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To Get Another Dog - or Not?
I've had one or more dogs most of my life. I love them, as most do, but am aware of the more unpleasant reality of dog hair, dog poo, dog wee, dog vomit, vet bills, etc etc etc.
I had 3 dogs in the last decade+ who all died of old age / disease in the last few years. Now I just have Cat, the cat. 9kg of ginger rage (he's actually sweet but '9kg of ginger rage' sounds cool :P)
Anyway, as I live only with Cat and my 13yo son, I am wondering if it's daft to consider getting another dog when you have MS and chronic migraines. I know last year when my last dog was in the process of dying (he had a growth on his bladder) he drove me blinking mental night after night wanting to go out to pee, and running up and down the hallway in distress. In other words, he was sick, I was in relapse, I was the only one able to deal with him and his illness made my illness worse as I couldn't get a decent night's sleep. And no, the teenage lad didn't hear anything , of course. I ended up resenting the dog one minute, then feeling guilty for resenting him the next - after all, he was the most adorable Cocker Spaniel - how could you stay mad for long?
So here I am now missing having a dog, but wondering if it's daft to want another knowing the responsibility and the possibility of it being a right pain in the ar$e if I'm sick and it's sick or just a bit too active at night. I am a VERY light sleeper - dog's toenails on the floorboards wake me up.
I'd like a dog for company and 'protection'. ( By that I mean just a woof when something unusual is going on- not a rip-your-throat-out pit bull or anything yuck).
But I'm enjoying for the first time in 27years not picking up dog poo every morning.
But we all know how pets can make our lives better........hmm WHAT TO DO???
Views and opinions welcome.
I had 3 dogs in the last decade+ who all died of old age / disease in the last few years. Now I just have Cat, the cat. 9kg of ginger rage (he's actually sweet but '9kg of ginger rage' sounds cool :P)
Anyway, as I live only with Cat and my 13yo son, I am wondering if it's daft to consider getting another dog when you have MS and chronic migraines. I know last year when my last dog was in the process of dying (he had a growth on his bladder) he drove me blinking mental night after night wanting to go out to pee, and running up and down the hallway in distress. In other words, he was sick, I was in relapse, I was the only one able to deal with him and his illness made my illness worse as I couldn't get a decent night's sleep. And no, the teenage lad didn't hear anything , of course. I ended up resenting the dog one minute, then feeling guilty for resenting him the next - after all, he was the most adorable Cocker Spaniel - how could you stay mad for long?
So here I am now missing having a dog, but wondering if it's daft to want another knowing the responsibility and the possibility of it being a right pain in the ar$e if I'm sick and it's sick or just a bit too active at night. I am a VERY light sleeper - dog's toenails on the floorboards wake me up.
I'd like a dog for company and 'protection'. ( By that I mean just a woof when something unusual is going on- not a rip-your-throat-out pit bull or anything yuck).
But I'm enjoying for the first time in 27years not picking up dog poo every morning.
But we all know how pets can make our lives better........hmm WHAT TO DO???
Views and opinions welcome.
well having slept on it, I spent the morning talking to vets and breeders a=for advice, and they ALL said in my circumstances I should try to find a well-mannered adult dog rather than trying to train a pup.
Breeds the vets recommended were whippets, shi tzus or a west highland white terrier.
My brain says "no thanks" to the shi tzu.
One whippet breeder I spoke to has 1500 facebook friends who are whippet owners/breeders and she has put the word out for a cat proof sensible adult dog.
So fingers crossed!
Thanks all for your advice.
Breeds the vets recommended were whippets, shi tzus or a west highland white terrier.
My brain says "no thanks" to the shi tzu.
One whippet breeder I spoke to has 1500 facebook friends who are whippet owners/breeders and she has put the word out for a cat proof sensible adult dog.
So fingers crossed!
Thanks all for your advice.
I am a dog person. Over the years I haven't been able to be w/o a dog for more than a few months. A lot of work? YES!! A great companion? YES!! Expensive? YES!! So worth it? YES!!
Only you will be able to weigh the pros and cons and come up with the right answer for yourself. Perhaps if you just wait a while the answer will be more evident to you. Sometimes it just takes time. You might find that you get a long just fine without a dog and your life gets filled w other things, or you may find that you just cannot stand not having one.
Sometimes we do need something to motivate us to move more and a dog certainly does that but other times we would like our lives a bit simplier. It's a tough decision. If you do decide to get another one, pick well, as you know getting the one that is the right fit for your life is going to be more important than it's ever been.
