Dear Queenie,
My parents have always had a dog, but they are getting old and taking care of a pet is getting to be too much for them. Their last dog died recently and now they are talking about adopting a puppy, but I don’t think they will be able to keep up with the mess it will make while they are trying to housetrain it.
Queenie, is there any way I can talk them out of having another dog?—Worried daughter
Dear Daughter,
Instead of adopting a puppy, try to persuade them to adopt an older dog that is already housetrained. Then, if your parents are not even able to take the dog for walks, or to clean up the yard if they have one where they can let the dog out to “do its business” and get some exercise, hire a neighbouring teenager(s) to walk the dog every day and, if relevant, to clean up the yard once or twice a week.
