Cross your fingers! (IMG heavy)

Ritz459 · 05-17-2007, 05:21 PM

As some of you know, I am interested in getting a new dog. After a bonfire/campout night that a friend of mine threw for our highschool Juniors and Seniors, I fell in love with a Collie/Aussie mix puppy that was in a litter her dog had.

I asked Dad the night I was there if I could have her. He said no. I brought the pup home for the day (Dad wasn't home). My mom and everyone else fell in love with her too. I asked Dad again after taking the puppy home. He said, "I don't think it is a good idea". The other day I told him, "If you thought I was going to give up that easily, then you were wrong." and asked him again. He said, "I'll think about it."
See, progress!

(Well, kind of. Not really, but still...)

So, I'm letting off on the gas for a day or two to give him "time to think" and then if he hasn't said anything to me, I'm going to ask him again...keep your fingers crossed that I can get her! My dad has the tendency to not agree to anything unless it is his idea, and when he married my mom he swore up and down he wouldn't have a house full of animals...and now look. lol I'm hoping that this isn't past his limit and he'll let me get her.
The reason he is "thinking" now, I do believe, is because I typed up a page full of expenses that come with a dog....my initial yearly cost was around $1700 (I get free heart worm medicine/flea and tick control, free grooming, free boarding, and breaks on vet bills). I averaged out how much I'd have to pay/save per month and then compared that to my salary to show that I could do it.
He is also worried about my time management so I may type of a daily schedule as well.

And while the puppy was here, I snapped some pictures of her. They aren't very good as she wouldn't hold still/leave my feet, but oh well. She actually didn't really settle until we chained her up outside; then she was a happy dog who just wanted to play. lol So without further ado, here are the (bad) pictures:

(I do believe in the above picture she saw our dogs in their kennel. lol I walked her over by it to see what she and my dogs would do. She was curious, but hesitent. Blackie totally ignored her but Rose "aroooo"d at me in a tone that said, "I'm happy to see you but what in the heck is that THING doing here?")

(The poor puppy; that chain almost weighed more than she did!)

(That is my sister holding her. As soon as JeanAnne saw me with the pup, she just HAD to hold her. She adores Collies, so she went balistic.)

And the only reason I keep calling her "the puppy" is because I don't want to get too attached and then have my hopes dashed (as they already have been three different times). I have already named her, however. lol

Raina. I think it is a very pretty name. It means "queen".

roman · 05-17-2007, 05:36 PM

can i tell you i have one of those strange feelings when i feel all physic like lol

i know you are keeping her i can feel it and your dad is really attached to her already even though he might not show it...but dont go by my word lol

shes a cutie! and raina is a great name and i see you decided not to go with the name ending in "IE" lol

TinyAlbinoDancer · 05-17-2007, 05:44 PM

Ritz have you thought about what you're going to do with your pets after you're in college? Vet school isn't cheap, and if your dad didn't want a house full of animals in the first place... That's something to consider. I brought home my first puppy (Missie) when I was 12 years old, and she's a small dog so it wouldn't be hard to move out with her. But it isn't cost effective, and I can't imagine having her and my other babies if I was planning on going to vet school! It's easy to be optimistic and figure you'll cross that bridge when you come to it now, but especially since you're planning on going to a vet school (which is intensive and expensive!), you may want to re-think bringing home a puppy.

Just my .02 from years of having parents say "no" and appreciating that now!

***Cassiepeia*** · 05-17-2007, 05:45 PM

She's gorgeous.

Quote:

Raina. I think it is a very pretty name. It means "queen".

Good name. My best friends niece is called Raina.

Cass.

Ritz459 · 05-17-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyAlbinoDancer

Ritz have you thought about what you're going to do with your pets after you're in college? Vet school isn't cheap, and if your dad didn't want a house full of animals in the first place... That's something to consider. I brought home my first puppy (Missie) when I was 12 years old, and she's a small dog so it wouldn't be hard to move out with her. But it isn't cost effective, and I can't imagine having her and my other babies if I was planning on going to vet school! It's easy to be optimistic and figure you'll cross that bridge when you come to it now, but especially since you're planning on going to a vet school (which is intensive and expensive!), you may want to re-think bringing home a puppy.

Just my .02 from years of having parents say "no" and appreciating that now!

