STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Hermes

I want these puppies **UPDATE**

Boots · Gucci

RE: I want these puppies

gingembre1 · Kate Spade

I say go for it. You've obviously been considering this for quite some time, and have put a lot of thought into this decision. Your husband, it sounds like, is perfectly aware of your desire to have dogs, and your reasons for wanting them. I think that it sounds like these little guys are the perfect opportunity. Plus, they're adorable!!! Your husband won't be able to say no once he sees them.

Hermes

maybe I will just pay the deposit (he wont know, and it's a risk I'll take.) hopefully in the interim, he will turn around.

I will also need to get the dogs fixed, so there will be some up-front vet bills...

I can't believe how emotional I'm getting over this -- it's like making the decision to have a baby almost. I cannot have children, so in a way, this is an opportunity for me to have "babies."

oh - and bonus feature of the breed is that they like to catch mice -- probably not the most humane way to take care of them, but I'm hoping the dogs will make an inhospitable environment for them like a cat.

more info on cairns and their "ratter" instincts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn_Terrier

Kelly · Hermes

nevermind...I must have had this tab open a long time and typed up my response without seeing yours. I think putting the deposit on the puppies, but being aware it's a risk because you might lose the deposit if he is totally dead-set against them, is a good idea.

-- Edited by Kelly on Tuesday 16th of November 2010 02:17:18 PM

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

I think putting money down is fine, but do make sure husband is on the same page before they come home. You don't want him getting bent out of shape when he has to care for them.

They are so cute! I'm sure he'll come around. But, even if he opportunity passes you by, there will be other opportunites to adopt litter mates of this breed.

As a side note, if Novi isn't too far for you, I know a great vet there. I drive in from Ypsi to use him.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

D wrote:
maybe I will just pay the deposit (he wont know, and it's a risk I'll take.) hopefully in the interim, he will turn around. I will also need to get the dogs fixed, so there will be some up-front vet bills... I can't believe how emotional I'm getting over this -- it's like making the decision to have a baby almost. I cannot have children, so in a way, this is an opportunity for me to have "babies." oh - and bonus feature of the breed is that they like to catch mice -- probably not the most humane way to take care of them, but I'm hoping the dogs will make an inhospitable environment for them like a cat. more info on cairns and their "ratter" instincts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairn_Terrier

Sounds like the best option. I'm guessing since it's a rescue the deposit isn't very steep. I think hubby will come around, esp if you stress him being gone and the companionship it will provide. You might want to have the rescue group recommend a vet for the neutering - they may provide it for free (as part of the contract) or be able to have it done at a discount since those groups usually get charged a different rate. Also, if the pups are neutered in advance, it might be easier on you.

Hermes

I'm actually going to have to drive to Ohio from Michigan to pick them up, so I'm going to have to use a local vet. Getting them fixed is a whole other ball of wax. I'm also thinking pet health insurance might not be a bad idea.

I spoke to my husband about them again. He has never had a dog, so he doesn't understand how they become part of the family and how much joy they can bring. I think he's turning around. He said, of all things that they wouldn't like him -- and I told him they would love him. Again, he is turning around, I don't know what it's like to have never had a dog, so I think it's more daunting to him than it is to me. I asked him if he thought about it at all since we last talked, and he said he did. At least he isn't completely against it. I think he's interested, but is having difficulty grasping the lifestyle change. I think deep down he would like to have these puppies...

He comes home on Saturday. Hopefully his time traveling will help him process the idea.

Bottom line, these puppies need a home and someone to love them... I also said I didn't want to bring them home and have them be my dogs -- that's no fun for me. He needs to be on board.

Slowly, we might be getting there.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Get pet health insurance! My pup had knee surgery when she was 2, and a follow up surgery when she was about 7. They set me back quite a bit. The first one was when I was still in college, thankfully the vet did the surgery and worked out a payment plan for me. It was more than $1000 for a knee surgery. She's 11 now and just had her teeth cleaned, and that is quite an expense too.

I'm glad your husband is coming around. Dogs are so loyal, he'd have to be mean to the dogs for them not to like him. I'm sure that he will change his mind. I can't imagine having never had a dog. To me, that's just a given!

