going against a child's wishes
Laura Johnson
We are dealing with a situation that is difficult especially in light of our newer way of thinking about parenting. We have found our dog a new home. Here is the story. A few months back, dh called me while I was working to say he found the perfect dog. We had planned to look around for a while, and find one that was a puppy that would grow into a medium sized dog. I was put in the position to agree, since he had already pretty much told our son who is 5, that they would get her, I was working and couldn't really discuss it well. She turned out to be a much older, larger and completely out of control dog. She chews up everything in sight and has even chewed up the outside of our house. She has been living in the backyard ever since. She is very rough with Ben and has even caused him to fall from his play fort and get 8 stitches on his chin. She nips him, in play, but it hurts and he hardly ever played with her or even remembered that she was there. She knocks him down and is just too rough. A sweet dog, just very rambunctious for a kid that is a bit timid around large animals. They just didn't click.
Besides the poor dog was so lonely being outside all of the time. She had complete access to my dh's air conditioned gameroom/shed, it wasn't cruel, just not great for her. We went out of town this weekend and a friend took care of her. They asked if they could keep her. We brought her home, Ben had been concerned that she wouldn't come back. So, I wanted to make sure she did. Dh and I decided that we were not providing a good home for her and that it would be best for everyone if she went to live with our friends. Ben can visit anytime, he and dh go over there often. He is now heartbroken and has been crying all day. I feel awful and so does dh. But, honestly, he hardly ever paid attention to her. We talked about getting a dog that fit our family better and that we found a family that she fit better in.
How do you balance letting your child make choices with doing what is best for the family or the pet? He is just saying things that really break my heart "you shouldn't give away a child's dog, that's not right. she is part of our family and you are just breaking the rules and giving her away. this is the worst day of my young life and you did this to me " I'm just trying to listen and comfort him and let him feel sad and angry at us. He feels everything very deeply. I feel awful. ,He was not comfortable with her and even went out to say good bye and she knocked him down and jumped all over him and scratched him up. The main thing is that we just weren't giving her a good home, adequate, but not good enough. What would you all have done in this situation? We will probably wait a while to get the puppy, he says he doesn't want one right now.
Laura
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Besides the poor dog was so lonely being outside all of the time. She had complete access to my dh's air conditioned gameroom/shed, it wasn't cruel, just not great for her. We went out of town this weekend and a friend took care of her. They asked if they could keep her. We brought her home, Ben had been concerned that she wouldn't come back. So, I wanted to make sure she did. Dh and I decided that we were not providing a good home for her and that it would be best for everyone if she went to live with our friends. Ben can visit anytime, he and dh go over there often. He is now heartbroken and has been crying all day. I feel awful and so does dh. But, honestly, he hardly ever paid attention to her. We talked about getting a dog that fit our family better and that we found a family that she fit better in.
How do you balance letting your child make choices with doing what is best for the family or the pet? He is just saying things that really break my heart "you shouldn't give away a child's dog, that's not right. she is part of our family and you are just breaking the rules and giving her away. this is the worst day of my young life and you did this to me " I'm just trying to listen and comfort him and let him feel sad and angry at us. He feels everything very deeply. I feel awful. ,He was not comfortable with her and even went out to say good bye and she knocked him down and jumped all over him and scratched him up. The main thing is that we just weren't giving her a good home, adequate, but not good enough. What would you all have done in this situation? We will probably wait a while to get the puppy, he says he doesn't want one right now.
Laura
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Julie Bogart
--- In [email protected], "Laura Johnson" <lauraj2@v...> wrote:
away a child's dog, that's not right. she is part of our family and you are just breaking the
rules and giving her away. this is the worst day of my young life and you did this to me "
First of all Laura, {{Hugs}}. It is hard to make a decision like this. If it had been me, I would
have done the same, however.