Yes, that is something I've taken into consideration. I'm planning on living at home for a first couple of years at college (I live only about thirty minutes away from campus). When I do move out, it will be when I have a steady job and a decent, steady schedule, and then it will be to a pet friendly apartment/whatever.
College tuition should run about five grand a year. I'm hoping that I can obtain some scholarships (I average strait A's in school) that can help pay for it. I'll be in college for about eight years (from age seventeen to twenty five) ...four getting my master degree (which I'm going to have in animal behavior) and then another four getting my whatever degree that a vet gets. lol (The name escapes me right now. I'm so tired!).
When I do go off to college, the pup will be about two years old. My younger brother and I are in this together and he'll be turning fourteen, so he and I can bounce responsibilities, with me being the main caretaker. If he decides he doesn't want to (being a fourteen year old male), then I'll take on the responsibility.
I'm pretty confident that I can juggle all of that. It may be tough at times, but I believe that I could handle it. I think that if you try and you work at it, it is possible to have a dog during college. I've known people who have done it and I think I can as well.
I know that college is busier than highschool, but my thought process is that if I can take care of nine critters during highschool, have a job, play basketball, and still maintain straight A's, I'm doing pretty good. Tell me if I'm wrong, though, because I, being like my dad, have a way of looking at things that only make sense to me. And since I'm hoping to maintain this job through college (what better place to work for than at a vet if you want to major in veteranary science?) and I would be able to take the dog to work with me.
I think that getting a puppy during college is stupid, but if I get one now, then in two years, while it will still be a "puppy" of sorts, it will be trained, able to stay at home while I'm gone, be well adjusted, etc. Again, tell me if I'm wrong.
I also think that when I get up to the college point, I won't have as many animals as I do now...not to be pessimistic, but in two years from now, all of my animals are going to be old...and while I hope with all of my heart they live beyond the "average" lifespan, they will all be up there....Rush will be sixteen, Blackie will be fourteen, Rose will be ten, the Ferts will be five and four, the rodents will all be around five...

Or maybe that won't happen, because they are all going to live forever!

They grow up so fast, don't they?

But, yes, if my dad does lay his foot down, I'll try to accept it gracefully. (Oh, and the reason he didn't want a house full of animals is because he isn't an animal person. He is a "the animals either serve some kind of function out in the barn or they are to be eaten" kind of person. It isn't because we can't take care of a house full of animals, just that he doesn't "prefer" animals. He also said that he hates loud music and noise, and then he went off and had five kids. LOL

)

Thank you all for your good wishes, and the concerns.

LOL yep, I didn't go with an "ie" name. That name just popped into my head and stuck there, so that is the name it will be.

IceyBlueSibes · 05-17-2007, 06:59 PM

*crossing all fingers and paws here*

I'd have to say that your way of thinking it out is about the same way I would. If she'll be 2 years old by the time you're heavy in college, I wouldn't see the problem. As you said, she'd be much older and trained by then. She's still young, but she would not be quite as hyper as a puppy.

Looks like you kind of brought on my technique (atleast for your mom!). You brought her home for the day and look what happened. lol Now if you can only convince your dad. If he's anything like mine, you just have to break that hard shell. My dad has ALWAYS said, "No more animals". Especially when we just had Sarge, Sheiba and Denali. Now look at us. lol When I had my first pitbull, and we returned her to her owners (stupidly), he said "No more pitbulls". I tried adopting one (only to find he was dog aggressive), and now I own one. And he thinks Lugar is one of the sweetest (a bit 'slow' lol) dogs around.

Keep trying. I think typing up a daily schedule would be great to show your dad. You can put up a calendar and keep your 'duties' listed. This can show your dad you REALLY want this puppy and you would do anything it takes to do things right. I think working at a vets office is a huge plus, especially if you get discounts on vet'ing and free boarding/grooming.

BTW, She's stinkin' cute!

DogLover8 · 05-17-2007, 08:27 PM

Raina is a cute name. She sure is a cute fella.

***Rivsky*** · 05-17-2007, 08:55 PM

I lurve the name Ritz!! She is so beautiful - I've got everything crossed for you that your dad does come around - it sounds like you've put so much thought into this whole thing and how it's going to work out in the long term as well as the short term - well done!

TinyAlbinoDancer · 05-17-2007, 10:54 PM

I forgot to say I love her name, too! It's beautiful.

I think if you've got it pretty well managed as to how you're going to accomplish everything you'll be ok. And from the sounds of things you certainly do.

The only other "what if" I'd take into consideration is that Raina is a cross of two working breeds, so she may need to be kept busier than your current dogs, and that will change a schedule with her. But it IS do-able if you're commited, and I know you are. I appreciate you typing out your plans and addressing my concerns.

