He said her name was "Maggie."

Just a few minutes after we arrived at the pet store and began playing with the lone miniature schnauzer--a 14-week-old female--my son, Henry, was in love.

There were multiple problems with this.

Number one: With so many great dogs in need of a home, I have decided our next dog will be a rescue. How did I find myself at a pet store? Well, after a delicious Sunday brunch with my sister (someone who loves animals just as much as I do), she talked me into walking just down the street to see the puppies at the pet store. Apparently my full belly temporarily clouded my judgment, and before I knew it my sister, Henry, and I were taking a leisurely stroll to the nearby pet store--a pet store that sold puppies--likely from questionable sources, and clearly not "rescues"(although many may someday end up in shelters, unfortunately).

Number two: When Henry wants something, he tries really, really, really hard to get it. As an only child, my husband and I have tried not to spoil him, but we probably could have done a better job at the whole not-giving-in-during-a-temper-tantrum thing. Now, Henry thinks if he sheds a few tears, slinks down to the floor, and looks up at us with that I'm-the-most-neglected-child-in-the-world look, we'll feel bad enough for him that he'll end up with whatever it was that he wanted. As soon as he realized he wanted to take this puppy home, and that I wasn't going to let him, the tears began to flow. Before I knew it, we were placing "Maggie" back into her cage and my three-year-old was in full sobbing mode right there in the middle of the pet store.

Number three: My husband isn't necessarily digging the idea of adding another dog to our household. Our first dog, a male miniature schnauzer named Jack, was a "surprise" I brought home to him after we bought our first home together six years ago. As much as he loves Jack, he is often frustrated by his persistent barking, constant begging for food, and $60 grooming visits. Surprising him with another schnauzer (one that had a price tag of more than $500) would lead to one extremely unhappy husband.

Number four: House training a puppy? No thanks. Both my husband and I work full time, and we have an active almost-four-year-old little boy. Sleepless nights and coming home to accidents on the hardwood floors doesn't sound appealing right now.

Number five: Does Jack need a playmate? Or will he be jealous of a new puppy? He was my first-born baby, and was put on the back burner when Henry was born. I wouldn't want to make him feel left out again, and it seems like a puppy would need so much attention that Jack would end up getting even less.

Needless to say, despite all of Henry's crying and begging, we left the pet store that day with no puppy. To appease Henry, the pet store staff put a "hold" on the puppy Henry loved so much so we could go home and talk to my husband about it. By the time we got home, Henry had completely forgotten about our experience at the pet store, and we certainly didn't remind him of it. Now, I'm just hoping little "Maggie" ends up in a wonderful, loving home.       

Have you always thoroughly thought through your pet acquisitions or have you made some impulse decisions (especially if someone was begging you)?