i think it depends, like the others have said, do you want the pet, or is it for the kids? if its for the kids, then yes, you will end up looking after it! but if you want one and just wonder if it's good for the kids, then i wholeheartedly say its wonderful for kids. my family have had dogs all my life and it teaches your kids so much, a bit about responsibility and caring for it, about life and death, about being kind to animals, always gives them something to play with/look after, dogs in particular are good exercise of course... on and on we go.
but pets can be expensive, and smelly, and heartbreaking when they go - but they give so much joy too! lost our family dog early July and my mum's house now feels totally empty and dead too.
big decision hun xxx