There is a difference between honoring a child's choices and being able to lead a life that
feels sane for everyone. If there is a stress that is causing you to be unable to function at a
level that is good for the whole family, then something needs to be done. And that
something isn't always perfectly comfortable for everyone.
His expression of those feelings at his young age shows that you all talk about feelings a
lot. Those ideas are pretty articulate for a 5 year old. (Though I can imagine my youngest
having had the language for that kind of thought.)
It is good to listen to him. It is also good for him to hear you. It sounds like you've given
him space to feel. Now I'd ask him to hear how it was for you with this dog.
weren't giving her a good home, adequate, but not good enough. What would you all have
done in this situation? We will probably wait a while to get the puppy, he says he doesn't
want one right now.
One thing you don't need to do is to keep justifying why you let the dog go to another
family. If you do that, you will need to make the dog worse than she was and your son's
feelings less important than they are.
What's true is that you and your son are at cross-purposes with reference to the dog. At
this stage of life, the responsibility for dog care is mostly on you. So you made a choice
based on what you can handle.
That's hard for a little guy to grasp. So hugs for him are in order and some tea for you to
console yourself.
Julie B
>family or the pet? He is just saying things that really break my heart "you shouldn't give
> How do you balance letting your child make choices with doing what is best for the
away a child's dog, that's not right. she is part of our family and you are just breaking the
rules and giving her away. this is the worst day of my young life and you did this to me "
First of all Laura, {{Hugs}}. It is hard to make a decision like this. If it had been me, I would
have done the same, however.
There is a difference between honoring a child's choices and being able to lead a life that
feels sane for everyone. If there is a stress that is causing you to be unable to function at a
level that is good for the whole family, then something needs to be done. And that
something isn't always perfectly comfortable for everyone.
>>I'm just trying to listen and comfort him and let him feel sad and angry at us. He feelseverything very deeply. I feel awful.
His expression of those feelings at his young age shows that you all talk about feelings a
lot. Those ideas are pretty articulate for a 5 year old. (Though I can imagine my youngest
having had the language for that kind of thought.)
It is good to listen to him. It is also good for him to hear you. It sounds like you've given
him space to feel. Now I'd ask him to hear how it was for you with this dog.
>>He was not comfortable with her and even went out to say good bye and she knockedhim down and jumped all over him and scratched him up. The main thing is that we just
weren't giving her a good home, adequate, but not good enough. What would you all have
done in this situation? We will probably wait a while to get the puppy, he says he doesn't
want one right now.
One thing you don't need to do is to keep justifying why you let the dog go to another
family. If you do that, you will need to make the dog worse than she was and your son's
feelings less important than they are.
What's true is that you and your son are at cross-purposes with reference to the dog. At
this stage of life, the responsibility for dog care is mostly on you. So you made a choice
based on what you can handle.
That's hard for a little guy to grasp. So hugs for him are in order and some tea for you to
console yourself.
Julie B
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/18/04 10:38:12 PM, lauraj2@... writes:
<< Ben can visit anytime, he and dh go over there often. He is now
heartbroken and has been crying all day. I feel awful and so does dh. But, honestly,
he hardly ever paid attention to her. We talked about getting a dog that fit
our family better and that we found a family that she fit better in. >>
<< Ben can visit anytime, he and dh go over there often. He is now
heartbroken and has been crying all day. I feel awful and so does dh. But, honestly,
he hardly ever paid attention to her. We talked about getting a dog that fit
our family better and that we found a family that she fit better in. >>
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/18/2004 11:38:13 PM Central Standard Time,
lauraj2@... writes:
What would you all have done in this situation? We will probably wait a
while to get the puppy, he says he doesn't want one right now.
I wouldn't have given away the dog until I exercised all the options
available for training it. Most dogs behave poorly because they're lonely and are
not trained and socialized to the family.
I wouldn't get another dog until I learned about dog behavior and committed
to training the dog properly.
Karen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
lauraj2@... writes:
What would you all have done in this situation? We will probably wait a
while to get the puppy, he says he doesn't want one right now.
