Should I let my girfriend get another dog???

[Bug]

My girfriend and I already have two dogs together, we don't live together the dogs just stay at my house. We are both in college and she still ilves with her parents, but they dont want any pets, and I live on my own. Like I said we already have two dogs, a two year old min pin (Charlie), and a year old boston terrier/beagle (Belvedere) mix. After a few months of having Charlie my girfriend wanted to get another dog, but I thought that Charlie was enough responsibilty. She begged and begged for almost a year, then finally I broke down and we adopted Belveder. Now both of the dogs are more than a handful to take care of, but now she wants another dog.

This time she wants a really small dog, something like a teacup poodle or something. I dont know how I feel about her wanting to do this because I already have to be more responsible for the two dogs we have because she doesnt live with me, and I dont really want to have to worry about another dog. She tells me that I dont have to take care of the dog what so ever because will take everywhere she goes, unless she's at work or home. But when shes not at my house I will have no choice but to take care of it. The only plus side for me is she said she will pay off one of my credit cards which has a pretty high balance.

So I dont know what to do. Should I let her get it, or should I stick to my guns? Have any of you hade experience with teacup breeds? Are they high maintainence? Please, any advice would help. THANKS!

 

[Saje]

These aren't her dogs. They are yours. You take care of them. You feed them, train them, walk them.... she may help when she's around but they are your dogs. If you do not want another dog then don't get one. And I'm just trying to be realistic but what happens if you guys break up? Will she be able to take care fo them? Not likely and you'll be stuck with three dogs that you didn't want to begin with. :/

BTW there is no such thing as a teacup breed. And it sounds like they are just a novelty to her.

 

[Leslie + Chessies]

Ummmm....no.

 

[femke]

I agree with Saje. YOU are the one that has the responsibility of the dogs, YOU are the one that always has to take care of them 24/7 and so YOU should stick to your guns and say no 2 is enough. a dog is a dog wether it's small or big and it needs to be taken care of. THe financial responsibility of two dogs is already a lot, not to mention three! and like Saje said what would happen if you guys dont stay together, you will more than likely be stuck with the dogs. she might offer to pay off your credit card but that just kind of sounds like bribing you... and not a good reason for you to allowe another dog in your house. If you are not 100% okay with it and happy to get another dog then I wouldn't do it if I were you.

 

[Denaluvscorgis]

I'd also say "no". Even though it would be a small dog, they still require all of the care. We got a third dog, a mini Dachshund and it's a handful for sure to have three of them now...at least it is for our family with our busy schedule. It's hard to make sure that all three dogs and two (oops...now four with Jaime's) cats get all of the love and attention that they need.

 

[mojozen]

Geez... what does she think these dogs are? Beanie Babies? These are dogs - and if YOU (the main caretaker) are already juggling the responsibility of 2 dogs - why in 7 hells would you want to add another dog to this mix?

By adding a third dog you will be adding more work, more time, more money to the mix -- that it soudns like YOU will be providing. The tiny tiny dogs have a higer potential for health problems - which could mean more money being spent just to keep it alive. Also carrying it around everywhere like some fashion accessory isn't good for a dog.

A dog needs to be treated like a DOG not a furry stuffer for a purse.

Also to go back to what Saje said - what if the two of you do break up? Her parents don't want any pets - so she won't be able to take any of the dogs with her (regardless of how small). Also if the bargain is she will pay off your credit card - will she still pay it off if you break up?

Always look to the future - if you are juggling now... adding a third dog will be like adding a flaming torch to the mix. It will burn you if you aren't ready for it - and resentment is one of the biggest fires of all especially when it concerns pets/kids in relationships!

 

[Renee750il]

Sorry to be so blunt, Guy, but it sounds to me like you need to keep the dogs you've already got and pick up a new girlfriend

 

[avenlee]

Sorry to be so blunt, Guy, but it sounds to me like you need to keep the dogs you've already got and pick up a new girlfriend

LOL Renee, I agree! What the heck? Everyone knows they're limits and she can't even keep the dogs she THINKS she has at her home? No No No No No and absolutely NO! If she wants another, she need to convince HER PARENTS in getting one. Geeesh, the nerve!

With regard to your high interest credit card ... try looking into those offers for balance transfers to another card with lower interest. If you have good credit, it shouldn't be a problem. Adding another dog to YOUR home will most likely be 80% interest!

