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Martha
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| Posted: May 14 2007 at 4:04pm | IP Logged
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Okay, we are in the very unique and temporary situation of getting either a 18' above ground pool OR an expensive puppy.
the dog, well it's the breed I grew up loving and it is from a very reputable breeder (read as not a kennel farm) it's trained well and comes with a guarantee and a temporary return period if the animal just doesn't fit our family.
the pool, well I'm iffy on it too. how much work is a hard sided (not those "soft pools") pool? that's the biggest size would could fit in our yard, but is that worth it for 10 of us? or would it be like a big crowded bathtub?
We want the money to go to what the entire family wil enjoy and I won't mind the regular maintaining of either.
My biggest fear is that we spend a fortune on the pool and somethng goes wrong rendering it unused.
opinions and advice and general sanity rendering welcomed! 
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Martha
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 14 2007 at 4:09pm | IP Logged
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I'd go for the pool and a dog from the pound!LOL!
I think the pool will be big enough. Just remember that you won't ALL always be in it at the same time.
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Theresa
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Martha
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| Posted: May 14 2007 at 4:17pm | IP Logged
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lapazfarm wrote:
| Just remember that you won't ALL always be in it at the same time. |
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?? Who wouldn't be in the pool? ?
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Martha
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Maryan
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| Posted: May 14 2007 at 4:23pm | IP Logged
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Pool...
and make everyone take water safety lessons (and lifeguard training if they are old enough) and gate the pool IMHO
But otherwise... great summer fun! We always lived near water, always took lessons, have great memories.
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Maryan
Mom to 6 boys & 1 girl: JP('01), B ('03), M('05), L('06), Ph ('08), M ('10), James born 5/1/12
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shartlesville
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| Posted: May 14 2007 at 4:27pm | IP Logged
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We have an above ground pool 18'w x 4'd, and we had a dog. They are both a lot of work and money (food & vet bills vs. chlorine, chemicals, & filters). 
We got rid of the dog because it was chewing up everything in site and keeping the neighbors up all night. 
I would opt for the pool. We are not all in the pool most of the time. It is usually just the kids, just the older kids, or just mom & dad. In fact, I don't think we have all been in it at the same time ever.
Good luck with your decision! If you can't agree, you could always write each choice on a slip of paper and draw out of a hat.
Blessings,
Krisann
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joann10
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| Posted: May 14 2007 at 4:57pm | IP Logged
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I don't know where you live? Here in New York, a pool can only be used -maybe-3 to 4 months.
I would chose the dog for that reason. 
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: May 14 2007 at 5:07pm | IP Logged
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Arizona votes for a pool .
Love,
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Angie Mc
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Lisbet
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I vote pool, even here in Ohio where we'd only get use 4 or so months out of the year. We have a dog, and she's a real PIT- well, you know!
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Elena
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| Posted: May 14 2007 at 5:30pm | IP Logged
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lapazfarm wrote:
I'd go for the pool and a dog from the pound!LOL!
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Me too!!
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Elena
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Rebecca
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Pool, hands down!
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Celeste
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| Posted: May 14 2007 at 7:05pm | IP Logged
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Pool. But I like OTHER people's dogs.
Celeste
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Michaela
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lapazfarm wrote:
| I'd go for the pool and a dog from the pound!LOL! |
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If you prefer not to have both, then I'd go for the pool.
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Michaela
Momma to Nicholas 16, Nathan 13, Olivia 13, Teresa 6, & Anthony 3
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Martha
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| Posted: May 14 2007 at 7:52pm | IP Logged
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Well my dh is bringing the pooch home as I type!
I say "expensive" pooch because of we need the dog and all the dog STUFF, kennel at least until completely trained, tags, food, grooming, shots, and blahblahblah. It's a 5 month old "apricot and white miniture poodle". We are normally no where near "designer dog" people, it just so happens this little fella is exactly 1 inch to tall for AKA certs and at 5 months is no longer considered a puppy so the price is low(er), and he's the perfect size to stand his own ground against Hermione the Cat and little enough not to terrorize the babies - who think it's the cutest stuffed animal ever.
Here's hoping it goes as well as we hope!
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Martha
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Bridget
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I was going to be the loner and say, if it's the perfect dog, get it. You can get a pool next year. What are you going to call him?
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Martha
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Dh named the him on the way home - Chip!
Not the saint names I would have chosen from, but hey it suits! 
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Martha
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BrendaPeter
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Just keep in mind with a pool (for next year ) that it's a big responsibility for mom to be out there watching the kids. When we had a pool, I used to let my big kids use it mostly when the little ones were napping.
We miss our pool, sort of, but modesty issues were challenging. Since we had an inground pool, it was very attractive to adult visitors, who don't have the same standard of dress as we do  .
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mary
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neither
my dh is totally against pools because of the maintenance and the risk of a child drowning. we have been buying a membership to a local pool during the summer (coney island) and have access to slides and tubes and a huge pool and even rides with no work.
i grew up on a farm and i'm just not ready for a dog. my kids are too young to take care of one (oldest is almost 9) and i'd rather have a baby than a dog.
how about a fishtank? pool and pet!
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Martha
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fishtank?! I have a HUGE koi pond. Seriously at least 2 small children could swim in it.
I fully expect to train Chip myself and dh says he's okay with it. We did not get a pup the kids picked, but one WE wanted because we knew the kids would be happy with whatever on four legs.
I grew up around water, so it doesn't phase me much to guard them around it. That's why I didn't understand who wouldn't be in the pool at the same time. The easiest way to watch them is to join them!
I can't believe I own this bit of fluff. I'm a great dane fan, but Chip sure is doing great with the kids. How could anyone be nervous about a bit of fluff? And the poo sure is smaller than a great danes! 
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Martha
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mom2mpr
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Glad you are enjoying your new pup, Martha.
I am getting in on this late but I was going to vote- pool! We have both and though each are work, pool seems to be a lot less
But, lab puppy and pool get along just famously, we leave it open through September just for her!!
Enjoy your summer!
Anne
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: pool vs dog?! what would you want?