Good luck. Julie
Only you will be able to weigh the pros and cons and come up with the right answer for yourself. Perhaps if you just wait a while the answer will be more evident to you. Sometimes it just takes time. You might find that you get a long just fine without a dog and your life gets filled w other things, or you may find that you just cannot stand not having one.
Sometimes we do need something to motivate us to move more and a dog certainly does that but other times we would like our lives a bit simplier. It's a tough decision. If you do decide to get another one, pick well, as you know getting the one that is the right fit for your life is going to be more important than it's ever been.
Good luck. Julie
I think you have had lots of really helpful suggestions but do you know by the time I had read all of the posts I felt a bit like a new mother with a baby when everyone has told me to do something different (feed on demand, feed every 4 hours, let them cry, empty one side first, take a bit from both etc.)
So rather than give any more suggestions I am going to say what I usually say and that is go with your gut feeling. You are a responsible woman and know that having a dog or puppy is a full time commitment as you are introducing a new member to the family, you have had a dog before and I get the feeling that you know what you want to do ...so trust your own judgment.
Love and hugs and let us know what you decide
Sarah x
So rather than give any more suggestions I am going to say what I usually say and that is go with your gut feeling. You are a responsible woman and know that having a dog or puppy is a full time commitment as you are introducing a new member to the family, you have had a dog before and I get the feeling that you know what you want to do ...so trust your own judgment.
Love and hugs and let us know what you decide
Sarah x
If you are considering a dog I would suggest an adult. I just got a puppy and I am telling you it is wearing me out. It has many needs and is so active. My husband who does not have MS was not happy when he had to care for it while I was gone for six days from 5PM until 5AM. I had a pet sitter during the day. All our other dogs were a year or more. Polly was 4 when we got her.
The rescues here are good at matching dogs to owners. My friend Nona has been disabled for years and has adult Doberman's from rescue. She has a fence and a dog door. We also have a fence and dog door and each dog has a crate in the kitchen which is blocked of from the rest of the house by a half door.
All my dogs went through two years of training which is a commitment. Then there is the vet bills. Boomer was sick and his death was $1000, Dante had his shots and needs a dental that is $500, The puppies last visit for shots was $200. His training class will be $100. I have to board them while we go out of town which will be $200. Then there is flea and Heartworm medicine and food. I off set this by no movies, eating out, shopping, etc. Since I worked for Veterinarians for over twenty years I have less bills than other people.
Polly is so easy because she is so well trained so I forgot the leash training of a new dog. We go up the block and back and I am worn out. He will be a Service Dog so I am looking at years of intense training. I got him now because I have the stamina.
The puppy has one household accident a day even with extreme supervision. Boomer the old guy had become incontinent at the end. I had to pick him up all the time and he weighed 75 pounds.
I was awakened at 5 AM by puppy barking. I wanted to go to bed early because I was falling asleep in the chair but I had to stay up to let the puppy out last night. Oh and he has parasites so I have to go out in the yard and clean up his poo right away. I love him but he is a full time job.
Alex
The rescues here are good at matching dogs to owners. My friend Nona has been disabled for years and has adult Doberman's from rescue. She has a fence and a dog door. We also have a fence and dog door and each dog has a crate in the kitchen which is blocked of from the rest of the house by a half door.
All my dogs went through two years of training which is a commitment. Then there is the vet bills. Boomer was sick and his death was $1000, Dante had his shots and needs a dental that is $500, The puppies last visit for shots was $200. His training class will be $100. I have to board them while we go out of town which will be $200. Then there is flea and Heartworm medicine and food. I off set this by no movies, eating out, shopping, etc. Since I worked for Veterinarians for over twenty years I have less bills than other people.
Polly is so easy because she is so well trained so I forgot the leash training of a new dog. We go up the block and back and I am worn out. He will be a Service Dog so I am looking at years of intense training. I got him now because I have the stamina.
The puppy has one household accident a day even with extreme supervision. Boomer the old guy had become incontinent at the end. I had to pick him up all the time and he weighed 75 pounds.
I was awakened at 5 AM by puppy barking. I wanted to go to bed early because I was falling asleep in the chair but I had to stay up to let the puppy out last night. Oh and he has parasites so I have to go out in the yard and clean up his poo right away. I love him but he is a full time job.
Alex
I have 2 cats and a dog one of my cats curls up to me at nightime and sleeps the other cat I am lucky if I just pet him without him trying to bite me. the dog Harley hes a 110lb black lab who thinks he can fit on my lap which he tries to do. he doesnt get along with the mean cat chases him around the house but at night him and me and the cat can sleep until I move my legs and he growls. It is hard somedays to get up and let him out but I love him to death . the kids and I take him for a walk I cant handle him on a leash he will and has pulled me accross the park but even with severe balance issues I still try to go to the park with him . I agree a puppy would be better an older dog you dont know what you are going to get and if you have the strengh and the available resources go for it you . i think you may have already convinced yourself and he is adorable
Yeah it's funny hey, maybe your dog was a bit mental? Everything I've read and every person I've talked to reckons yes, they run fast, but are generally very placid dogs who sleep a whole lot.
