In the dog house🐶

[jeeves19]

I fancy getting a dog (to keep me company as much as anything now that I’ve given up work). My wife reckons that it’s a mistake as - given time - I might become too infirm to be able to give it exercise and then she’ll end up ‘with another job to do’. My wife works full time and will continue to do so for a few years yet. Anyway, does anybody have any insights based on their personal experiences? Thanks gang.

[MBAnderson]

I have an insight for you. My wife and I talked on and off about getting a dog for couple years and listed all the reasons why and how it would be inconvenient. We got a rescue dog 6 years ago. A Beagle Hound mix. Now, she loves it more than life itself. It's not unlike the discussion couples have about whether not they should have children. After they do, they realize it was a no-brainer.

[Eliza-Jane]

My old miniature foxie passed away recently. I won't replace her (yet) as we go away often. If life settles down I will probably get another dog. Niki forced me into a walk every afternoon. I do my 6km walk with friends in the morning but that's too quick for a dog who wants to stop and check out smells, but the afternoon walk with my dog got me out. It's nice to walk with a dog, you get to check out houses and gardens, and you meet new people, especially those with a dog. You can drive to other areas and walk through neighbourhoods you would like to explore without looking suspicious. It would probably be best if your wife was in on the decision-making. As MBAnderson has experienced, your wife may become just as fond of it as you do. I think if you see yourself as becoming infirm, more reason to keep active for as long as you can.

[cjsg]

When we had a dog my husband gave more attention to it than he did me. Just don't make the same mistake.

[Springfield78]

A rescue dog is a gift - both to you and the dog!. Mine has brightened many a day.

[KERRINGTON]

Don't get a puppy.

Adopt a dog who has some decent bathroom habits.

Adopt an older dog 3 - 7 yrs old

Talk to people in your local shelters, they usually have a good idea re mellow dogs

Don't get a beagle, they are great, smart, but always in trouble...we have one.

Go on youtube and check out different home videos of people and their dogs , they're funny.

Lo0k into taking in a dog whose long time owner is very ill, or dying.

Start looking/reading on line about different breed personalities.

Small,medium size dogs wd be best.

Dog care in the US IS $$$

Foster a dog....after a dog is rescued many are putin foster homes where people teach the dog manners, etc. All medical blls are paid by the organization...eventually the dog gets adopted and you give itup.

DOGS ARE SUPER !

[faridaro]

Dogs are great to have if you can afford costs of numerous vaccinations and heart meds. Also dogs may carry ticks which could be transmitters of Lyme, as well as fleas which according to some sources can carry Lyme as well. We used to live next to the woods and our dog carried plenty of both - ticks and fleas, even though she was given regular baths and other treatments.

[CheriinMI]

Our 2 dogs - 12 and 18 mos. enrich our lives so much. Even on my worst days, when the big Bernese puppy wants to get in my lap for a cuddle, I know why I am still here.

[Toogood]

Get the dog...

[jeeves19]

Thanks to all who have made a comment. Much appreciated😊🐶

[LAJ12345]

One thing to consider with cats or dogs is whether the flea treatments are harming you. We have just got my husbands DNA results back and he has a mutation in a gene that processes pesticides so now I am worried about defleaing the cats.

[andrehypnotic]

Dogs need excercises/walksdaily

[jujulini]

consider a cat instead, much less trouble, and if it is an indoor cat, you dont have to worry about toxic flea treatments.

[rhyspeace12 in reply to jujulini]

We got two cats, brothers, as kittens and they are the joy of my husband's life! They are so much fun together, and you can always find them because they stay together.

[jujulini in reply to rhyspeace12]

my daughter wanted a dog, but i know it wouldve been too much work. i have asthma; but my daughter did some research and found several breeds of cats that are hypoallergenic. they have less of the protein that causes allergies in their saliva than other cats. so we got a siberian (looks like a maine coon) and we just love him. now i want to get an oriental shorthair.....

[DianeF]

We have had 4 rescues over the course of the last 26 years. Our last one passed in June. We decided to take a break to hopefully travel, but I’m not sure how long we’ll make it as we are both looking at rescue sites daily. I agree with Kerrington that older dogs are house trained and you don’t have to deal with the chewing puppy phase. Over the years I learned to get a breed that doesn’t shed terribly as you don’t want to be cleaning up hair all the time. Another consideration is size. A big dog that isn’t well trained could jump and knock you over or you could trip over a small dog underfoot. And when you do get an older dog, know that they need some time to trust and bond before their real personality appears. Dogs are a wonderful addition to life and they will keep you moving , walking and laughing. Dogs are really good for the soul

[swva]

My wife and I have decided that our current 14 year old dog is our last dog. Dogs are like kids that never grow up and you can't leave them alone for much more than 6 hours without having a mess to clean up when you get home. Too hard to get away for a few days with a dog. Cats are a breeze compared to dogs. They use a litter box and are pretty much self sufficient. Ours is on my wife's lap any time she is on the couch. If you decide on a cat, I would recommend a Breeze litter box.

