[JudyKayTee]

My guess - you're 12. Thus - your name.

I would have guessed younger but perhaps 12 is not correct.

Teens and adults don't keep posting "haha".

[Wondergirl]

What do you mean i am setting myself up for trouble

You will be establishing a precedent. That means you will set up a bad habit for the puppy. Before you know it, every night he will be whining and crying so you come to him.

NEVER feed a dog in the middle of the night. It usually helps to put his crate in your bedroom, so he doesn't feel alone. You and your family will be his pack.

[snowball12]

I have been researching so many things and you missed that I said "when i say i probly wont hit it, i mean I WIL NOT hit it. " I will never hit my dog!! I don't know why I put probably when I meant NO!!

[JudyKayTee]

In anticipation - what does "precedent" mean? (Amusing myself)

[snowball12]

OK! Thanks for all the help, wondergirl!

[Wondergirl]

In anticipation - what does "precedent" mean? (Amusing myself)

From the online Merriam-Webster dictionary --

2 prec·e·dent
Noun \ˈpre-sə-dənt\
Definition of PRECEDENT
1 an earlier occurrence of something similar
2 something done or said that may serve as an example or rule to authorize or justify a subsequent act of the same or an analogous kind <a verdict that had no precedent>

[Wondergirl]

ok! thanks for all the help, wondergirl!

I'm being dismissed?

[snowball12]

I'm not telling you if you are wrong or right.. perhaps I used 12 because its by birthday or a special date in my life.. or maybe I didn't.. can't tell! And would you stop being so hard on me? Thanks

[snowball12]

No.. I just meant thanks for everything thing! Not like I'm saying good bye or anything

[JudyKayTee]

I'm being dismissed?

Not by me, no. (Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)

[Wondergirl]

Snowball, I strongly advise you to read up on what it means to have a puppy and also make sure your family knows about a lot of things too. Getting a puppy is nearly as major as having a human baby.

[snowball12]

OK.. I will do that!

[snowball12]

Who?

[JudyKayTee]

Snowball 12: "im not telling you if you are wrong or right.. perhaps i used 12 because its by birthday or a special date in my life .. or maybe i didn't.. can't tell! And would you stop being so hard on me? Thanks "


I'm not being hard on you. I'm being realistic. I have no patience for game playing on the Internet (a question about your age when you are about to take on the commitment of a puppy with apparently little family support, not anticipating the expenses and costs of a dog is NOT inappropriate, yet you can't give a straight answer) and I would say the same thing to anyone who was ill prepared to take on this big job - important for you but more important for the dog. It's life and death for him/her. It isn't for you.

I stand there and watch dogs surrendered because people are ill prepared. You didn't even know what parvo was. That indicates you have no knowledge of the Vet care (and shots) the puppy will need - and the expense. Some of the dogs I see surrendered find new homes. Many, many do not. Getting a puppy is not a game.

[snowball12]

To: Judykaytee
Getting a puppy is fun. I know it can be hard sometimes, but its mostly fun. I feel that you are being rude to me. That's just what I feel. I'm am not trying to be mean.

[Wondergirl]

Not by me, no. (Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)

I'm great with EVERYbody, even homeless people and telemarketers. I should call you some day and let you experience my warmth and magnetism. :D

[Wondergirl]

to: Judykaytee
Getting a puppy is fun. I know it can be hard sometimes, but its mostly fun. I feel that you are being rude to me. thats just what i feel. im am not trying to be mean.

Judy isn't being rude, snowball. She is so right. I volunteer at a cat shelter and see so many cats brought in because that cute little fuzzy kitten got expensive with shots needed and neutering and even sickness and oh my gosh! Grew up and wasn't so cute any longer when it was clawing up the furniture and needing to have its kitty litter box cleaned every night. I've rescued four cats that people dumped in my yard during the past ten years. Before that, I adopted cats from shelters.

Yes, puppies are fun -- for about two hours (maybe). They also are tons of work and expense and worry.

[snowball12]

To: wondergirl :)

By any chance, are you a councilor? Because you are very good at giving advise!

[snowball12]

I thought that it was rude when she said that I wasn't getting family support :(.. but I am getting A lot.. and she said that I couldn't give a straight answer :(

[JudyKayTee]

to: wondergirl :)

By any chance, are you a councilor? Because you are very good at giving advise!

This is not a chat board. Please stop using it as one.

And here's what can happen. I live with an acre of backyard, totally fenced. Sunday night a woodchuck came under the fence and my dogs tangled with it. Neither dog was bitten but the woodchuck escaped. It can't be tested for rabies because it's... gone.

BOTH dogs went to the Vet yesterday. They BOTH needed physicals, Rabies booster shots, blood tests. Each dog - $275. Total - $550. That's for starters if neither one gets sick. That's in addition to their semi-annual physicals and shots (about $200 each), blood panel (about $150 each), heartworm and flea medicine (about $400 a year total) and anything else that happens to them. Oh, and my larger dog is on thyroid medication.

BOTH of my dogs were rescues. One is AKC, one is not. (I know, what's AKC?)

I trust, Snowball, that you and your family have that kind of money?