My children have been begging for a dog for about as long as they could say the word. Big Sissy especially has always been more of a stuffed animal fan than a doll lover, but a real animal--well, that would be even better.
I have instructed them that they always need to ask the owner before they pet a dog on the street or at the park. Now Little Buddy can't see a dog without hollering out, "Ownah! Ownah! Can I pet youh dog?" They have even offered to take their quarters from doing chores to rescue a pet from an animal shelter. Of course that means that I pitch in the rest--and buy the food--and do the potty training--and take on more responsibility. I haven't really been open to the idea, especially since I'm still trying to potty train a child who doesn't particularly wish to be trained.
This week our friends went on a float trip and asked if we would "dog sit." Nervously, I agreed. I don't know a thing about dogs, but I managed to figure out what to do with children so how hard can it be, right? The thing about BJ is that she's old. Like in dog years, she would be a great grandma. So she doesn't really run and play with the kids. And though she is potty trained at her house, apparently grandma doggies tend to have accidents at other people's houses. Like a lot of them. So our trial run isn't proving to be very indicative of what it would really be like to have a dog. But the kids are enjoying being pet ownah's for as long as it lasts. And I have my scooper and Lysol wipes ready.
(Check out Little Sissy's shoes. Some things just aren't worth fighting about.)