I wouldn't have given away the dog until I exercised all the options
available for training it. Most dogs behave poorly because they're lonely and are
not trained and socialized to the family.
I wouldn't get another dog until I learned about dog behavior and committed
to training the dog properly.
Karen
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/19/04 8:02:02 AM, tuckervill2@... writes:
<< I wouldn't get another dog until I learned about dog behavior and
committed
to training the dog properly. >>
Good point.
But if I had told a young child I would get a dog, had gotten an
unfortunate-match dog, and the kid was distraught, I would commit right on the spot to
learning about dog behavior and committing to another dog.
Sandra
<< I wouldn't get another dog until I learned about dog behavior and
committed
to training the dog properly. >>
Good point.
But if I had told a young child I would get a dog, had gotten an
unfortunate-match dog, and the kid was distraught, I would commit right on the spot to
learning about dog behavior and committing to another dog.
Sandra
Anne O
***<< I wouldn't get another dog until I learned about dog behavior and
committed
to training the dog properly. >>
Good point.
But if I had told a young child I would get a dog, had gotten an
unfortunate-match dog, and the kid was distraught, I would commit right on the spot to
learning about dog behavior and committing to another dog.***
And, frankly, learning about dog behavior and training the dog properly is as easy as reading this wonderful, short book (SuperPuppy: How to Raise the Best Dog You'll Ever Have!..... by Peter J. Vollmer), which is a good read BEFORE you get a puppy, but makes more sense afterwards and is not too difficult to use *in the moment*, either: http://home.att.net/~pvee/spbook.html
~ Anne
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
committed
to training the dog properly. >>
Good point.
But if I had told a young child I would get a dog, had gotten an
unfortunate-match dog, and the kid was distraught, I would commit right on the spot to
learning about dog behavior and committing to another dog.***
And, frankly, learning about dog behavior and training the dog properly is as easy as reading this wonderful, short book (SuperPuppy: How to Raise the Best Dog You'll Ever Have!..... by Peter J. Vollmer), which is a good read BEFORE you get a puppy, but makes more sense afterwards and is not too difficult to use *in the moment*, either: http://home.att.net/~pvee/spbook.html
~ Anne
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Angela S
If I ever got a puppy again, I'd definitely crate train it. It gives the
puppy his own space and time away from the kids when he needs it. Plus is
gives you some peace of mind when you are not there to keep an eye on him.
Angela ~ Maine
game-enthusiast@...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
puppy his own space and time away from the kids when he needs it. Plus is
gives you some peace of mind when you are not there to keep an eye on him.
Angela ~ Maine
game-enthusiast@...
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Laura Johnson
---I wouldn't have given away the dog until I exercised all the options
available for training it. Most dogs behave poorly because they're lonely and are
not trained and socialized to the family.
I agree, which is why we tried a few times at first. But, I honestly can say I didn't try all that hard after my son got the stitches. She seemed fairly happy out back, for the most part, but I know she could have it better. We didn't do our best, I'm glad we found someone who could. I want to wait a while before we try again, to make sure we do this right.
---I wouldn't get another dog until I learned about dog behavior and committed
to training the dog properly.
We aren't, one of the problems was that we were not ready for this dog, she came as an impulse from dh. He won't make that mistake again. I didn't even get to go and help them pick out our dog. They were supposed to browse, not buy. Believe me, he has learned that it needs to be a family decision. I want to learn to properly train a puppy, maybe have Ben take it to puppy classes. This dog was a rescue from the HS and dh is insisting we do that again. She was almost a year old and very wild. I really want to go with the puppy like someone suggested. I'm going to really research, just like I thought we were going to last time. Live and learn. I'm glad it worked out okay for her. Dh went by there and she seems happy.
