I know this may seem a little long but I can't talk to anyone at home about it so bear with me. The story goes like this. I am a major animal lover and I especially love dogs. Since I can remember I have been asking my dad for a dog. He always says no and he always has a different reason. However, last year he let me foster a dog during the summer. I took very good care of the dog BY MYSELF. I cleaned up after every mess, I took her out at least 5 times every day and I took her everywhere I went (I really loved her and I miss her terribly - my dad didn't let me keep her). Now, for my 17th birthday I asked my dad to let me foster again. He gave me the impression he was going to say yes (he was asking about the dog and how long I would foster) but in the end he said no. He said it wouldn't be fair to the dog to bring him in a home and then send him back to kennels. The thing is I was not going to send him back. I am leaving to University after this year of school...(continued)
2007-12-28 08:55:33 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
and I was planning to take the dog with me if, in the end, my dad did not want to keep it. I would not even think of sending it back to the kennels. The last resort would be to give him to someone else who I would be sure can take excellent care of him if for some reason I couldn't take him with me. Anyways my dad says it isn't fair to the dog to give him a home and then send him back. So I told him "I don't want to do that, YOU are the one who does not want to keep him" and he says it is because no one else can care for him but me. That is not true though. My cousin lives with me and she CAN take care of the dog. She is 15 right now going on 16 and she has seen me take care of the foster dog and knows everything. She would sometimes ask me if she could walk the dog and I let her and everything was fine. My cousin could take just as good care of the dog as I can but my dad won't give her a chance to prove it. He usually does this...shoots down my ideas even if they make sense...(more)
2007-12-28 08:56:30 · update #1
So do you think it is fair that my dad won't let me keep the dog even though there is no reason not to?? If he is so concerned with the dog's welfare then shouldn't he see that what REALLY isn't fair is that this dog has to stay in the kennels when there is a perfectly good home with people who are MORE than willing to take him in and love him?
2007-12-28 08:57:15 · update #2
Ok people...money is not the issue...I'm not forcing him to get it and I know he has final say otherwise I would already have the dog...I'm just asking if you think he is being fair about this not whether it is up to him.
2007-12-28 09:05:21 · update #3
Even if we may not think it's fair, it's your dad's house so his rules stand. I am so sorry that you can't have one but, on the bright side, if you're leaving for school you could get a dog if they are allowed in the dorms. If you don't think you would have time for one while in school, there's only 4 yrs of school and THEN you can finally get your dog!! Sorry and good luck!
2007-12-28 09:07:27 · answer #1 · answered by Jen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I see exactly what you are saying but, the thing is what if you can not taking care of the dog any longer? A dog is a commitment for life. This means for the next 10-20 years this dog is your responsibility. What if you get a job offer across the country? What if you get married and your husband or wife is allergic? When you move into your first apartment, how are you going to afford the pet deposit? What will you do with the dog when you work or go to school? These are things you need to think about. I am sure you dad thinks about this, and doesn't want you to restrict your life until you are in a position to have a dog and fully take care of it.
2007-12-28 17:08:48 · answer #2 · answered by Renee L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's fair, yes. Although you are providing basic care for the dog, what happens when it comes to financial responsibility? WHo is paying for the food? Vet care? Who pays for a possible $1000+ vet bill at 2am if the dog becomes very ill? Who buys toys, etc?
If you are also FINANCIALLY responsible somehow, then I think he is being unfair.
I would not suggest you get a dog going into your first year of college. Imagine, you have $20 in the bank, the dog gets ill and need $500 worth of care. SInce you have no money (as you shouldn't, you're in college) you have to either watch your dog suffer, or relinquish ownership which would maybe end up in the pup being euthanized.
2007-12-28 17:03:05 · answer #3 · answered by ccourtcleve 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it's not fair because you're old enough and responsible enough for the dog. But.... if you're dad doesn't want a dog, then that's the verdict. I will make a suggestion, maybe you can have the dog as an outside dog instead of an inside dog. My father wouldn't let our dogs to be indoor dogs, so we have dog houses in the backyard.
2007-12-28 17:05:58 · answer #4 · answered by traceandtobygirl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Dad pays the mortgage. Until you are out on your own with your own home, you just can't always have everything you want. I personally think every kid should have dogs. But your dad has a right to say what goes on in his house. If he doesn't want a dog, you just can't have one. I'm sorry.
2007-12-28 17:01:04 · answer #5 · answered by mama woof 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's your dad's house and your dad's rules. Until you pay the bills, he has the final say regardless of the reason.
Just guessing... but maybe the reason he ended up saying no is because he realized this foster you were pushing on him was a ploy to get the dog in the door and then keep it?
~~
Edit:
Okay, Believer... even in your post, you're whining. If I was your mother, I'd say no too.
Don't whine. Make a valid argument and leave it at that.
2007-12-28 17:00:27 · answer #6 · answered by Kimberly 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Once you get your own crib you can own an animal. There is no way to force your dad into co-owning a dog if he really does not want one.
2007-12-28 17:26:57 · answer #7 · answered by T J 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand your argument but your dad has a right to say no. Wait until you are on your own and then you can make your own decisions and maybe even understand why your dad is making this one.
2007-12-28 20:13:22 · answer #8 · answered by Freckles... 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's fair if it's his money, his house, and you're 17.
Edit: Oh yes, Money is the issue. It's not yours. It's his. Unless, as other people have said, you can support thousands in possible ER care? You don't need the dog at your age. Not while you're at home. Get over it and move on.
2007-12-28 17:00:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
well, i guess it isnt all that fair to you. you take care of it very well, the messes, the walks. do you train it ? such as the basics like come, sit, down, no. im a animal lover like you. i cant even tap a dog for doing something bad without fealing guilt ! lol well maybe tear down YOU DAD'S exuses. like as soon as you tell your story, you said he allways shoots it down with something ? well shoot his down. im not saying start trouble. but possibly try and win the game, fair and square.
2007-12-28 17:03:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