Besides, dogs are good at protecting. With him being gone so much, they would be helpful as both companionship as well as for their hearing (I doubt a theif is afraid of a small terrier, but they would alert you to weird noises, etc.)

Would he go to Ohio with you to visit the dogs? I think he'd be on board once he held them and saw you interacting with them.

If he doesn't come around to the idea on the plane, maybe you can play up how bored you were while he was gone. :)

Hermes

I hope the insurance isn't too expensive -- husband would probably be less enthusiastic if it were... I think it's smart to do since it could be much more expensive in the long run...

Do you brush your dog's teeth? I was thinking I'd give that a shot if we get them. I've never brushed a dog's teeth, so that would be new to me.

I totally brought up the protection factor to him when we spoke this morning. The dogs would be able to hear things before I would, plus the barking alone can be a deterrent (we have a security system, but still...)

If I can get him on board, I'd like to just pick up the dogs the week of the 6th, with or without him. I would hope he could come. I could always say, lets go pick them up -- if for any reason there are any concerns that it will be a poor fit, we can always back out (I can't imagine this happening though.)

I honestly think he doesn't know how to handle himself around dogs. He's a little apprehensive around them. I know he loves animals, but I think he might be a little frightened of dogs for some reason -- I think it's solely because he's not used to being around them. I think he also has a fear of the dog biting or attacking him (again, having never been close to a dog, he's limited in experience dealing with them.) If he can talk to and feed peanuts to squirrels and chipmunks, I think it's within him to have the capability to talk to and feed a dog :)

-- Edited by D on Wednesday 17th of November 2010 02:17:03 PM

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Well, when she was a puppy, I didn't have to brush her teeth because she would get to my tooth brush and chew it. Later I would try, but she'd only lick the toothpaste, and wouldn't have any part of any brushing. I mostly counted on the rawhide keeping her teeth clean.

She never had 'dog breath' until she was about 9. Then at 11 I noticed a loose tooth, and she had to have a dental visit.

Given my experience, I'd get pet insurance on our next dog, but most dogs don't have to have a surgery. Perhaps if there are specific problems associated with the breeed that could be costly then weigh it as an option, and if not, maybe just take the gamble. Now that I don't live on ramen, pet bills are a little easier to foot.

Kelly · Hermes

I say definitely get health insurance!! I don't have it on Traci, and for the first 10 years it didn't matter, but in the last two (she's 12) I REALLY could have used it. We go to the vet SO MUCH now that she's getting old and falling apart, and every time I get a vet bill I kick myself for not getting insurance on her when she was still young.

I don't think it would be so bad if they were "just your dogs." I know you say that wouldn't be any fun, but I think it would. Traci is "my" dog, but she and SO absolutely adore each other. For the first year or so that we were dating he was pretty indifferent to her. He didn't dislike her, he just mostly ignored her. But now he is nuts about her. The fact that she's "mine" is just a technicality. She doesn't know that, and he doesn't act like that. And my dad seriously dislikes dogs, but when I bring Traci over with me when I visit my parents, I still see him sneaking treats to her. I think puppies wear men down

Especially when it sounds like a lot of his uneasiness about it comes from just not being used to dogs.

Boots · Gucci

D wrote:

I hope the insurance isn't too expensive -- husband would probably be less enthusiastic if it were... I think it's smart to do since it could be much more expensive in the long run...

Do you brush your dog's teeth? I was thinking I'd give that a shot if we get them. I've never brushed a dog's teeth, so that would be new to me.

I totally brought up the protection factor to him when we spoke this morning. The dogs would be able to hear things before I would, plus the barking alone can be a deterrent (we have a security system, but still...)

If I can get him on board, I'd like to just pick up the dogs the week of the 6th, with or without him. I would hope he could come. I could always say, lets go pick them up -- if for any reason there are any concerns that it will be a poor fit, we can always back out (I can't imagine this happening though.)

