[snowball12]

I don't want to say anything that I will regret. But it was wrong for you to say "it is not a chat board" to me because you said to wonder Wondergirl "(Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)" so you used it as a chat board too. Please leave me alone now. Good bye.

P.S. I don't mean to be mean, so please don't think of me as a mean person.

[Wondergirl]

I don't want to say anything that i will regret. but it was wrong for you to say "it is not a chat board" to me because you said to wonder Wondergirl "(Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)" so you used it as a chat board too. Please leave me alone now. good bye.

P.S. i don't mean to be mean, so please don't think of me as a mean person.

Snowball, Judy has made some very good points about dog owning. She wants you and your family to be successful and give a dog a happy home where he or she is safe and healthy. Judy and I have known each other for a long time on this site -- thus her remarks to me. And yes, I'm a counselor -- plus a librarian and a teacher.

[snowball12]

I just didn't appreciate her kind of being rude :(

[JudyKayTee]

I don't want to say anything that i will regret. but it was wrong for you to say "it is not a chat board" to me because you said to wonder Wondergirl "(Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)" so you used it as a chat board too. Please leave me alone now. good bye.

P.S. i don't mean to be mean, so please don't think of me as a mean person.

Don't attempt to dictate who will answer you and in what manner.

Good-bye? You are leaving? Mean? No, that isn't a word I was going to use to describe you.

Wondergirl - you're in charge! Call me in 6 months and let me know how things are going with the puppy.

[Wondergirl]

I just didn't appreciate her kinda being rude :(

She wasn't rude. She's scared for the puppy that might end up in a bad situation with people who haven't done their research and who don't know which end is up on how to care for him the best way.

We see way too many ignorant people here on this site who have destroyed their dogs (and other pets) out of ignorance and laziness.

[snowball12]

Oh.. that's sad. I love dogs so much and I would never do that to my dag :) they are like little babies to me :)

[snowball12]

I meant "dog"

[Wondergirl]

oh.. thats sad. I love dogs so much and i would never do that to my dog :) they are like little babies to me :)

But, snowball, you have shown over and over again how clueless you still are. Please continue to educate yourself and your parents, so you don't end up with a bad situation. Loving dogs is not enough. You have to know what you're doing and have money to be able to give good care to a dog.

[snowball12]

OK.. do you want to educate me? You seem to know so much :)

[Wondergirl]

ok.. do you want to educate me? you seem to know so much :)

What have I been doing for all these pages?

You said you checked out six dog books at the library. When you finish with them, check out more. Check out kids' books on dog care. You might want to buy a good book on general dog care, so you have one at home to consult.

The main thing is that you read up on dog characteristics and dog care. Books, Internet sites, and talking with dog owners will help with that. Have you narrowed it down to the type of dog you want? Just because a dog is cute isn't good enough.

What will the dog do while you are in school and your parents are at work?

[snowball12]

My mom does not work and I am home schooled :)

[Wondergirl]

my mom does not work and i am home schooled :)

How involved will your parents be with the dog?

[snowball12]

Well.. I told them that I would take care of her but they would probably help me out a little.. plus they are paying for mostly everything!

[Wondergirl]

Well.. i told them that i would take care of her but they would probly help me out a little.. plus they are paying for mostly everything!

The main thing is to do your research and reading now, so you are prepared when you get the puppy or dog. Do you know yet where you will go to find a dog?

[Alty]

I have to say, I haven't read all the posts on this thread. I have no time.

I'm going to post and hope that what I say hasn't already been covered.

Our shelter doesn't do home inspections. They rely on honesty. Be honest to yourself. What sort of dog can you handle? It's not about a breed/look preference. It's about the energy level, what you can do, what you're willing to do, and what the dog needs.

Any breed you're looking at needs to be researched by you. If you're getting a beagle you will need a fenced yard, know that you can never let the dog off leash, know that this is a working breed (it's ingrained in their DNA) and understand that this breed will be a lot of work. Don't judge a dog by its size, or it's looks. You need to judge any dog you get by it's disposition and energy/needs.

Questions most shelters will ask is what sort of home you have. Is someone home all day? What other pets do you have? How often will the dog be walked? Do you have an enclosed yard? Do you have experience with dogs? Etc. etc.

Be honest with yourself. Will you walk the dog every day for an hour or more? Do you have the funds on hand to cover any medical expenses? If you get a puppy do you have the money for the 3 sets of shots, neutering/spay, in the first year? Will this be a lifetime (dogs life) commitment?

Pick a breed that's suitable for your lifestyle. If you don't enjoy walking for 2 hours plus a day, don't get a breed that requires a lot of exercise. If you don't have a fenced yard then don't get a hound, or a breed that will leave your property, or dig. Research the breeds that fit your lifestyle. Don't settle for anything less. If you go just by looks, you're doing yourself and the dog a great disservice.

[snowball12]

No, I don't... I think we will go to shelters and find the "best dog for us" but first we will ask questions, like, will it shed? How big will it get and all

[Wondergirl]

ask questions, like, will it shed? how big will it get and all

Ask about behavior, personality, whatever history the shelter knows, any previous training, energy level, disposition.

[snowball12]

OK! You are being MAJOR help for me!

[Wondergirl]

Now, go and do more research and talk to your parents about what kind of dog you all can handle in your lives and at your house.

Report back now and then, and ask questions if you have any.

[snowball12]

OK! So are we saying good bye for now?