Greetings, everyone;
I might be premature in wondering about this - the family that came
to visit yesterday might have already made a decision about whether or
not this is a good time for their young family to have a Cavalier puppy -
but I'm wondering if I can run a situation by all of you, and ask for your
collective wisdom...
The family is very nice, living not far from me in the same nice
suburban city, in a very nice area, and he holds a very nice position (I
haff my vays.. of doing some checking, lol!). My concerns were the
ages of the children. But, to back up a bit, I have to say that my only
hard and fast rule about placing puppies with families with children is
that I really have NO hard and fast rules: every situation deserves a
fresh look and an individual decision. The six year old boy seemed very
good with the animals, and one of the twin 3 year old girls did also.
However, one of the 3 year olds didn't seem quite... hmmm.. not as
interested? not as calm? not quite as 'gentle'? and she was a bit...
busy? (even though there were adult hands helping to hold the babies,
the children were allowed to hold them.)
Hubby commented after they'd left (this is the man that changed
his TV from CNN to the Disney channel when the girls went in to visit
with him, and the same man that got out one of the small parrots to
show the children!) that the one girls was just not ready for a puppy, and
certainly not a smaller breed...
So, even though mother would be diligent in watching the child/dog
interaction, and they otherwise (at this point) meet my strict criteria, I'm
not entirely sure this is a good match. I await mom calling me today to
tell me what the family thought, and if they think a Cavalier puppy is
right for them now; but I'm ruminating over a mouthful of chewy thoughts!
On one hand I KNOW that families with small children CAN do just fine
with small puppies (animals, period) - WE have done it! On the other
hand you have different fingers... Oops, I mean: on the other hand, I
don't want to make a mistake in my judgement call, and have the puppy
end up being handled a bit too roughly, or find out that the puppy is
'terrorizing' the one twin... Or any number of other similar thoughts!
Any suggestions, oh wise people?!? Thanks in advance!
Sandra
(The puppy page does have some great new photos, please go visit!
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/darkstar/puppies.html - scroll down for
the newest additions.. )
Dark Star Labradors and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
They'll drive you happy! <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> c2001
Opinions expressed are my own, & are no sillier than yours.
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/darkstar/cavaliers.html
http://www.angelfire.com/sports/darkstar/labradors.html
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