---And, frankly, learning about dog behavior and training the dog properly is as easy as reading this wonderful, short book (SuperPuppy: How to Raise the Best Dog You'll Ever Have!..... by Peter J. Vollmer), which is a good read BEFORE you get a puppy, but makes more sense afterwards and is not too difficult to use *in the moment*, either:
Thanks for the title, I will look for it. Any recommendations on breeds? We want a medium sized dog. Not purebred, mixed. Dh still wants a pound puppy.
---If I ever got a puppy again, I'd definitely crate train it. It gives the
puppy his own space and time away from the kids when he needs it. Plus is
gives you some peace of mind when you are not there to keep an eye on him.
I'm looking into this. I've heard it is good, but it sounds awful leaving them in there so much. But, I think the puppy having his own space would be a plus especially with kids around. And, not having to constantly keep on eye on him. We go on lots of outings, so that would be hard.
Ben was better today and even said he understands a little better why we had to find her a new home. I was so worried we were scarring him for life. He can really turn a phrase that just tears your heart and yes, he did say "this is the worst day of my young life". He also said, "my heart is breaking into a million and a half pieces. I will never get over this." He is very dramatic. Today, he barely mentioned her. I'm sure he needed a break from his feelings today. His imaginary friend, Clocky made an apperance today, so that means he is having a hard time. Clocky only comes around now when he's feeling sad or nervous. He showed up at gymnastics and pushed him off the balance beam. Ben used to have up to ten imaginary friends, quite a menagerie.
He also mentioned wanting a bunny. So, we might get a bunny. I always wanted a bunny and never got one. So, a bunny might be just fine.
Thanks for all of your input and advice. It was very helpful. We did the right thing, I know. But, it was hard hurting him so much. He seemed so upset. He does feel things so deeply and almost always to the extreme. Complete joy, utter sadness, blinding anger, and he so sweet and sentimental, yet a rough and tumble wild boy. We do talk a lot about feelings and he really has learned to express himself well.
Laura
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
available for training it. Most dogs behave poorly because they're lonely and are
not trained and socialized to the family.
I agree, which is why we tried a few times at first. But, I honestly can say I didn't try all that hard after my son got the stitches. She seemed fairly happy out back, for the most part, but I know she could have it better. We didn't do our best, I'm glad we found someone who could. I want to wait a while before we try again, to make sure we do this right.
---I wouldn't get another dog until I learned about dog behavior and committed
to training the dog properly.
We aren't, one of the problems was that we were not ready for this dog, she came as an impulse from dh. He won't make that mistake again. I didn't even get to go and help them pick out our dog. They were supposed to browse, not buy. Believe me, he has learned that it needs to be a family decision. I want to learn to properly train a puppy, maybe have Ben take it to puppy classes. This dog was a rescue from the HS and dh is insisting we do that again. She was almost a year old and very wild. I really want to go with the puppy like someone suggested. I'm going to really research, just like I thought we were going to last time. Live and learn. I'm glad it worked out okay for her. Dh went by there and she seems happy.
---And, frankly, learning about dog behavior and training the dog properly is as easy as reading this wonderful, short book (SuperPuppy: How to Raise the Best Dog You'll Ever Have!..... by Peter J. Vollmer), which is a good read BEFORE you get a puppy, but makes more sense afterwards and is not too difficult to use *in the moment*, either:
Thanks for the title, I will look for it. Any recommendations on breeds? We want a medium sized dog. Not purebred, mixed. Dh still wants a pound puppy.
---If I ever got a puppy again, I'd definitely crate train it. It gives the
puppy his own space and time away from the kids when he needs it. Plus is
gives you some peace of mind when you are not there to keep an eye on him.
I'm looking into this. I've heard it is good, but it sounds awful leaving them in there so much. But, I think the puppy having his own space would be a plus especially with kids around. And, not having to constantly keep on eye on him. We go on lots of outings, so that would be hard.