When I was very young my dad had a rule of "no pets" (I think he said ever!). Then he took in a stray kitten... Now he'll drain the bank account to help me pay for vet bills.

There's hope for your dad.

lol Maybe you could ask him why he's hesitant? I like to think of potential objections my family would have, determine for myself if I feel they're valid and *I* need to take them into consideration (could my family actually be RIGHT?!?! lol!), and then beat my family to the punch addressing their concerns. Over the years I've written papers, devised speeches, and for Aysa, did a Powerpoint slideshow.

So there's my super-secret strategy.

Good luck! Keep us updated.

trainingrixie · 05-18-2007, 06:34 AM

awww...that is such a cute pupper! and raina in a very sweet name. good luck persuading your pops...my dad is sooo stubborn! so i know how you feel. he very rarely cracks though. he wouldn't even let me bring home these three kittens at the shelter i volunteer at. their mama died, and they were o nly 3 weeks old. I just wanted to raise them until they were old enough to adopt out

he was very adament with his NO F'N WAY!

***Swiftwind*** · 05-18-2007, 08:07 AM

What a cutie she is!

I like the name that you've picked out for her. Here's to hoping all goes well, it's tough convincing parents sometimes, but all your effort will be worth it in the end.

Ritz459 · 05-18-2007, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyAlbinoDancer

I forgot to say I love her name, too! It's beautiful.

I think if you've got it pretty well managed as to how you're going to accomplish everything you'll be ok. And from the sounds of things you certainly do.

The only other "what if" I'd take into consideration is that Raina is a cross of two working breeds, so she may need to be kept busier than your current dogs, and that will change a schedule with her. But it IS do-able if you're commited, and I know you are. I appreciate you typing out your plans and addressing my concerns.

Her breed cross gave me a bit of hesitancy at first, but I did some research on Collies and I think that I'd be able to handle that type of activity level (especially after having a Lab puppy! lol). The Aussie part had me a bit more concerned. However, I plan on jogging for a couple of miles this summer (and if I have the motivation, which a dog would be, after this summer) as well as compete in obdience and agility trials. I figured that that would be enough mental and physical activity for a breed of that cross. And physically, she takes after her Collie daddy, so maybe she'll take more after him mentally as well.

Quote:

When I was very young my dad had a rule of "no pets" (I think he said ever!). Then he took in a stray kitten... Now he'll drain the bank account to help me pay for vet bills. There's hope for your dad. lol Maybe you could ask him why he's hesitant? I like to think of potential objections my family would have, determine for myself if I feel they're valid and *I* need to take them into consideration (could my family actually be RIGHT?!?! lol!), and then beat my family to the punch addressing their concerns. Over the years I've written papers, devised speeches, and for Aysa, did a Powerpoint slideshow. So there's my super-secret strategy. Good luck! Keep us updated.

That is how it has been with my dad too. It took him three days for him to let me get my G. Pig. Then a LONG time (almost a year) for me to get my old Budgie. My first Fert was a reward for good behavior (after almost a year of begging), the second fert he didn't know that I was going to buy. LOL My Teil took him one night, and then Brownie took him and mom both a week or two. Rose was a replacement for Brownie, and he wanted Blackie in the first place.
My dad told my mom a couple of nights ago (this was before I made up the budget sheet) that he was concerned that 1.) I didn't understand the financal part of owning a dog and 2.) he wasn't sure that having one while in school was a good idea.
I hope I took care of the first problem by the budget sheet and talking to him about that, and then the second problem I'm going to address to him about today, probably. Or maybe Sunday, if he doesn't get back from work until late tonight.

And it was no problem addressing your concerns! Like you, I take the concerns into consideration and adress them. If I come across a stumbling block while trying to address a concern, then I know that it won't work unless I myself do some shaping up or do more research on the issue to find more information about it.
I'm actually thinking about printing out the reply I gave you and giving it to him, because that was one of his concerns as well.

Monday is my last day of school (I'll only have one final on Wednesday, and it starts early afternoon) so I'm hoping that I can bring the puppy back home with me sometime Tuesday (as my dad has that day off) to show him. I would bring her to my house on Sunday, but I don't know my friend's number! lol Oops. O.o

Thanks for the good luck everybody!

roman · 05-18-2007, 02:36 PM

lol @ everyone's dad that said no pets! my dad said that when i was 2 i couldnt have a dog...then we got max years later and it was his choice. then he said no birds and i got my first parakeet in the 3rd grade...he died 3 months later because of a temperature change...so i got skie 3 years later and then niko kiwi and decided to take snow from the woman who found her and now im getting my teil...isnt that funny how they think "NO" means not at all lol

i like how you planned everything out!

