Dogs.

Dogs.
My family knows that I am not what you would call a "dog person".
I am however, a "people person".  I am the one huge hurdle standing between my family and a dog.  Do I feel guilty about this?
Not. one. bit.
Do my children long and beg for a dog?
Yes. they. do.
After watching "Where the Red Fern Grows", Indy proposed to earn enough money to buy a dog and the electric fence that would be needed to keep a dog at our house - since we have no fence or yard for that matter.  Upon hearing his proposal and the amount of money ($1200 - yes he wants a bird dog puppy to train) I actually consented knowing it would take him forever to earn this amount of cash.  I cheerfully helped him come up with ideas to add to his own findings from a google search of "11 year old jobs".  We printed out fliers:

and he took them around the neighborhood.  He contacted a dog breeder.  The dog breeder was so impressed that he told him he'd give him one of his males from the next litter for 1/2 price.  WOAH.  That speeds up the timeline a bit...I started to get nervous.  Then Indy informed me to get the deal he'd have to wait until the following year.  Phew.
So now we wait, and work and wait, and clean offices, and wait, and work some more...and walk some more dogs.
I'm hoping this phase passes quickly...really really hoping, but in the mean time I will try my hardest to be supportive.
Ugh.