New Puppy

[jt57]

Posted this on the other forum.  Was told to move it to this one.

I had a mini dachschund for 18 years.  Lost it in Nov.  I am not over it yet.  Now, I am diagnosed with Hep C and told I need treatment.  I am thinking I need a new puppy.  Something to give me purpose and make me get out of the bed when I am not working.  My son is grown and out of the house.  My boyfriend, while he loved and tolerated my dog, is really not a dog person, but I think it will help my spirits.  

Can anyone of you who have been through treatment give me some insight?

Thanks!

Jean

[ladybug52]

I can see your point entirely, and everyone else's too! I am an animal lover and had a wonderful sweet daschund who was sweet faithful and loyal. When I had hernia repair surgery, he never left my side except to go out and do his business. Unfortunately, while I was washing my shitzu, the dashund got outside and was hit by a car. (Son accidentally let him out while he was bringing the shitzu in.)
I was traumatized. I cried my eyes out and within 4 days I had a new daschund puppy.That dog was the laziest, slowest learner I have ever encountered. He would go outside for an hour and then come in and poop on the kitchen floor. He was cage trained but would do his business in there too. (same scenario, outside then inside to poop)
He was sweet as can be but just never got it, and I tried everything.
Train your puppy while you have energy and hopefully you'll have no problems.
I always tried to get my granddaughter on shot weekends. Just being around her made me feel better and gave me the energy to keep going. She is better than a puppy, but more work!
Good luck,
Bug

[anafromtexas]

I only went through 5 weeks of tx one year ago before I had to quit due to hbg problems.  I had two dogs at the time - 1 older and 1 1/12 yrs old.  I am so glad I had them to keep me company and lay around with, but no way would I have been able to manage a puppy.  I now have three dogs and one puppy and enjoy having them around!  Good luck!

[seabean]

I would get a puppy right away if that's what you wan't to do.  Start training immediately, or you will be sorry during your treatment.   I would not have made it through treatment without my pets!  My  10 year cat stayed by my side during my treatment (I spent most of it on the couch or in bed) when I was at my worst she would lay on my chest.  It was almost like she was telling me to take another breath.....at the time I had an infection in my lungs and was close to dying.  My spirits were pretty low, and to tell you the truth at that point I really didn't care if I lived or died....it was getting too tough, but she gave me a special love that no human could (not even my husband) to pull through.  I Finished Tx, SVR now for over 2 years.   Animals just have that something that we all need sometimes.  So, yes I would highly recommend having a puppy, older dog, puppy, turtle, hamster, bird or whatever you choose.........  Pets are the BEST!!!!!  

All my best to you:-)

[FloridaMouse]

I have a long hair mini doxie and he is going through my second round of treatment with me.  I also have a kitty.  I truly believe that our 4 legged kids help the healing process.  My doxie will lay in bed with me as long as I am there.  It's nice to have the company when my  husband is at work.  My doxie also helps encourage me get out and walk half way around the block a couple times a day.

Yeah, if I was to lose either of my furry buds I'd probably adopt right away.

Mouse

[working dog]

i think dogs are great..i would get a pure breed puppy ...up front cost is nothing..small dog maybe a cairn terrier..maybe 12 to 15 hundred bucks or so...i'm not doing tx yet but when i do i wouldn't even think of it without some pets around..of course there are nice dogs you could adopt but then your going to take a chance at a time when you should know what your getting into...like if you got a dog that didn't work out and you had to get rid of it that might not be easy mentally on you...and a pure breed from a real top kennel you will know what your getting...do a lot of research..check out the pedigree..and watch out...akc doesn't mean the dog will be in good shape..there are lots of puppy pounds out there..and i would stay away from the pet stores too..you can get a good dog shipped to you delta cargo just watch the weather...good luck...billy

[spcecst2]

Sorry to hear about your dog, I am a multi pet owner but these are my last, got three from the pound so please adopt when you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jt57]

Thanks for all your comments.  

I do have a house.  Not a problem.  I can afford a pet.

