Is this a dog you would be getting for your kids, or a dog you’d be getting for yourself? Sounds to me like you want a dog. I’m sure your kids do, too, but maybe it would be worth it to do the pet care yourself.

I honestly can’t imagine not having a dog. I guess it would be a lot more convenient in a lot of ways, but I’m sure I’d miss it. Maybe I’m offering exactly the wrong sort of advice, here, but this book is really great, and in some ways, it makes you think about owning the dogs it showcases in a different (more realistic?) way. Maybe you and your wife and kids should look through it and just see where the conversation leads you…