New Family Member

Ever since I was a kid I have always wanted a dog. I had this belief that pets teach kids great responsibility. But my parents and more to benefit my sister would only get a cat. I apologize to all the cat lovers out there but I hate cats. I am one of those people who need the returned love that a dog will give you.

When I finally got out of college I was going to get a dog but ended up having kids instead. Then my life turned into a constant busy cycle of being a single father, working full time, finishing up more school, and other projects. I still have always wanted a dog but part of me didn't want to go through potty training all over again.

Then my daughter made me a challenge that as a responsible parent I could not refuse. She made a deal that she could be and stay on the A/B Honor Roll at school every semester. After three grades of staying on the A/B Honor Roll and with the original idea of pets teaching responsibility we decided to get a pet.

We started out with the idea to get a hamster. They are small which means small poop and hopefully easy to maintain. I told her that she needed to get some books, research how to take care of a hamster, and we will sit down in a week and go over it. She did all the homework, reserach, and we sat down and she did a good job of laying out how to take care and feed a hamster. We went to some pet stores, walmart, and other places the next couple days and weeks looking at hamsters. Then my friend Becca let me know she wanted to get rid of her rabbit and that Kayla could have it along with the hutch. Even thought it wasn't a rabbit I assumed that it wasn't any different from a hamster. So we went to check it out and decided to get the rabbit. We had the rabbit for little over 2 weeks when we decided to find it a new home and get a dog. I felt bad that we couldn't take care of the rabbit anymore but according to my daughter the rabbit doesn't do much. Its a great pet but it doesn't do anything to help kids learn how to take care of it. So we found it a good home and set out on a search for the perfect dog.

Then this past Saturday we went out to the Animal Rescue Center in my town to get a idea of different dogs and talk to a professional. Unknown to us there was some type of pet festival going on and there were alot of dogs, cats, and some cows there. What turned into a fact finding mission on dogs ended up being the day we got FREDDY. FREDDY is a rescue dog that from what we can tell is a mix of lab and border collie. He has small paws which according to the rescue center means it will be a small dog (around 40lbs). he is a beautiful little puppy and looking forward to living out a childhood dream and having a puppy.