Ben was better today and even said he understands a little better why we had to find her a new home. I was so worried we were scarring him for life. He can really turn a phrase that just tears your heart and yes, he did say "this is the worst day of my young life". He also said, "my heart is breaking into a million and a half pieces. I will never get over this." He is very dramatic. Today, he barely mentioned her. I'm sure he needed a break from his feelings today. His imaginary friend, Clocky made an apperance today, so that means he is having a hard time. Clocky only comes around now when he's feeling sad or nervous. He showed up at gymnastics and pushed him off the balance beam. Ben used to have up to ten imaginary friends, quite a menagerie.
He also mentioned wanting a bunny. So, we might get a bunny. I always wanted a bunny and never got one. So, a bunny might be just fine.
Thanks for all of your input and advice. It was very helpful. We did the right thing, I know. But, it was hard hurting him so much. He seemed so upset. He does feel things so deeply and almost always to the extreme. Complete joy, utter sadness, blinding anger, and he so sweet and sentimental, yet a rough and tumble wild boy. We do talk a lot about feelings and he really has learned to express himself well.
Laura
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pam sorooshian
On Oct 19, 2004, at 6:44 PM, Laura Johnson wrote:
used it as she wanted. It did give her a nice place of her own,
although the kids did crawl in with her at times. Eventually we took
the cushion out and just had that. But we still sometimes use the crate
when we go camping - she likes it. We have a big tent and put the crate
in the tent with us. It keeps her from crawling all over us - she's
heavy and it isn't nice to have her sit on your face when you're
sleeping <G>.
-pam
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
> I'm looking into this. I've heard it is good, but it sounds awfulWe left the crate with the door open, most of the time, and the dog
> leaving them in there so much.
used it as she wanted. It did give her a nice place of her own,
although the kids did crawl in with her at times. Eventually we took
the cushion out and just had that. But we still sometimes use the crate
when we go camping - she likes it. We have a big tent and put the crate
in the tent with us. It keeps her from crawling all over us - she's
heavy and it isn't nice to have her sit on your face when you're
sleeping <G>.
-pam
>National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
queenjane555
--- In [email protected], "Laura Johnson"
<lauraj2@v...> wrote:
their pups in foster homes. That way the dog is more likely to get
socialization, training, etc, and the foster may have a better idea
of the temperment of the dog.
It also depends what your local "pound" or humane society is like,
and how extensive an adoption program they have. Some shelters do a
thorough evaluation of the dogs, and know what type of home would
best suit them (and would not place a big, untrained, exuberant dog
in a home with a young child, unless the home was willing/able to do
a ton of training)...i've rescued alot of dogs (well, like a dozen)
and have had positive and negative experiences. We adopted what we
thought was a cute, small, shaggy mixed breed older dog from the
local SPCA when we lived in cincy, and before i even got him home, he
had bit me. He bit seamus. He would not let me pick him up without
trying to bite. (Other than that he was a nice little dog.)He would
not have been safe around toddlers at all. I took him to the vet, who
said he was ok, took him to a behaviorist. I had to leave him with
seamus' grandmother when we moved out of state, and she found out he
had end stage cancer throughout his body(i personally believe he had
it when we adopted him). A couple thousand dollars later he was
finally put to sleep on the oncologist's recommendation. I still love
that dog, but it made me realize that i need to be alot more cautious
about going to a shelter and picking out a dog without it being temp
tested. I've had really good experiences too, and have had several
foster dalmatians and no problems with them whatsoever.
You might want to check out http://www.petfinder.com and browse the
dogs listed in your state. There should be several shelters and
rescue groups listed for your area as well.
I think you handled the transition to a new home well....i will never
forget coming home one day as a child, and my new puppy was simply
gone. He was too much for my mom, i understand now, but i didnt even
get to say goodbye.
Katherine
<lauraj2@v...> wrote:
>I would recommend contacting a rescue group in your area, that has
> Thanks for the title, I will look for it. Any recommendations on
>breeds? We want a medium sized dog. Not purebred, mixed. Dh still
>wants a pound puppy.
their pups in foster homes. That way the dog is more likely to get
socialization, training, etc, and the foster may have a better idea
of the temperment of the dog.