 

[brock23]

She'll pay off your credit card if you store another dog for her? Tell your Sugar Mama to raise her own dogs. You have enough going on.

 

[juliefurry]

I would definetely say no. Three dogs are a lot of work. If she lived with you it'd be a different story but seeing as she doesn't even live with you I wouldn't let her. Just put your foot down. I don't think it was wise for her to get the two that she has now seeing as she can't keep them. What's going to happen if you break up? Is she just going to assume you will take responibility for them? Nope, it sounds like YOU have two dogs and she has no dogs. I wouldn't let her get another.

 

[brock23]

My parents Beagle, though they love her, is the result of a failed relationship between my brother and his ex. Some people need to learn that dogs are not just dolls or toys that can be kept on a shelf and taken down when they feel like playing with them.

 

[JennSLK]

no no no

 

[FoxyWench]

sounds to me like shes just in it for cute puppy time, then when they grow up it becomes "daddys" job and ses ready for yet another cute puppy time...
obviously dogs are just novelties to her, and i truly commend you for being so responsible taking care of "her" other 2 dogs...but i think you need ot draw a line and if shes not willing to accept that find a girl who cares about you and isnt just into buying dogs because there cute.
as for the "teacup" thing...there actually called toy breeds, and anyone claling them teacups is just trying to get more money.
i have 2 chihuahuas, most poeple think because their smale there "easy" these are needy dogs, toy breeds were developed as companions...they NEED to be with someone as much as possible. these small breeds are prone to health problems naturally then pile on top of that the fact that these breeds have latley become very popular thanks to some not so good rolemodels and so many byb's are now trying to get in on the deal by breeding these popular breeds for the money, nd due to this want for a quick buck sub par dogs are being bred and there even more likely to be unhealthy.

i strongly advise AGAINST getting another dog ESPECIALLY a toy breed...if she realy wants another dog, walmart has those my playfull scamp pups...im sure her parents will have no problem with her keeping that in the house...there are plenty of stuffed animals that would do great in her living situation...another dog...no!

 

[Mindy Miller]

When I read the title to this thread, my mean strong woman thing came out and I was thinking LET her?? No man LETs me do anything! LOL

But seriously, they are your dogs since you care for them. I agree. If you don't want one don't get one.

 

[bubbatd]

I agree with ALL of the above. !!!! She's using you .... stick to your guns !!! I don't want people to hang me by my heels upside down, but anyone wanting a cute little pocket pup , think more of themselves than their dogs or boy friends ! She does not need 2 dogs... especially since you are the care giver of both of them. You may not even be together in a year or two. Then what happens !?

 

[jess2416]

I agree with ALL of the above. !!!! She's using you .... stick to your guns !!! I don't want people to hang me by my heels upside down, but anyone wanting a cute little pocket pup , think more of themselves than their dogs or boy friends ! She does not need 2 dogs... especially since you are the care giver of both of them. You may not even be together in a year or two. Then what happens !?

I agree! If she cant keep the dogs herself or take care of them herself she doesnt need one period.

 

[lpollockandrsn]

I would say she can do what she wants to, you really don't have control over the decisions she makes. Thats the "LET HER" part. Yikes,
However, you can control your own environment and I would say NO NO NO, you already have plenty going on. She can have what she wants if she can be responsible for it, but she isn't so it's really a no brainer.
Sounds like she needs to grow up a little and not 'play house' with puppies. These aren't little things to pick up and play with when she feels like stopping by. This is a 24/7 responsibility as you know.

 

[Bug]

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it. And just to clear one thing up the dogs we have now are BOTH of our dogs, and she does take care of them as well. I just do more of the work since they are at MY house.

But I feel the same way when you say that they aren't novelties and they are just as much work as any dog. Im worried that even though she asures me that I wont have to be responsible for it, in some way I will and a lot more than I want.

 

[Debi]

Sorry to be so blunt, Guy, but it sounds to me like you need to keep the dogs you've already got and pick up a new girlfriend

agree!!! sounds like she gets dogs on a whim. sure, why not...it's easy for her since you do all the work. say NO.

 

[Fran27]

Just tell her she can have it once she's done with college and has her own place (with you or not) - sounds like a good compromise.

But yeah I agree with everyone else.