I really want a dog but...?

Question

my mother hates animals. I've been asking for a dog for about a year, and I've haven't gotten anywhere. My dad doesn't care if I get a dog, but my mom has the final say. She thinks I am not responsible enough, because she thinks I am totally unorganized. I'm an 'A' student, and I admit to being "scattered", but it's something I cannot help. (I'm only 13 y.o.) She knows I love animals, and I've told her many times that I will take full responsibility for my pet. I think having a pet will help me become more responsible and help me build more skills (I think). I cannot wait until I'm 18 to get a dog, so how do I convince my mom I can handle the responsibilities?

Ok....with this situation, money is not an issue. As I stated before, I do love animals, and I am willing to devote my time...(I have waaay too much of it...) I would NEVER let any animal suffer...because I'm not that type of person. I have taken care of my aunt's dogs before...and have proved to my aunt that I can do the job. I do have a younger brother...so I can't convince my mom that I am lonely. She doesn't think I am serious, but I have never been more serious about anything in my life. I was willing to give up my trip to NY to pay for a dog...so yeah I am totally serious. So I don't think the problem is me not being responsible (because I am), it's my mom's hate for animals. I've had a few pets (4 guinea pigs) in the past, that I took great interest in....so I'm sure I can handle a dog...[[=

....It would be awesome if I could volunteer at an animal shelter, but I have to be at least 15...and I don't wanna wait an entire year

Answer 1

make sure if u get 1 that its not 2 much 4 u maybe get a dog thats 20 pounds or lighter

Answer 2

Sorry but as a Mum I heard that from both of my kids too!
The trouble is that dogs need more than a child who loves them and will take them for walks. They need someone who can pay the vet and food bills, beds, toys, training, grooming, walks two or three times a day whatever the weather! They need someone who is prepared to do this for the next 10-15 years, as much as you love them you can't provide what it needs. Your life will change a great deal as you grow and finish school and start your own adult life and you will want the freedom to go out with your friends, date and even marry and start a family. What will happen with the dog then? Your Dad obviously doesn't care one way or the other, why should he? He won't be the one looking after it. Your Mum you say hates animals so she isn't going to want to do it, is she? A dog NEEDS a carer who loves it!

Sorry it's not the answer you want to hear, but you really should wait until you can give a dog the love and the LIFE it deserves!

Yes we had dogs and cats when my children were growing up but they belonged to the family and I was the one who looked after them. I was the one who wanted them most! It was lucky I did as the novelty of feeding and cleaning up the dog poop wore off very quickly and friends and homework were soon used as excuses not to do the walking too!

Volunteer at your local shelter and ask about walking the dogs. Talk to friends with dogs and ask them if they really look after their dogs or is it Mum and Dad who do it all? Then ask their parents if you can help look after them to see what care they need!

Answer 3

I don't believe you are responsible enough for a dog.

A dog need a tidy space. You admit to being "SCATTERED", and you can not help it, because you are 13 only. You will tell you mom 6 months later, I am only 13 and half, You can not ask me to do all the job for the dog.

Can you commit all of your free time to your dog. Will you give up your friends and social life? Are you planning to go to college? Do you have enough money to pay all the vet bill?

I don't think you can honest day YES.

Answer 4

You're 13 years old. In five years or so you will be going off to college or getting your own place to live... what do you propose will happen with your dog at that time?

I realize that you may be mature enough to handle a dog, feed it, care for it and train it... my own daughter did these things at an earlier age, but she has a mother who is dog crazy. Your mother may be afraid she's going to have to take care of the dog while you're at school... and then again when you go off to college.... or she may be concerned about the destruction of her house by an untrained animal.

Talk with your parents in depth about this. Approach it from a problem solving point of view rather than from an "I want" point. Explore working with dogs at a shelter or find out if one of your neighbors may be looking for a dog walker. If there is a friend or family member who shows dogs.. talk to them.. *I* would be more than willing to assist a young dog afficianado into learning more about dogs and their care... having an extra pair of hands at a dogshow is always welcome.

Good luck.

Answer 5

You need to respect your Mom - If you quit begging and whining about it, maybe she'll see it as a sign of maturity...Reverse logic.

Your Mom is smarter than you think - She was a teenage girl once and knows that once you're 15-16, she'll end up being the primary caregiver to the dog because you'll be hanging out with your friends and boys and forget all about the dog.

Answer 6

your 13, no one really takes you seriously unless you show how serious you really are.
i completely agree with YO LO.
wait till YOU can afford a dog (unless your mum decides she wants one) respect your mums decision (although you may feel shes unfair and horrible) if your mother doesnt agree to looking after your dog while your at school then, how fair is that on the dog??
its not just about YOU and the kind of responsibilities YOU have to take BUT its also the kind of responsibilities your MUM has to commit to

Answer 7

Commit to volunteering at the Humane Society. They always need people to socialize (walk and play with) the dogs to make them more adoptable. If you can show her that you are "together" enough to do that regularly, maybe she'll change her mind. In the meantime, you'll be spending time with lots of dogs. I did that for years.

Answer 8

I f Any Of Your Friends Have Dog Take It For Walks With Your Mum Ask The Friend To CXome Over With The Dog And Show Her Your Resposable
Then Say Mum You Seen how rEASPONSIBLE IM BEING =)
Give it a go

Answer 9

Being responsible means being home to spend time with it. As a teenager are you going to give up time with Friends to spend with a puppy? Right now, you say yes, but later........it will be your Mom's dog and she says she doesn't want one. so, waiting til you are 18 may be a good idea.

Answer 10

Start by being organized and not so scattered. Your mom hates animals. You should not get a dog, not while you are living with her.