I think a puppy will give me purpose.  MAKE me get out of the bed., etc.

I know that through my divorce, my dog made all the difference for me.  She would not let me wallow in depression.  She had needs i HAD to meet, and I did.  And the company and unconditional love would be great,,,but then again, I haven't started treatment yet.

Jean

[jt57]

Thanks for all your comments.  

I do have a house.  Not a problem.  I can afford a pet.

I think a puppy will give me purpose.  MAKE me get out of the bed., etc.

I know that through my divorce, my dog made all the difference for me.  She would not let me wallow in depression.  She had needs i HAD to meet, and I did.  And the company and unconditional love would be great,,,but then again, I haven't started treatment yet.

Jean

[jt57]

Thanks for all your comments.  

I do have a house.  Not a problem.  I can afford a pet.

I think a puppy will give me purpose.  MAKE me get out of the bed., etc.

I know that through my divorce, my dog made all the difference for me.  She would not let me wallow in depression.  She had needs i HAD to meet, and I did.  And the company and unconditional love would be great,,,but then again, I haven't started treatment yet.

Jean

[Robin_Fla]

Hi Jean,

I completely agree with enigma, get a calm, older, house trained pooch that needs a loving home. You'll find just the right one! If you want another doxie, maybe a rescue org can help locate one that will fit with your situation.

I have a little dog that has been a good friend to me on tx but she is also a hand full. Some weekends I was really "down for the count" and she hung in there with me pretty well, but she is 6 years old. I couldn't imagine having her or any dog as a puppy while on tx. Just too much work and they're too immature to understand our moods. My little girl is pretty high energy but when I am not feeling well, she'll rest and take it easy with me.

It was rough sometimes when I had to walk her when hubbie wasn't home though, and I was feeling exhausted or ill. He helped out a lot but sometimes, it was hard on me to care for her when I wasn't feeling up to it.

You say that your boyfriend isn't really a dog person (I understand - my husband isn't either) but maybe if he helps you find the right dog, he might feel a little more involved and attached to it? Just a thought.

All the best,

Robin

[Trish77]

I was just about to go and read your post......I don't have a dog but I acquired a kitten at Christmas time...I've been thinking on it for awhile and my daughter decided I'd never get past the thinking stage and went ahead and got me one, she knew treatment was coming and figured it would do me good.  She's lovely .. solid grey, with white boots and face.  Her name is Ivy.  We thought she was about six months but she's about a year old, just a small frame.  She has to be the most cuddliest cat ever.  Whenever I'm stationary she wants to be on top of me... either in my lap, on my chest, curled up beside me ... sometimes it's too much and I put her out of my room and close the door and she waits patiently for me until I'm ready to be adored again.  :) She is a great comfort and she's good company.  All my kids are grown and out of the house too.

I couldn't have a dog because they require far more work and attention than I have time for.  A cat suits me better.  I've only just started treatment and I'm not experiencing any side effects yet so .. I can't speak to the comfort of an animal while on treatment.  Except  ... I suppose with all the mental gymnastics one goes through as a result of all this, she has been a welcome respite from that and a great comfort.

As long as you can handle the expenses that go with them...I think pets are great.  

The only caveat I would say is ... you have to take care of yourself first and foremost.  I would first become fully apprised of what you will need to be doing to take care of YOURSELF....and then see if you are able to fit in taking care of an animal on top of that.  For both your sake and the animal's sake.

Good luck, Jean.

Trish

[Xenigma]

Being a DOG person myself and having to put many down over the years I know how you feel.  
I just put my arctic wolf down 4 weeks ago yesterday.  Heartbreaking  :-(

I am on tx and I advise you to get another pet - but not a puppy.
Get one a bit older who is already trained.  

Everyone reacts differently to tx and at times it's hard too take care of ourselves let alone a new pup.  It wouldn't be fair to the pup, and may be very hard on you.

You didn't say whether you lived in an apt. or house with fenced yard but still.....go to the pound or humane society.  
Get one who needs you as much as you need him/her.
enigma