Dear Shayna,

I really, really want a dog. My parents say absolutely not. They do not want to deal with all the work a dog brings with it. How can I convince them to change their minds?

Signed,

Hoping for a Hound

Dear Hoping for a Hound,

Show your parents you are responsible. For instance, clean your room or get ready for school on time. Do things that will make your parents realize that you can take care of a dog. If your parents still don’t let you get a dog you can always do the following:

Get a toy dog. If you already have a toy dog, you can play with that one. Finally, if you still want a pet, you can ask for a cat.

Shayna is a fourth grader and understands what kids in elementary school are going through. She is happy to help others navigate this tricky time. She can be reached at [email protected]. She is looking forward to hearing from you soon.