I just googled to read some more, and it seems they are the most placid and content to lie around being slobs of all the sight hounds. Apparently...LOL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whippet#Temperament
I like this:
Whippets have been described as the lazy man's dog, because they are easy to look after and to feed. They do need daily exercise, and similar to most dogs thirty minutes walk daily on a lead will keep them healthy and reasonably fit - they will also appreciate fifteen minutes free running where they can really "stretch out".
Actually I like this bit even more:
Being high on the leg, they bring in relatively little dirt after an energetic walk, and their short coats require only a minimum of grooming to keep in trim.
Bit tired of going "oh crap, the dogs brought half a paddock of mud into the house" which my old cocker would do when his coat was a bit long - his feet were like rag mops and picked up everything!
Golly sounds like I'm trying to convince myself to get it.....
I just googled to read some more, and it seems they are the most placid and content to lie around being slobs of all the sight hounds. Apparently...LOL
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whippet#Temperament
I like this:
Whippets have been described as the lazy man's dog, because they are easy to look after and to feed. They do need daily exercise, and similar to most dogs thirty minutes walk daily on a lead will keep them healthy and reasonably fit - they will also appreciate fifteen minutes free running where they can really "stretch out".
Actually I like this bit even more:
Being high on the leg, they bring in relatively little dirt after an energetic walk, and their short coats require only a minimum of grooming to keep in trim.
Bit tired of going "oh crap, the dogs brought half a paddock of mud into the house" which my old cocker would do when his coat was a bit long - his feet were like rag mops and picked up everything!
Golly sounds like I'm trying to convince myself to get it.....
COMMUNITY LEADER
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah i'm jealous! Hey would the breader let you visit a couple of times so you can see what he's like when he's not being a sloth. We use to say ours had an on switch, i'm sure his ears were supersonic, rattle the back door and he was up and ready ready ready. lol
I may be wrong but I thought that whippets were a very loyal, loves to be a part of the family, active breed, thats good for active boys. Dont know where i got that from lol
Good luck making up your mind
jj
I may be wrong but I thought that whippets were a very loyal, loves to be a part of the family, active breed, thats good for active boys. Dont know where i got that from lol
Good luck making up your mind
jj
I know they run fast but are also reknowned slobs! This little tacker is the laziest in the litter. The others ran around but he was more content sitting on a lap looking cute.
I live across the road form the local dog training centre, where you can take your dog for training (obviously ) or just off the lead for a run in a safe enclosed area. Also my next-door neighbour is one of the instructors there and she is willing to help (she LIVES dogs). So I was thinking with basic obedience training, and being able to go across the road to a safe running area, it might be ok.
From what i've read, they are good dogs for slobs - need a good run about 4 times a week but bar that are content to lie around like...me.. LOL
I don't know, will sleep on it a bit longer. I told the breeder I'd let him know by next weekend.
I live across the road form the local dog training centre, where you can take your dog for training (obviously ) or just off the lead for a run in a safe enclosed area. Also my next-door neighbour is one of the instructors there and she is willing to help (she LIVES dogs). So I was thinking with basic obedience training, and being able to go across the road to a safe running area, it might be ok.
From what i've read, they are good dogs for slobs - need a good run about 4 times a week but bar that are content to lie around like...me.. LOL
I don't know, will sleep on it a bit longer. I told the breeder I'd let him know by next weekend.
COMMUNITY LEADER
omg he's adorable but girl friend dont you know that whippets are miniture grey hounds. They need a lot of exercise and I mean a lot of exercise, lots of training and sometimes when they take off they take off. I grew up with one, honey of a dog, sweet natured but lol was she fast.
I've been talking about this again with hubby, and even though i am sure longing the fact is I cant look after one anymore, i need the other family members to be equally committed and they are simply not. I want a golden retreiver or black lab ( dh's childhood dog) but here i sit unable to brush my own hair, how the heck am I going to maintain a dog lol.
He looks adorable though!!!
Cheers..........JJ
I've been talking about this again with hubby, and even though i am sure longing the fact is I cant look after one anymore, i need the other family members to be equally committed and they are simply not. I want a golden retreiver or black lab ( dh's childhood dog) but here i sit unable to brush my own hair, how the heck am I going to maintain a dog lol.
He looks adorable though!!!
