A few years ago I had a rat problem and I cured it with a live trap. I had a bird avary in my garden and the rats found a way into it and ate several birds. I caught 7 very large rats and of course I had to sacrifice them by drowning in a tub of water while in the cage. Evil little critters! I found that the same trap helps me to control the squirrel population to keep it low enough so that the squirrels (commonly referred to as tree rats) get only their fair share of my vegetables and fruits. You can get live traps from your local feed store. I use peanut putter as the bait in the live trap for both of these pests. Don't worry; you are smater than the rats! Although my wife says that the squirrels make me look kind of dumb.

Well first of all, you had me at "I find them instead to be overbreeded, yappy and high-strung". I expected to open this post and find yet another person who wants a chihuahua or yorkie for their 3 year old. LOL Not only because I do love a rescue dog, but primarily because of what you said - a mix may be less high strung because they aren't as overbred. I'll also vote for a rescue. You can still find very small mix rescues. One thing to bear in mind though (as another poster mentioned) is your mother's age. I'm going to bet she'd prefer an adult rather than the higher maintenance of a puppy. In addition, age is a consideration due to the possibility of the dog outliving the owner. I bring this up because its difficult when someone adopts a baby toy breed that will live to be 18 years old, and the adoptor is already in their 70's. When the owner passes, unfortunately this can leave a situation of trying to house a now-geriatric pet. Tiny dogs have better prospects in those situations, but its good to at least try to match up the life expectancies. (Sorry if this is anyway harsh sounding, I'm only trying to be practical and helpful). In addition, with age comes energy-level. That should be a consideration too. There are small breeds and toy breeds that aren't long haired which would be a little less grooming. However, all dogs do have vet bills. For small dogs with short hair, I'm thinking dachschund and pugs. But there are others out there of course and plenty of mixes in between.

Holy moly, I can think of many reasons why WOMEN have dogs, not husbands: 1) Dogs go outside to use the bathroom and never leave the toilet seat up. 2) Dogs always love your cooking and eat with great enthusiasm. 3) Dogs are always happy to see you. 4) Dogs don't snore - much. 5) When a dog passes gas, he doesn't herald it as a great achievement. 7) Dogs know all about unconditional love. 8) Dogs don't care about winkles and dress size. 9) When dogs get sick, they don't ask you to run to the store and get their favorite comfort foods. If you're feeling blue, a dog will sit quietly with you for hours and hours and never tell you to "snap out of it." And the best reason of all: Dogs are faithful, honest and they never ever lie about love. BTW, enjoyed the original post. :)

Moonie this thread has confused me and shocked me. Its always been my belief that having a pet, how the pet is cared for and treated (excluding abuse), how much time or money is spent on the pet, to who or where and how much is given to charity, whether a person wants, likes or loves animials, has them doesn't have them, yada yada was part of our freedom of choice. None of us should be judged on these choices. Yet all of us have been in this thread or at least its felt that way. LOL.