This is difficult.

[All Hail The New Flesh]

Nobody beat the love of a puppy. I say go for a puppy.

[The Apprentice]

Ok, since now is the time I have finally checked up on this, I have read your opinions and I'd like to explain the situation a little better than the first post, and also that I have made a decision.

1. I have a Hamster. His name is Hank.

2. I'm 14. If I raise a puppy, I'll have him for several years befor going to college and I'll have him after I get out.

3. I really want a puppy. I used to have a shih tzu named Gadget who was an awesome dog, but we had to get rid of him since he had superiority issues with our other dog, Gizmo. We had to sell the two of them, and now we have one dog anmed Tank, an american bulldog. He's a great dog, but not particularly what I had hoped for.

4. I really want a 360 or PS3. I don't have a job yet, so it has taken me a huge ammount of time (Since August) to save up what I have, about $130. But now I have Christmas, and that ammount will drop greatly, but raise slightly higher because of my relatives sending money. Long story short, if I want a system, I can't buy it myself untill next summer.

5. To raise a puppy I have to wait untill summer, OR I could get a year-old housebroken dog and rename him.

So far I had been leaning toward puppy, but since my parents made me realize I won't get a puppy untill summer, I think my best bet is to get a game system, and save my money for a year-old dog (which is bould to be cheaper than a 360) and get it in the summer. Thanks for helping me.

[Ivo]

I think there are more psycho sadistic small dogs than large ones.

I always thought the same thing. They must be frustrated with their size or something, you can't trust the tiny ones - don't turn your back on them or you can find them chewing on your leg muscles (it's not like they will easily reach anywhere else, at least).

Ivo.

[Ivo]

So far I had been leaning toward puppy, but since my parents made me realize I won't get a puppy untill summer, I think my best bet is to get a game system, and save my money for a year-old dog (which is bould to be cheaper than a 360) and get it in the summer. Thanks for helping me.

So... You already have a dog and a hamster. The decision seems very clear. If you don't like your current dog as much as you would like, there is no guarantee you will like the new one after it is no longer a cute puppy...

Also, I don't know how it is in the states, but do you really have to buy dogs? Here (unfortunately) there are always plenty in shelters... And many of them are not mongrels, either (and there are puppies as well).

I don't remember anyone bringing this up either, but why not bring this discussion to your parents - it will show them you're mature as you're really pondering before just choosing, and you can present them your thought process. They know more of the specificities than any of us (and perhaps better than yourself), I bet they will be glad that you ask their advice as well.

Ivo.

[The Apprentice]

Well, I have been talking to my parents, that's why this is a tough decision. If it were up to me alone I'd do something stupid. Like I said a couple posts back, I had a two year old shih tzu we had to get rid of, but he was the most wonderful dog you could ever ask for, except he was male and our other dog was male and the two were marking their territory all over the place.

As for the America thing, yes there are shelters, and we took a look. The only one online that we found that had a female shih tzu was somewhere a ways away from where I live in central Florida, it was way down in southern florida and only adopted to people in the city or a neerby city. So I guess need to look someplace else, since adoption is an option.

[SnowKitty]

hamsters are mean. you should get a pet rat they are usually pretty cool

[nocturnalnerd]

You can lock both in a closet for a month... but only one can be taken back out.

They both will piss you off, but only one pisses ON things.

They both play games, but only one lets you play the game.

They both die, but only one goes to doggy heaven (cause you know ALL dogs go to heaven)

One outputs a 2D representation of a 3D world, the other only sees 2D cause he's a mungral ass mutt who can lick his own BALLS... damn I want to be a dog.

You can lick the dogs balls if you want. it might bite though.

[PharmaceuticalCowboy]

IMHO if you leave for college and your parents even remotely like the dog they will not let you have it back. Happened with my parents and my cat... and my Genesis (mom loves sonic ). But if you're willing to take that risk then why not go for it, you might just have to get another puppy later!