Perhaps a slug would be the

Ruth Anne Maddox — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:41:44 -0500

Perhaps a slug would be the best pet for you -- you wouldn't have to walk it or brush it or pick up its doody and, if you got tired of it, you could just sprinkle it with salt...

In all seriousness, though, pets are wonderful a addition to a family -- especially one with a young child. But, just like a child, you must commit to the dog or cat for life. It really irks me to see so many shelter pets that are given up because a baby was born and the family no longer wants the dog or cat. I always want to ask if people would give up their first child when a second is born because they don't think they'll have time for two.

Growing up, we always had cats and I always wanted a dog. I was sick and tired of cleaning cat hair off my clothes every day. My first dog as a grown up was a German shepherd that I had for 10 years -- my first pet to own from puppyhood till death. Unfortunately, I did not do my dog homework and I got a dog that shed more than 10 cats (I always joked that I could brush a chihuahua off her every day). In addition to the labor-intensive grooming, the dog needed a lot of exercise and attention so, I'm guessing a GSD is not for you.

With a small child in the house, you are probably thinking about getting a small dog -- but beware, because a lot of small breeds tend to be a bit nippy. My mom's 4-pound teacup poodle will bite hands, feet, ankles and big dogs. My sister's Jack Russel terrier has bitten me twice. And I once babysat for some people whose chihuahua would launch its snarling self at me anytime I tried to sit on the couch (I did a lot of homework sitting on the floor there).

My other sister once had a Boston terrier, but they have can some hip issues (she spent $1,000+ for one surgery and followup care).

The best dog my parents ever had was a hideously ugly West Highland white terrier-chihuahua mix that absolutely adored my dad and thought there was nothing better than sitting in the recliner watching "Three Stooges" reruns with him every day (but even she was known to snap occasionally). It also lived to be 22 years old, so the commitment was very long-term.

Anyway, once you pick the breed you think you want (and I recommend rescue dogs over breeder dogs every day of the week), do some research -- see how the breed fares around children and other animals. Check out its temperament rating at www.atts.org. Visit shelters and roll around with it in the visiting area. Take it for a walk. If it's OK with shelter staff, feed it some treats and see how gently it takes them. And, once you do decide on a dog, enroll it (and yourself) in an obedience class. It's best to establish alpha roles immediately and to let the dog know what behavior will and will not be accepted in your home.

If you decide to go the cat route, just pick any old cat out of the shelter and stick it in your house. It will do what it wants, when it wants, where it wants and all you have to do is feed it everyday, brush it every once in a while (if it wants you to) and empty the litterbox. My cat (who allows my husband and I and two dogs to live with her) chooses not to have a rug in "her" bathroom and everytime I put a rug outside her litterbox, she leaves me a little present on it.

Come to think of it, maybe I'll trade in my pets for a slug...

Am I barking up the wrong tree?

Melissa Gilman — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:41:12 -0500

I've been thinking about getting a dog for several years. But it seems like the expectations are so high. I think feeding, walking, petting and playing are adequate verbs for pet ownership. I already have a child and don't want a four-legged one. I'd treat the animal like a beloved pet, but a pet all the same. Am I a monster?

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Perhaps a slug would be the

Am I barking up the wrong tree?