It also depends what your local "pound" or humane society is like,
and how extensive an adoption program they have. Some shelters do a
thorough evaluation of the dogs, and know what type of home would
best suit them (and would not place a big, untrained, exuberant dog
in a home with a young child, unless the home was willing/able to do
a ton of training)...i've rescued alot of dogs (well, like a dozen)
and have had positive and negative experiences. We adopted what we
thought was a cute, small, shaggy mixed breed older dog from the
local SPCA when we lived in cincy, and before i even got him home, he
had bit me. He bit seamus. He would not let me pick him up without
trying to bite. (Other than that he was a nice little dog.)He would
not have been safe around toddlers at all. I took him to the vet, who
said he was ok, took him to a behaviorist. I had to leave him with
seamus' grandmother when we moved out of state, and she found out he
had end stage cancer throughout his body(i personally believe he had
it when we adopted him). A couple thousand dollars later he was
finally put to sleep on the oncologist's recommendation. I still love
that dog, but it made me realize that i need to be alot more cautious
about going to a shelter and picking out a dog without it being temp
tested. I've had really good experiences too, and have had several
foster dalmatians and no problems with them whatsoever.
You might want to check out http://www.petfinder.com and browse the
dogs listed in your state. There should be several shelters and
rescue groups listed for your area as well.
I think you handled the transition to a new home well....i will never
forget coming home one day as a child, and my new puppy was simply
gone. He was too much for my mom, i understand now, but i didnt even
get to say goodbye.
Katherine
Fetteroll
on 10/19/04 9:44 PM, Laura Johnson at lauraj2@... wrote:
though their claws aren't sharp like cats, their muscles are powerful and
they can scratch pretty hard.
Feeding them is more than just giving them commercial rabbit food and
carrots (which actually aren't good for them). They're prone to deadly
intestinal problems if they aren't getting the right stuff.
And from the bunnies my daughter and I have dealt with at the shelter
(they're the 3rd most common shelter animal), there are neat bunnies and
there are filthy bunnies.
There are people who adore them, but we haven't gotten past the negatives of
cleaning up after them to figure out what it is about them that people like.
Joyce
> He also mentioned wanting a bunny. So, we might get a bunny. I always wantedBunnies are not the best for young kids. If startled they can nip and,
> a bunny and never got one. So, a bunny might be just fine.
though their claws aren't sharp like cats, their muscles are powerful and
they can scratch pretty hard.
Feeding them is more than just giving them commercial rabbit food and
carrots (which actually aren't good for them). They're prone to deadly
intestinal problems if they aren't getting the right stuff.
And from the bunnies my daughter and I have dealt with at the shelter
(they're the 3rd most common shelter animal), there are neat bunnies and
there are filthy bunnies.
There are people who adore them, but we haven't gotten past the negatives of
cleaning up after them to figure out what it is about them that people like.
Joyce
Jen R.
Can I suggest getting a rat? Rats are relatively clean and when you get them small and handle them a lot, they get to be quite social and friendly. The down side of rats is they don't live very long (around 2 years).
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Angela S
You don't have to leave them in the crate for any specific amount of time.
Only as much as he needs time away from the kids or while you are gone.
It's not cruel. Puppies in the wild are left in dens and they feel very
safe there. Same principle applies.
Angela ~ Maine
game-enthusiast@...
---If I ever got a puppy again, I'd definitely crate train it. It gives
the
puppy his own space and time away from the kids when he needs it. Plus is
gives you some peace of mind when you are not there to keep an eye on him.
I'm looking into this. I've heard it is good, but it sounds awful leaving
them in there so much. But, I think the puppy having his own space would be
a plus especially with kids around. And, not having to constantly keep on
eye on him. We go on lots of outings, so that would be hard.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Only as much as he needs time away from the kids or while you are gone.