Cheers..........JJ
Tough choice all round isn't it.....what supermum says is basically what I keep thinking.
But with that in mind, I today checked out the dogs at the RSPCA, the smaller ones, all of which were much too bouncy for someone with bad balance.
Then i checked out two whippet pups and completely fell in love with one very gentle boy, aged 11 weeks. Met both parents - both nice gentle temperaments. The guy selling them siad he's sold several over the years to disabled people as they are real gentle slobs (like me?). He recommended this one really quiet one out of the litter.
TOld him I was thinking about it still, for all of the above reasons.
However, I took a pic, so check out my photos and you'll see how adorable he is!
But with that in mind, I today checked out the dogs at the RSPCA, the smaller ones, all of which were much too bouncy for someone with bad balance.
Then i checked out two whippet pups and completely fell in love with one very gentle boy, aged 11 weeks. Met both parents - both nice gentle temperaments. The guy selling them siad he's sold several over the years to disabled people as they are real gentle slobs (like me?). He recommended this one really quiet one out of the litter.
TOld him I was thinking about it still, for all of the above reasons.
However, I took a pic, so check out my photos and you'll see how adorable he is!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I have a different opinion, personally I think its not fair to 'borrow' a rescue animal of any kind. If the rescue isn't a puppy an older animal will come with issues, they often need a special kind of attention to establish trust and affection. Sometimes its harder to undo years of neglect or poor training, than starting with a puppy.
I'm of the mindset that to bring any animal into your home you need to be 100% comitted for their life time, good or bad its for their ever. I have wanted another dog for a few years now but I havent because I can't get past the fact that it wouldn't be fair to the dog. Unlike cats, dogs need attention, exercise, maintenance and unconditional love, cats are predominantly self sufficient little creatures that tollerate humans. lol as Bob said, they reside with you.
My daughter is lonely at the moment and everytime she is, she wants a cat to love and keep her company. The problem is, she is wanting to fill an emotional hole that stems from her being lonely, she could get a 10000 cats and it still would not fix the hole.
So what i'm trying to say, (imho) that like babies, animals need the same considerations, you put them first and always their needs first, if thats at all beyond you then you'll need to have help. If you have the help then make sure your bringing in another family member for all the right reasons, and if you do go for a rescue be prepared cause you could be just borrowing someone elses trouble.
I wish I could but i know I cant.
Cheers............JJ
I'm of the mindset that to bring any animal into your home you need to be 100% comitted for their life time, good or bad its for their ever. I have wanted another dog for a few years now but I havent because I can't get past the fact that it wouldn't be fair to the dog. Unlike cats, dogs need attention, exercise, maintenance and unconditional love, cats are predominantly self sufficient little creatures that tollerate humans. lol as Bob said, they reside with you.
My daughter is lonely at the moment and everytime she is, she wants a cat to love and keep her company. The problem is, she is wanting to fill an emotional hole that stems from her being lonely, she could get a 10000 cats and it still would not fix the hole.
So what i'm trying to say, (imho) that like babies, animals need the same considerations, you put them first and always their needs first, if thats at all beyond you then you'll need to have help. If you have the help then make sure your bringing in another family member for all the right reasons, and if you do go for a rescue be prepared cause you could be just borrowing someone elses trouble.
I wish I could but i know I cant.
Cheers............JJ
Addi's idea is amazing: You can rescue a dog for some time and see how you are doing with him/her. If it's too much work, the dog may still go to another home and you will realize you cannot keep a dog at this point. Plus, you'll be doing the dog a huge favour! :)
Studies show pets lower your blood pressure and stress level. You don't "keep" a cat. They independently reside with you. A dog is truly a best friend. Puppies make a mess and keep you active. I know, I'm chasing a 12 week old around. If you are up to it, go for it.
Bob
Bob
Oops! I forgot to mention that if you go check out my pictures you will find my rip-out-your-throat pit mix. Lol. She fits better in the lick-you-to-death category. :) And she bout wiggles out of her skin when she wags her tail, which she does all day long!
Now my Yorkie is another story! She is the rip-out-your-throat in our family!
Just sayin'! :)
Addi
Hmmm. Lots to think about. And I applaud you for weighing the pros and cons instead od running out and getting the dog and realize it was the wrong decision. Especially if you are anything like me, which it sounds as if you are. It is a lifetime (the dog's) commitment.
I wonder if you could start out maybe fostering a dog from your local humane society, rescue group or dog shelter? This, I think, would be perfect for you as if you get into a flare, the dog can be moved.
This would, most likely, be a perfect answer for you....as long as you could give the dog back when it is time to be adopted.
Just a thought,
Addi
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