My kid (15f) has had two dogs their entire life. Recently one dog passed due to old age, considering the heath and average life span, our remaining dog has about 3-4 years left. Our dogs have always been rescues and I love them very much.
Recently, my kid has been wanting an another dog. I have explained to them that I don’t want the responsibility of a dog after they leave home and go to college. That a dog is a minimum of a 15 year commitment and they will not be able to take a dog with them to college. Their heart is broken.
AITA for not getting another dog?
NTA.
I’m a big believer that pets belong to the parents. Kids are too inconsistent and given the commitment required, it’s unreasonable to put the responsibility on them.
So no, if you don’t want the 15 year commitment, NTA>
NTA and it’s a good learning experience for your 15 year old to be told no. Having a pet is a big commitment and they need to realize so.
NTA
It’s really that simple.
NTA
Would it be possible to foster a dog until he goes to college? Many shelters and rescues are looking for fosters, and usually pay the medical bills needed also.
It does mean keeping dogs for shorter duration, but can be rewarding.
NAH yet, but if a young pup is out of the question, are you open to the idea of getting a senior? They get overlooked all the time, but you’d get a few good years in with them before the inevitable.
NTA. Your daughter is old enough to understand the commitment adopting a dog is. And making a 15 year commitment to a dog that you are not excited for isn’t going to be good for you or the dog.
Maybe she could channel her desire for another dog into volunteering for a local rescue organization.
NTA. It would be wild to sign on to such a commitment to avoid managing your kid’s disappointment. Maybe she can start dog sitting for friends/neighbors.
NTA. Kids don’t have to get everything they want. Remind him that after college, when he lives on his own, he can have whatever pets he wants.
NTA, but if you have the room in your home and are open to the idea, you could sit your daughter down and talk through community service and volunteering for college – many humane societies and animal shelters allow kids as young as 16 to volunteer, and your family could become a foster home to dogs who need services before they can be adopted.
There’s always a shortage of good quality foster homes, your daughter could collect hundreds of hours of volunteering if fostering dogs between now and graduating high school, and the experience would look good on college applications.
I grew up with dogs and loved them more than anything. Our last dog died when I was 16. My parents did not want another dog. I was furious and swore to myself I would get a dog as soon as I moved out.
Where I live you start university at 18/19. I moved out at 19, started university and had to work 2 part time jobs. By that time I was mature enough to understand why a dog wouldn’t fit into my current life and why it wouldn’t have fit into my parents lifes as well. I swore to myself I’d get a dog as soon as my circumstances allowed it. When I was 31 I could make it come true.
If you really love dogs, you want them to lead a happy life and be well cared for. And part of loving dogs is to understand when it would be unreasonable to get one.
You are NTA and your daughter will understand that in a while as well. Just stick to your decision and make absoutely sure no well meaning aunt, uncle or grandparent gets her a “surprise dog” because “the neighbor had puppies” or some bullshit.
No one is the asshole . Your point is valid and your kid is used to having a pet so the thought of not having one once the current one passes away is probably really sad for them especially if it’s the first time in their life they will be without a pet. There’s no right answer you can only do what is right for you and your family.
NTA. A dog that is remaining and “geriatric” doesn’t want to deal with a new dog or a puppy. Tell your child to enjoy the time left with your current dog.
Why don’t you rescue an elderly dog? They are so commonly passed over at shelters after their people have died.
NTA.
Coming from an Animal Foster.
NTA.
This is the best lesson you can teach your teenager about the responsibility of owning animals.
Animals aren’t disposable and you are teaching this lesson appropriately.
They love dogs and they will want a dog when they have their own place. You did a great job teaching compassion. Now the next lesson is responsible adoption. Saying “no” to a lifetime (of the animal) commitment is acceptable and appropriate.