It's not cruel. Puppies in the wild are left in dens and they feel very
safe there. Same principle applies.
Angela ~ Maine
game-enthusiast@...
---If I ever got a puppy again, I'd definitely crate train it. It gives
the
puppy his own space and time away from the kids when he needs it. Plus is
gives you some peace of mind when you are not there to keep an eye on him.
I'm looking into this. I've heard it is good, but it sounds awful leaving
them in there so much. But, I think the puppy having his own space would be
a plus especially with kids around. And, not having to constantly keep on
eye on him. We go on lots of outings, so that would be hard.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
AnneO
Crate training:
The *Super Puppy* book tells you how to do that and talks about WHY
the dogs LIKE to be crate trained (their den instincts).
When we *crate trained* our corgi, we lived in a REALLY small home
and we kept his den in a closet. When he was tired and wanted to
sleep for the night, he'd go over to the closet and just STARE at it,
*asking* to go to bed! He didn't realize that he could just *flop*
down anywhere and sleep! To him, his den was his *room*, his space,
and that's where he felt safe and could rest.
Be Well ~
Anne...with the link again to *Super Puppy* book:
http://home.att.net/~pvee/spbook.html
The *Super Puppy* book tells you how to do that and talks about WHY
the dogs LIKE to be crate trained (their den instincts).
When we *crate trained* our corgi, we lived in a REALLY small home
and we kept his den in a closet. When he was tired and wanted to
sleep for the night, he'd go over to the closet and just STARE at it,
*asking* to go to bed! He didn't realize that he could just *flop*
down anywhere and sleep! To him, his den was his *room*, his space,
and that's where he felt safe and could rest.
Be Well ~
Anne...with the link again to *Super Puppy* book:
http://home.att.net/~pvee/spbook.html
SHYRLEY WILLIAMS
Looking at the thread title, I was wondering when it
is right to go against a child's wishes.
For example...Celyn doesn't want to take her
anti-epileptics. She doesn't like the tatse. Yet each
spasm causes further brain damage and she is too young
to make that decision and I imagine would prefer not
to be so brain damaged.
But is it moral?
Shyrley
=====
Suburbia: Where they rip up all the trees and name streets after them.
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is right to go against a child's wishes.
For example...Celyn doesn't want to take her
anti-epileptics. She doesn't like the tatse. Yet each
spasm causes further brain damage and she is too young
to make that decision and I imagine would prefer not
to be so brain damaged.
But is it moral?
Shyrley
=====
Suburbia: Where they rip up all the trees and name streets after them.
___________________________________________________________ALL-NEW Yahoo! Messenger - all new features - even more fun! http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
Julie Bogart
--- In [email protected], "Laura Johnson" <lauraj2@v...> wrote:
Jmho: Do NOT get a bunny. They are not friendly, they scratch and my heart broke
watching ours grow fat in a cage. If you let them out in the house, they race around, chew
the carpet and pee. Unless you have a hutch outside year round and remember to feed her
and keep her warm in winter, you will find out that bunnies are cute to look at but not very
responsive to humans.
Our best "pre-dog" pets were rats. And truly, they are the friendliest, smartest, sweetest
rodents of the entire lot. If you can get over their tails, they make *wonderful* pets for
children. We loved running ours through mazes. Get two together (same sex) so they have
each other to curl up on. And they are inexpensive to buy and keep.
We do own a rescue dog and got to meet him first. It was love at first sight and a great
match. It took us a few tries to find our dog (rat terrier, chihua hua mix) and we're hooked.
Julie B
>bunny and never got one. So, a bunny might be just fine.
> He also mentioned wanting a bunny. So, we might get a bunny. I always wanted a
Jmho: Do NOT get a bunny. They are not friendly, they scratch and my heart broke
watching ours grow fat in a cage. If you let them out in the house, they race around, chew
the carpet and pee. Unless you have a hutch outside year round and remember to feed her
and keep her warm in winter, you will find out that bunnies are cute to look at but not very
responsive to humans.
