Keep those paws away
"Why don't we have a dog?" asked my middle child Dalton the other night.
I paused and pondered whether we should consider adding a four-legged friend to our famiy. Then I came to my senses and thought, "No Way!" Not because I don't like animals. I grew up with dogs that I loved very much. I even have a picture of my old dog, Coco, next to my bed at home.
But why would I want to get another "thing" that I would have to feed, clean up after and worry about when I already have three boys that require that attention? I still wonder: Am I depriving my children of a faithful companion to play with and learn how to take care of?
I think not. I remember that my mom did all the dirty work with Coco. I reaped all the benefits. But as I grew older, Coco took a back seat to my friends. My mom didn't mind. She loved Coco, and he became her constant companion after I left to college, moved to Atlanta for my first job and even when I moved back to South Florida.
It took me a minute to figure out how to answer Dalton as he looked at me with his puppy eyes waiting -- hoping -- for my response.
"Honey we don't need a dog," I told him sweetly. "We have your two-year-old brother to play with and clean."
Dalton didn't like the answer. But it worked for the time being.
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