S: Daddy, I reeeeally want a pet dog! Pleeeeeease, can I have a dog? Pleeeeease!...
Me: I know you want a dog, honey. They're fun to have, but they're a lot of work. Did you know that puppies will poop and pee all over the place?
S: Yes, but I will clean it alllll up! I will pick up the poop and put it in the toilet!
Me: Did you know that they chew up your toys and furniture?
S: Yes, but I will tell the puppy to stop that right now!
Me: Did you know that they shed hair all over the carpet?
S: Yes, but I will clean up all the hair!
Me: But did you know that sometimes puppies will even bite you and that can hurt?
S: Yes, but I will tell the puppy to stop biting me right now! I don't like that! And the puppy will stop biting me.
Me: Well, I'll tell you what. Some day you will get to move into your own place, and you'll be able to have your very own puppy! How about that?
S: Yes! I get to have my very own puppy!
(Crisis averted...until she realizes how many years she'll have to wait....)