I honestly think he doesn't know how to handle himself around dogs. He's a little apprehensive around them. I know he loves animals, but I think he might be a little frightened of dogs for some reason -- I think it's solely because he's not used to being around them. I think he also has a fear of the dog biting or attacking him (again, having never been close to a dog, he's limited in experience dealing with them.) If he can talk to and feed peanuts to squirrels and chipmunks, I think it's within him to have the capability to talk to and feed a dog :)

-- Edited by D on Wednesday 17th of November 2010 02:17:03 PM

THis was completely me before my brother got his puppy last summer. I didn't dislike dogs, but was a little afraid of them jumping on me. biting (even in play) or just reacting in unexpected ways. I had always had cats so having a dog around a lot is a new experience for me. I was only convinced how wonderful his dog was after I met him first hand. But it was like night and day. For my parents as well (I kid them that they have a grand-dog now, but its so true. They treat Kona like he was a child.)

I think that if your husband is willing to go into this with an open mind, he might very well fall in love with the puppies once he meets them. But be prepared that he'll probably be pretty skeptical until then.

Hermes

thanks for sharing your story, Boots. at least I know my husband isn't a freak now, lol. I am certain he'll love them too -- this can be a good thing in his life, I'm sure. I can tell in his voice when he talked about the individual dogs that there was a little tone of affection. He had been looking at the boy dog's picture (the darker, brindle one) and was most concerned about him for some reason -- my husband specifically said he's trouble. how he gets that from the picture, I don't know!

even I went through some second thoughts yesterday, and tried to wrap my head around the reality, and not just the fantasy, of having the dogs become part of our family and how I would need to set things up in the house, change in routine, etc. Today, I'm feeling good about the decision.

Kelly - had I had the dogs before I met my husband, the situation would be different. Not sure I'd be comfortable having them be "my dogs." I think by nature, they will be as they will probably view me as the pack leader, but I really need my husband's support and participation in this. I fear he would be resentful toward me otherwise.

gd -- who is the vet? as weird as this may sound, I want to find a vet that will leave the girl dogs ovaries and just remove the uterus. hormones are a precious thing, whether you're a dog or a woman. some studies have shown that removal of the ovaries may shorten life span. I want to make sure she has as long of a healthy life as possible.

Hermes

I put a deposit down. I really hope my husband doesn't dig his heels in. I'm nervous and excited.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Woohoo, D! That's awesome!

Some thoughts:
have hubby feed puppies and they will be HIS dogs
let him name the boy dog something manly like THOR
dogs love everyone! i'm sure he'll be fine!

I brush Ollie's teeth on a semi weekly basis. They say that the earlier you do it, the more willing they'll be. At first I tried a dog toothbrush then a finger brush but finally bought a kiddie toothbrush and that has worked out much better! He licks the toothpaste but I'm able to get in and brush while he's distracted and he lets me, I think he kinda likes it.

I don't have pet insurance because I've heard that they find every reason under the sun to NOT cover what you need so you end up paying out of pocket. Does anyone have good experiences w coverage?

Hermes

that's a great idea to have him feed them, xtina...

I too would like to hear from anyone who has pet insurance.

I did read some insurance reviews here: http://www.petinsurancereview.com/reviewStart.asp

petplan seems to have the best rating, and with the choices I made, it would be $50/mo... I think with the spaying, etc coming up, it will be worth it. I think the deductible I chose was $200.

Boots · Gucci

CONGRATS!!!!

You know, having your husband name at least one of the dogs might help the bonding process along. Maybe you can name the girl and he can name the boy?

Hermes

yes, he will definitely be a part of naming them. I just spoke to him, and he's quiet about it, so that's not a good sign. he was concerned about them scratching our wood floors. I told him we can pick them up on the 6th. he said he was still thinking about it. I threw all my reasons for wanting them at him again.

the way my husband operates is he won't express his true feelings until I go to pick them up, then he'll say no. silence is not good with him -- it means that he is hoping I'll drop the idea.

marriage sucks sometimes. I told him we can be roommates and his roommate will happen to have dogs.

he's taking the joy and excitement right out of this.

Boots · Gucci

Aww. But he hasn't said absolutely no yet, so don't give up hope! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that meeting the puppies will make all the difference. Maybe when he sees how happy it makes you, he'll give it a chance.

And yes, sometimes I am sooooo happy to be single. There's good and bad no matter what.