I have the choice of getting a new puppy

So my dad's gf told me that, if I wanted, I could get a new puppy. She said she talked it over with my dad and that he might let me have one.

I'm a lonely guy so having my own pet would be great. The thing is...

I don't really want a dog. We already own 2 dogs that are outside all the time. She said that this would be an inside dog, something for me.

Instead, I want a cat. Unfortunately, my dad's gf is allergic to cats.

I haven't seen a picture of the puppy yet, and I'm going to talk it over with my dad later tonight.

I really want a cat instead of a dog though...

Have you talked to her about getting a kitten?

the poor cat

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slayer

Instead, I want a cat. Unfortunately, my dad's gf is allergic to cats.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Catbus

Have you talked to her about getting a kitten?

---

I'll see if I can't persuade them...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slayer

I'll see if I can't persuade them...

---

That's what I'm thinking. I mean, if she's taking an allergy medication then she should be fine, unless she goes into anaphylactic shock around cats or something like that.

Slayer, just remember you need to think about when you move out. That could cause a range of possible problems.

I don't know if it would be that smart to let you get ahold of a cat...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slash112

Slayer, just remember you need to think about when you move out. That could cause a range of possible problems.

---

There's a lot of things to think about.

Food
Baths
Exercise
Pooping and peeing in the house

My dad's gf said she would get the dog a pet taxi to keep it from going to the bathroom in the house. I really really do not want to have to get it something like that. They look like a freaking prison for the dogs. Not to mention they would be a lot harder to clean out that off the carpet because I would have to reach inside and grab it.

She was going on about how the "smell never comes out of the carpet."

I've had 3 dogs in my life. All of them were trained to go to the bathroom outside. They would poop in the house, we would tell them no, and let them outside. They soon learned to go outside so they would sit infront of our door and scratch at it until someone let them out.

The only big problem is that she would be getting one of these puppies from a friend so she would be getting them for free I think. I don't know how I would be able to get a new kitten.

It's not just the whole "big effort" thing.

It's about when you move out, where will you go? An appartment/flat? Odds are pets won't be allowed.

You could of course leave it at your dad's house, but do you really want to leave your dad with just more work to do?

I'm just making sure you are aware of things like this before you make a decision.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slash112

It's not just the whole "big effort" thing.

It's about when you move out, where will you go? An appartment/flat? Odds are pets won't be allowed.

You could of course leave it at your dad's house, but do you really want to leave your dad with just more work to do?

I'm just making sure you are aware of things like this before you make a decision.

---

It's going to be quite a while before I move out on my own >_<

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by slayer

It's going to be quite a while before I move out on my own >_<

---

And a dog lives for over 10 years usually. Don't know about a cat.

And giving away a pet is hard, I know from experience.

Cats live about the same age as small dogs.

This is a big decision- instead of thinking of it in terms of "This is what they will let me get" think of it in terms of, "I might be able to bring a living creature into this household and will be responsible for the quality of its life."

Cats, not so much hard work. Take them to the vet every so often, keep the nails trimmed, ensure its neutered, and clean the litter box. Your biggest responsibility will be cleaning the litter box.

As someone who is allergic to cats but adopted a bunch anyway, I seriously stress not getting a cat if anyone in the household is allergic. This is something that can be expensive, that can make you ill. Peoples' allergies get worse. If she gets a bit congested visiting a cat owner's house, imagine what it will be like having that dander in your clothing, in your pillows, seeping through the air vents, sinking into the carpet. One scratch and you can end up having an asthma attack. Pills are not fun to take, not good to take, and not guaranteed to work. Not to mention, they're expensive. Bringing cats into my life caused my health to take a serious turn for the worse. Even if your dad's girlfriend is kind enough to make that kind of sacrifice, she probably doesn't realize what she will be getting herself into. I highly recommend preventing that at all costs, unless you really really hate her. More likely than not though they'll make you get rid of the kitten. Unless you establish that you are going to college, will be enjoying and staying in college, and living in a place where you can keep a cat and where you can be responsible for a cat, I wouldn't get one.

Dogs. Dogs are hard work. Do you know what breed this dog will be? This is important and you shouldn't get a dog simply because some idiot is allowing their dog to reproduce. That person is already being irresponsible, but to get a dog without considering the breed and possible implications is pretty bad, too.
The thing about puppies is that they take a lot of serious dedication to raise them to be well behaved and well socialized. Depending on the size of the dog, you're limited in where you can take it. Assuming you are leaving for college soon, how big of a problem is that going to be? She says it will be an indoor dog for you- but you already have two dogs? Why don't you give one of them a bath and let it be the indoor dog?

If you ARE going to get a puppy, let me know and I can help give pointers. But until you figure out more about it, I seriously think you should consider it in both the short term and the long term.