Our best "pre-dog" pets were rats. And truly, they are the friendliest, smartest, sweetest
rodents of the entire lot. If you can get over their tails, they make *wonderful* pets for
children. We loved running ours through mazes. Get two together (same sex) so they have
each other to curl up on. And they are inexpensive to buy and keep.
We do own a rescue dog and got to meet him first. It was love at first sight and a great
match. It took us a few tries to find our dog (rat terrier, chihua hua mix) and we're hooked.
Julie B
TreeGoddess
On Oct 20, 2004, at 9:35 AM, Julie Bogart wrote:
was so cool and playful. Every once in a while (while vacuuming or
moving around furniture) we'd find one of his little nests where he had
hid sticks of chewing gum, buttons, earrings, just little things. It
was funny to wonder what he was thinking was so awesome about an object
that he just *had* to have it for himself. LOL
DH isn't sold on the pet rat idea, but I'm working on him. ;)
-Tracy-
> [Our best "pre-dog" pets were rats. And truly, they are theI want a rat for myself! My x-bf's younger sister had a Rex rat and he
> friendliest, smartest, sweetest rodents of the entire lot. If
> you can get over their tails, they make *wonderful* pets for
> children.]
was so cool and playful. Every once in a while (while vacuuming or
moving around furniture) we'd find one of his little nests where he had
hid sticks of chewing gum, buttons, earrings, just little things. It
was funny to wonder what he was thinking was so awesome about an object
that he just *had* to have it for himself. LOL
DH isn't sold on the pet rat idea, but I'm working on him. ;)
-Tracy-
[email protected]
In a message dated 10/20/04 7:03:23 AM, shyrley.williams@...
writes:
<< For example...Celyn doesn't want to take her
anti-epileptics. She doesn't like the tatse. Yet each
spasm causes further brain damage and she is too young
to make that decision and I imagine would prefer not
to be so brain damaged.
But is it moral? >>
I think so.
Are there other flavors or media you could get the pharmacy to get for you?
Even with other adults, sometimes a friend or spouse presses someone to do
something they don't want to do, like go to the emergency room or try to stop
drinking. I don't think that's immoral.
Sandra
writes:
<< For example...Celyn doesn't want to take her
anti-epileptics. She doesn't like the tatse. Yet each
spasm causes further brain damage and she is too young
to make that decision and I imagine would prefer not
to be so brain damaged.
But is it moral? >>
I think so.
Are there other flavors or media you could get the pharmacy to get for you?
Even with other adults, sometimes a friend or spouse presses someone to do
something they don't want to do, like go to the emergency room or try to stop
drinking. I don't think that's immoral.
Sandra
AnneO
***> > [Celyn doesn't want to take her anti-epileptics. She doesn't
My kids could always *taste* medicine even when it's *masked*.
Sam always gets such a bad cough after a cold that he can't sleep at
night, but he hates cough medicine...so we started making *cough
medicine cocktails* with Sprite. It's not great tasting, but helps
him get it down, rather than the gagging and vomiting that happens if
he tries to take the medicine straight. :-/
~ Anne
> > like the tatse. Yet each spasm causes further brain damagethat
> > and she is too young to make that decision and I imagine
> > would prefer not to be so brain damaged. But is it moral?]
>
> If it were me . . . it'd still do her meds. Is there something
> you can mask the flavor with or does it need to be taken on anempty
> stomach?********************************
My kids could always *taste* medicine even when it's *masked*.
Sam always gets such a bad cough after a cold that he can't sleep at
night, but he hates cough medicine...so we started making *cough
medicine cocktails* with Sprite. It's not great tasting, but helps
him get it down, rather than the gagging and vomiting that happens if
he tries to take the medicine straight. :-/
~ Anne