05-17-2007, 05:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ritz459 Fuzzbutt attack Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,203 Blog Entries: 3 Rep Power: 213	Cross your fingers! (IMG heavy) As some of you know, I am interested in getting a new dog. After a bonfire/campout night that a friend of mine threw for our highschool Juniors and Seniors, I fell in love with a Collie/Aussie mix puppy that was in a litter her dog had. I asked Dad the night I was there if I could have her. He said no. I brought the pup home for the day (Dad wasn't home). My mom and everyone else fell in love with her too. I asked Dad again after taking the puppy home. He said, "I don't think it is a good idea". The other day I told him, "If you thought I was going to give up that easily, then you were wrong." and asked him again. He said, "I'll think about it." See, progress! (Well, kind of. Not really, but still...) So, I'm letting off on the gas for a day or two to give him "time to think" and then if he hasn't said anything to me, I'm going to ask him again...keep your fingers crossed that I can get her! My dad has the tendency to not agree to anything unless it is his idea, and when he married my mom he swore up and down he wouldn't have a house full of animals...and now look. lol I'm hoping that this isn't past his limit and he'll let me get her. The reason he is "thinking" now, I do believe, is because I typed up a page full of expenses that come with a dog....my initial yearly cost was around $1700 (I get free heart worm medicine/flea and tick control, free grooming, free boarding, and breaks on vet bills). I averaged out how much I'd have to pay/save per month and then compared that to my salary to show that I could do it. He is also worried about my time management so I may type of a daily schedule as well. And while the puppy was here, I snapped some pictures of her. They aren't very good as she wouldn't hold still/leave my feet, but oh well. She actually didn't really settle until we chained her up outside; then she was a happy dog who just wanted to play. lol So without further ado, here are the (bad) pictures: (I do believe in the above picture she saw our dogs in their kennel. lol I walked her over by it to see what she and my dogs would do. She was curious, but hesitent. Blackie totally ignored her but Rose "aroooo"d at me in a tone that said, "I'm happy to see you but what in the heck is that THING doing here?") (The poor puppy; that chain almost weighed more than she did!) (That is my sister holding her. As soon as JeanAnne saw me with the pup, she just HAD to hold her. She adores Collies, so she went balistic.) And the only reason I keep calling her "the puppy" is because I don't want to get too attached and then have my hopes dashed (as they already have been three different times). I have already named her, however. lol Raina. I think it is a very pretty name. It means "queen".
	__________________ ~Blackie, Rose, Chloe (dogs), Pheobe (cat), Casey, Dameon (ferrets), Joey ('Tiel), Dot, Louie (cavies), Pickachu (hamster), Rush (R.I.P. 15yrs), Lucy (R.I.P. 4yrs)~

05-17-2007, 05:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
roman Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,208 Rep Power: 66	can i tell you i have one of those strange feelings when i feel all physic like lol i know you are keeping her i can feel it and your dad is really attached to her already even though he might not show it...but dont go by my word lol shes a cutie! and raina is a great name and i see you decided not to go with the name ending in "IE" lol
	__________________ Last edited by roman : 05-17-2007 at 06:12 PM.

05-17-2007, 05:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,526 Rep Power: 160	Ritz have you thought about what you're going to do with your pets after you're in college? Vet school isn't cheap, and if your dad didn't want a house full of animals in the first place... That's something to consider. I brought home my first puppy (Missie) when I was 12 years old, and she's a small dog so it wouldn't be hard to move out with her. But it isn't cost effective, and I can't imagine having her and my other babies if I was planning on going to vet school! It's easy to be optimistic and figure you'll cross that bridge when you come to it now, but especially since you're planning on going to a vet school (which is intensive and expensive!), you may want to re-think bringing home a puppy. Just my .02 from years of having parents say "no" and appreciating that now!
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie

