So your kid says he/she wants a puppy?  To tell you the truth, I have to confess, I love puppies.  But I hate the idea of picking up puppy poo.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love the cuddly, soft, furry, little pooches.  But here is my problem.  I know for sure, if we ever got one, I would be the one to take it for a walks.  I would be the one to pick up the doggy poo.  It would be me that gives it a bath, feeds it and so on, and so forth. So I have always made it a point to avoid the issue.

So why do we have one at our house?  Well let me tell you the rest of the story. 

As much as I like them, buying a dog was not my idea, nor was it my wife’s.  It was the brain child of our 10-year-old daughter, Missy.  To say it was Missy’s idea is really an understatement.  It was her life’s mission.  For more than three years she lobbied relentlessly; “I wish I had a puppy” and “I really want one Daddy…” she would say.

It all started with a book Missy’s aunt gave her about dogs.  It had more breeds than I could count.  Plus it not only had a zillion dogs, it had cats, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and a many other small and not so small pets in it.  I just knew if I gave in and brought home a puppy the flood gates would open and Missy would want something else.  A rat maybe (her mom would really freak out on that), or a hamster to keep me awake all night as they run on those little treadmills, or heaven forbid a snake or some other reptile. 

Before long Missy had memorized almost all the dog breeds in the book.  I was amazed, then, came more books.  When most children her age are playing with Barbie, Missy was visiting our local library with her mom checking out every book about dogs she could get her little hands on. 

Over the course of several weeks Missy had checked out every book on dogs they had on the shelves.  Our ten year old daughter was turning into a canine encyclopedia.  Missy knew which dogs needed lots of space to run around, which were good with young kids, which bark, growl, and shed the least and which are the kindest, smartest, and most calm. 

Finally I couldn’t take it anymore.  I gave in.  My wife and I took our little 5th grader to the local animal shelter where we found the cutest little miniature poodle you have ever seen.  Missy named her Cocoa. 

The people at the shelter were wonderful.  They provided us with all the necessary information to care for her.  We were good to go; so I thought…

As we were driving out of the parking lot Missy said with excitement, “Dad we need to get Cocoa a bed.”  Not wanting to disappoint my daughter on one of the happiest days of her little life, I drove us all to the local pet supply store.  It was the first time I had ever been in one.  It was a pet store on steroids.  They had everything you can imagine and more.

We walked around and found pet bed department.  Missy chose what they call a nest style bed that was ultra soft, warm, comfortable, and washable by QPet. 

Next we had to get a collar.  Missy picked one out with rhinestones.  It was very chic again from QPet . 
“We can’t take the dog out without a classy puppy carrier” my wife suggested.  Thanks to QPet we found the coolest (according to my wife) elegant imitation leather pattern carrier.  It looked more like a high end handbag from Neman Marcus than a doggy carrier.  Leave it to QPet.  They really know how to make something simple look really cool. 

After picking out the right puppy food and of course puppy P.J.s it was time to go home. 

When we arrived home we all helped carry in all the loot we purchased at the pet store.  Missy put cocoa’s bed next to her bed in her room.  They both played together until they both fell asleep together in the little bed we bought for Cocoa.  Thanks to QPet, Cocoa has all the doggy duds a little miniature poodle could ever want. 

Thanks QPet, you guys are the best.

Visit QPet Supplies to see more cute carriers, beds, and apparel -www.qpetsupplies.com