Getting a family dog

[mammacjjc85]

So my husband and I have been thinking about getting a family dog for quite sometime now.  Someone in our area is giving away a 4 1/2 yr old male lab for free.  The only thing people keep telling us is that we can't afford a dog!  Our finances are very tight, we live on less than $2000 a month, most of which goes to our house.  We spend $50 a week on gas for the car, diapers for our little ones, and toiletries.  We have been managing our finances very well since we moved into our house and have not been late on rent or any other bills.  The dog that we are looking into will only cost us a $75 pet deposit (our landlord is awesome) and we will need to buy dishes for him to eat out of.  I'm already home most of the time because I only work part time.  We have been looking for a dog since I got pregnant because I have got very lazy and need some encouragement to go for a walk every day, and I know that dogs need their excercise to stay healthy.  I am being told be every one in my family that I'm financially not ready to take on a dog, but we have gone years without a pet and I think I have been a little lonely at home when hubby is at work!  We do have a little extra in our income and are not completely ignorant when it comes to adding more finances.  I guess I'm just looking to see if anyone agrees with me that it is ok that we get a dog, or let me know if I'm totally off my rocker on how much I'm going to be spending on this dog.

 

Thank you everyone for responding...we actually got the dog last week (Aug. 9) and have thoroughly enjoyed his company.  You never notice hos much peace a new family pet brings until you invite one into your family.  He is a great family dog, and a wonderful addition to our family :)  And for now, my newest child...

[baconbits]

Aug. 3, 2009 at 3:28 PM

A pet is much the same as a baby. You're never really able to afford one and if you wait until finances get better you'll never have one. Just be aware that if you bring him into your home that you need to take care of him the same as you would a child. If he gets sick you'll have a vet bill, a lab is large so that's a good chunk of money going into food, they need walked even if the baby gets cranky, etc.

[thegbogles]

Aug. 3, 2009 at 4:15 PM

My husband and I have about the same income as you and we have 3 kids still at home, 2 cats and 2 dogs. Our pets are all rescue animals. One is even named Rescue he is our german shepard.  We also have a teacup chi. Her name is BB. We rescued the cats to rescue us from the mice. We live on a lake and there is a field across the road so mice are a big problem. 

I think a dog would be a great investment. The return you get is priceless  

 

[StefMc07]

Aug. 3, 2009 at 4:16 PM

We had a lab that we got from my mom when she was relocated for work. Becoming pregnant and living in an apartment with a huge dog was hard. But then again he had the mentality of a 8 wk old puppy at 2 1/2 years old. He wasn't properly trained and wasn't able to walk on a leash. If the dog your looking at is well behaved and trained then I say go for it! Also, we didn't spend that much on food. Mayb $20 a month on a big bag or something like that.

[leovirgo_mom3]

Aug. 3, 2009 at 11:03 PM

I have tight finances as well. Food not much one is outside dog a pit bull and other a rescued chi mix. Only thing that been alot was vet bills when they gotten sick but one was a skin rash and other one just ate something bad my kids left behind.