GMTS Newsletter: Puppy or toddler?

Forget the goetta. Start your day with the Good Morning Tri-State email newsletter! Sign up here .

Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

I just got a toddler.

That’s what it feels like anyway.

He needs constant supervision, poops wherever he wants, you have to watch him around stairs and he eats stuff off the floor.

Sure, he’s furry, has four legs and barks, but he’s quite toddler-esque.

My daughter has been begging me for two years to get a dog. And when I say beg, I don’t mean the usual 8-year-old variety of “Pleeeeeeeeease! Pleasepleasepleaseplease puh-leeeez!”

One of her assignments at school was to write a persuasive letter. It’s one of those long-range assignments they work on for months, constantly tinkering and perfecting it for their portfolio.

She laid out logical reasons and a good grasp of her responsibility.

And it was very persuasive. She gets that from her mom.

But my husband is horribly allergic to most dogs and all cats. Also he’s not a pet person. I’m not even sure he had goldfish growing up.

And yet for Christmas, mom and dad made the bold move of giving the kids a puppy.

I know, I know. It’s a big step. It’s a terrible time of year to train a dog. I’ve heard it all.

But we took the plunge.

Like any good parents, we had the video camera rolling when we brought the little guy in. And unlike those commercials where the kids jump, scream and cry with excitement when their parents tell them they’re going to Disney World the next day, my kids’ reaction was … less memorable.

My younger daughter (the one who didn’t beg for the dog, it should be pointed out) crossed her arms and sarcastically scowled, “Great. A dog.”

My older one (the begger) ran to it with a quiet, yet high-pitched squeal. She told me later she was a bit confused, because she thought it was our neighbor’s dog.

Then it came time to name him. Luckily, because it was a boy, their number one choice, Alexa, was off the list. Whew.

There were two contenders: Buttons and Cooper. Considering how frequently you shorten a dog’s name, I’m rather glad they didn’t go with Buttons.

So Cooper it is. I’d love to tell you we named him that because of our respect for the talented Bradley Cooper, but it’s not. They named it for McKenna the America Girl doll’s dog. Whatever. I’m keeping the former story.

Since then, though, both girls have taken on certain “dog chores,” though I’m under no delusion that this will continue much longer. And the younger sarcastic one is actually really good with the little guy.

So just as we were getting to the point where the kids could wake up on a Saturday and make their own breakfast – and by that I mean open a box of PopTarts – we’re jolted right back to the world of toddlers.

And it was our choice. Just remind me of that when I’m standing in the rain taking Cooper out this afternoon.

From Today’s Show:

-Holy Fiscal Cliff!: Did you get paid today? Have you checked your paystub? Dude – it’s smaller .

-Push-Up Power: OK, this isn’t from the show today, but I want to make sure you see this . Yesterday Sherry Hughes and Adam Marshall decided it would be a good idea to have a push-up contest. Luckily there was an iPhone close by. Guess who won…

Today’s Distracting Link:

Game time! Move the pipes so there are no more open ends.

http://www.gamesforthebrain.com/game/rotate2/