great-Pyranese/Mastiff mix (I think that's what she told me), so it's going to be a DOG (don't worry, I have requested pics
). Li'l Sis is not prone to buying things of this magnitude on a whim, so she called back this evening and asking me if I thought she should get the puppy. I put on my Big Sister Hat(TM) and asked her about finances. Our furry children are expensive and she works a minimum wage job at the children's pizza place that sells beer (which is hilarious in and of itself, but that's another story). I'd hate for her to get the dog and end up not being able to afford to take care of it. She outlined her plan, which was reasonable. She and a friend are wanting to get an appartment together next year, but if that falls through, her other friend is willing to keep the dog at her place. We chatted about flea and heartworm prevention, toys, food, and vet bills. I was proud of her for looking ahead and not buying the dog until she was sure she could afford it. She's concerned that when she talks to the parental units, they may ask her to pick up more of the expenses they are paying for her, which would not allow her to afford the dog. I could see where the parents are coming from there.
I advised her to sleep on it a day or two, talk to Mom and Dad and really think if she can do this. A dog is a huge commitment both emotionally and financially. 'Course it's easy for me to say when I'm not the one getting the "take me home" face. Li'l Sis told me this dog was the shyest in the litter and hiding from everyone else. But when she saw Li'l Sis, she ran up and literally tried to jump out of the pen. The Li'l Sis has been volunteering there for awhile now and resisted every other fuzzy critter she wanted to take home, but maybe this is a sign? I dunno.
Li'l Sis is three years younger than me (so 19 now) and off at college in another town. Our relationship has gotten MUCH better since I got married and moved out. Not that it was ever a bad relationship, but like all siblings, we fought from time to time. She's a sweet girl, though she doesn't want anyone to know it. Li'l Sis also volunteers at the humane society in <college town> which is within easy driving distance of <hometown>.
Today I get a call from Li'l Sis telling me she wants to get one of the dogs. I figured this would happen at some point because who can resist big puppy eyes and a wagging tail? Since the parental units are allergic to furry things, she asked if the dog could stay with us when she's home, with assurances that she would pay for food and any kennel costs. As many of you know, we have a Beagle ourselves. We've been wanting to get a friend for her, but frankly we can't afford it. She lives in the dorms, but told me a friend in <college town> has a pet-friendly apartment who can keep the dog there. Said friend is probably going to take one of the dog's siblings since there are three puppies in the litter.
The puppy in question is a Great-Pyranese/Mastiff mix (I think that's what she told me), so it's going to be a DOG (don't worry, I have requested pics
). Li'l Sis is not prone to buying things of this magnitude on a whim, so she called back this evening and asking me if I thought she should get the puppy. I put on my Big Sister Hat(TM) and asked her about finances. Our furry children are expensive and she works a minimum wage job at the children's pizza place that sells beer (which is hilarious in and of itself, but that's another story). I'd hate for her to get the dog and end up not being able to afford to take care of it. She outlined her plan, which was reasonable. She and a friend are wanting to get an appartment together next year, but if that falls through, her other friend is willing to keep the dog at her place. We chatted about flea and heartworm prevention, toys, food, and vet bills. I was proud of her for looking ahead and not buying the dog until she was sure she could afford it. She's concerned that when she talks to the parental units, they may ask her to pick up more of the expenses they are paying for her, which would not allow her to afford the dog. I could see where the parents are coming from there.I advised her to sleep on it a day or two, talk to Mom and Dad and really think if she can do this. A dog is a huge commitment both emotionally and financially. 'Course it's easy for me to say when I'm not the one getting the "take me home" face. Li'l Sis told me this dog was the shyest in the litter and hiding from everyone else. But when she saw Li'l Sis, she ran up and literally tried to jump out of the pen. The Li'l Sis has been volunteering there for awhile now and resisted every other fuzzy critter she wanted to take home, but maybe this is a sign? I dunno.
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