[centralnewyorki]

Originally Posted by SoCalyorkiLvr

I am in a very similar situation but I bought the puppy for my daughter. Amy is 17 as well and has one more year of high school. I got Chai for her for easter and she loves her to death. When we picked her up at the airport she held her first and no one else held her until later that day. I was a blubbering idiot because she was sooo much cuter than I ever imagined!

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In your case, it's similar to a baby who is adopted by the grandparents I guess, but you don't want a strained relationship with your daughter so I would encourage your daughter to spend more time with Pippa and treat her like the responsibility she is. If she is not willing to do that then she needs to sign ownership of her over to you immediately. I think a written agreement is a great idea and the sooner the better before the situation gets worse. You are the parent and you can set up fair rules. Rules have consequences and she will know what the consequences are if ahe bresks them. At 17 IMO she should have a say in developing the contract since your job is to teach her to be responsible and at 18 you can no longer control what she does legally (she would still have to follow your rules if she is in your house, but I assume she will leave for college or something eventually).

Part of the contract might be that you will buy Alyssa another puppy when she is more settled after she moves out of your house and can be more responsible or you can pay her the money now since it was her present and let do as she wants with it.

Just some ideas. Good luck.

Kim- That's why I'm so glad you're with us! What an Easter present!! I think I got some chocolate!! LOL!

I completely agree: it would be a good idea to agree to get her a dog a little bit down the road when she's better able to care for him or her.