Hi Kerry, Both Susan & Eileen have given you some good advice with several points to think about. I have placed several pups with couples before they had children. I will tell you, it seems like soon after getting the puppy they come up pregnant! Must be like trying & trying to have a child then adopting and bingo you're pregnant? If you do get a puppy I'd suggest waiting on getting pregnant until the puppy is at least 6 months old. this would give you until the puppy is 15 months old before the baby arrives, a good amount of time to do heavy socialization with children, babies, other dogs, and obedience training too. You might consider training for therapy work. I'd also reccomend spay or neuter at right on 6 months of age. Find a breeder who puts temperaments as a high priority on her breeding goals. That said, I have not had any problems with puppies coming first, then having a baby. It really gets you ready for the new responsibilities a baby imposes like getting up at night to go potty, house training, puppy/baby proofing the house, etc. You need to also be the type of person who will continue to be able to give the dog the time, training, attention, and love he/she needs after your cute human bundle arrives. Not the type that becomes exsausted easily! Otherwise the dog will get very resentful of the fact that you do not follow that same routine anymore and may start being distructive to show his/her displeasure. Berners will definitely "let their voice be heard" in many ways if they are use to one amount of attention and then they are offered less. So......it is a BIG decision that you & your husband need to decide on, and make together. Example: if your baby turns out to have colic for 12 weeks and you are occupied rocking etc. Will your husband be available to take over some rocking time in order for you to spend time with the dog? If this sounds far fetched I'd forget getting the puppy until the child is older. He will have to want the dog as much as you do, and be willing to help with baby & puppy on a regular & equal basis or it will not (IMO) work out for any of you. Having both a puppy, and a human baby will be just as much work as having two human babies, one an infant, one a toddler. : )
Bernerly, Mary Jeff & Mary Chapdelaine SnoBear Berners [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://snobear.freeyellow.com