05-17-2007, 06:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
IceyBlueSibes Eyes = Mirror to the soul Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Jupiter, Fla. Posts: 7,591 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 262	crossing all fingers and paws here I'd have to say that your way of thinking it out is about the same way I would. If she'll be 2 years old by the time you're heavy in college, I wouldn't see the problem. As you said, she'd be much older and trained by then. She's still young, but she would not be quite as hyper as a puppy. Looks like you kind of brought on my technique (atleast for your mom!). You brought her home for the day and look what happened. lol Now if you can only convince your dad. If he's anything like mine, you just have to break that hard shell. My dad has ALWAYS said, "No more animals". Especially when we just had Sarge, Sheiba and Denali. Now look at us. lol When I had my first pitbull, and we returned her to her owners (stupidly), he said "No more pitbulls". I tried adopting one (only to find he was dog aggressive), and now I own one. And he thinks Lugar is one of the sweetest (a bit 'slow' lol) dogs around. Keep trying. I think typing up a daily schedule would be great to show your dad. You can put up a calendar and keep your 'duties' listed. This can show your dad you REALLY want this puppy and you would do anything it takes to do things right. I think working at a vets office is a huge plus, especially if you get discounts on vet'ing and free boarding/grooming. BTW, She's stinkin' cute!
	__________________ Sheiba, Denali, Ike, Nitro (Siberian Husky), Kelso (GSD x), Lugar (Boxer/Pit x), Willah (Shepherd/Husky x), Tibby, Cheech, Chong (Chihuahua), and any foster we have in the house! 9 Kitty cats!

05-17-2007, 08:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
DogLover8 Collie owner Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 2,743 Rep Power: 99	Raina is a cute name. She sure is a cute fella.
	__________________ -Dave-

05-17-2007, 08:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
*Rivsky* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Australia Posts: 3,610 Blog Entries: 6 Rep Power: 132	I lurve the name Ritz!! She is so beautiful - I've got everything crossed for you that your dad does come around - it sounds like you've put so much thought into this whole thing and how it's going to work out in the long term as well as the short term - well done!
	__________________ As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

05-17-2007, 10:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
TinyAlbinoDancer Always room for one more Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: CA Posts: 2,526 Rep Power: 160	I forgot to say I love her name, too! It's beautiful. I think if you've got it pretty well managed as to how you're going to accomplish everything you'll be ok. And from the sounds of things you certainly do. The only other "what if" I'd take into consideration is that Raina is a cross of two working breeds, so she may need to be kept busier than your current dogs, and that will change a schedule with her. But it IS do-able if you're commited, and I know you are. I appreciate you typing out your plans and addressing my concerns. When I was very young my dad had a rule of "no pets" (I think he said ever!). Then he took in a stray kitten... Now he'll drain the bank account to help me pay for vet bills. There's hope for your dad. lol Maybe you could ask him why he's hesitant? I like to think of potential objections my family would have, determine for myself if I feel they're valid and I need to take them into consideration (could my family actually be RIGHT?!?! lol!), and then beat my family to the punch addressing their concerns. Over the years I've written papers, devised speeches, and for Aysa, did a Powerpoint slideshow. So there's my super-secret strategy. Good luck! Keep us updated.
	__________________ ~Karen Missie~Trixie~Little Guy~Ollie

05-18-2007, 06:34 AM	#10 (permalink)
trainingrixie sit, stay, roll over Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: jax, fla Posts: 733 Rep Power: 52	awww...that is such a cute pupper! and raina in a very sweet name. good luck persuading your pops...my dad is sooo stubborn! so i know how you feel. he very rarely cracks though. he wouldn't even let me bring home these three kittens at the shelter i volunteer at. their mama died, and they were o nly 3 weeks old. I just wanted to raise them until they were old enough to adopt out he was very adament with his NO F'N WAY!
	__________________

05-18-2007, 08:07 AM	#11 (permalink)
*Swiftwind* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 5,199 Blog Entries: 2 Rep Power: 183	What a cutie she is! I like the name that you've picked out for her. Here's to hoping all goes well, it's tough convincing parents sometimes, but all your effort will be worth it in the end.
	__________________ As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Get more out of Global Paw: Art Classes / Blogs / Book Club / Photo Gallery / Woof Review

05-18-2007, 02:36 PM	#13 (permalink)
roman Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New York Posts: 1,208 Rep Power: 66	lol @ everyone's dad that said no pets! my dad said that when i was 2 i couldnt have a dog...then we got max years later and it was his choice. then he said no birds and i got my first parakeet in the 3rd grade...he died 3 months later because of a temperature change...so i got skie 3 years later and then niko kiwi and decided to take snow from the woman who found her and now im getting my teil...isnt that funny how they think "NO" means not at all lol i like how you planned everything out!
	__________________