[Kevin51]

We have a wire haired fox terrier - my 2nd, her 3rd. I usually stop and talk to at least one other dog owner on walks which is good for my sociability. Choose your breed carefully. WFTs are little b***ers but nicely possessive and the current one refuses to grow up. If I flake out she flakes out beside me as an act of solidarity. She is 8.8kg now which is big enough - she could yank me over if she tried so I would not want anything heavier. Maybe you could borrow a friend's (well trained) dog for a weekend and try it out. Best K

[jeeves19 in reply to Kevin51]

Thanks Kevin and thanks once more to all respondents. You’ve been more than helpful.

[weekapaw]

Hi Jeeves19,

I've had dogs 20 years. Along with the love and companionship, he forces me to walk. I'm in other PD exercise programs. I know all the walking is doing me well. After 4 1/2 years, everyone tells me I look great.

[Kia17]

Adam

I think having a dog is a good thing as at least that become a reason to walk a couple of times a day.I have a cute puppy 🐶 (4-months old) and really glad to have her.Dogs are blessings in our life.

[jeffmayer]

Definitely get a dog there great company I have 2 Irish setters

[Astra7]

I can see your wife’s point, but perhaps you can get an older rescue dog that doesn’t need too much walking. Dogs don’t really live that long anyway and you’ve hopefully got many more good years in you yet!

Or maybe you could provide doggy day care for a neighbour? We sometimes look after the neighbours dog as they work so much, and its been useful to confirm that the kids won’t help much at all!

[Livin_MY_life]

Getting a dog,or any pet for that matter is such a personal experience. On one hand they are great companions and on the other require a lot of attention and cost when they age (or before). It’s such a big decision for any family! Vacation, house keeping, walks, grooming all come to mind. With that said we have 2-dogs and a cat. The cat is pretty self sufficient most of the time but the GSD demands walks and play time and our little guy (cocker mix) not so much but needs grooming. I have a roomba that helps with the house (we call her Rosie) and a grooomer for Chester about 6-8 weeks. My shepherd does the long walks and sheds constantly (thank you Rosie!). Pros and cons to each. Wife has some definate points! If your heart is set, cockers (or mixed!) are a great choice for adoption age 2 or more. Difficult decision!

[falcon946]

My rescue dogs not only get me moving and out, but they have been trained to assist with mobility issues, stability, and seizure alert (one was a natural). I don't remember if you struggle with freezing, but on a walk, the dog keeps moving and has a rhythm so I tend to also (or just pulled along a bit at times but whatever it takes :)) kind of like the theory of riding a bike at some degree of speed. Obviously mine are trained to not stop at every smell on the walks. They are there when I can't move and there to encourage me to "go out and play" so while they can be work, they give me so much more than I can give to them. Added bonus is that when I go out, the dog provides a way to be social.. the attention is on them, not me. And I have a great conversation starter. That said, please look into breeds, what you want to do with a dog and activity levels. A number of shelters want people to come walk the dogs and it gives you an idea if one might work for you as well as size, any allergies you may have to a breed, do you need one that can more easily travel, etc. As stated it's a personal/family decision but you can tell I am glad we have ours.

[jubyduby]

My dog has been a life saver for me. I have to get up and walk her and she is great company when I’m on my own. I’m sure without her I would just sit around all day feeling very sorry for myself. She was a gift from my husband when we knew there was something very wrong with me but still a few years from what would be a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. she has changed our lives.

One possible choice would be a retired Greyhound. They don’t need massive amounts of exercise. Are generally placid and you have a trained dog without the puppy phase.

Or how about becoming a guide dog or police dog puppy walker. There is also the cinnamon trust in the U.K. where you help a housebound person out by walking their dog once or several times a week.

[jeeves19 in reply to jubyduby]

There had been a massive response to this post and it is amazing how strongly people seem to love their pooches! Good to see and most appear to advise that I get one🐶

[alaynedellow]

Erik is my life saver. He gets me out, he is never miserable and never moans! He has been taught to not jump on me and lies down, he waits if i lag behind. He me incentive to get up and go. He is very sensitive to my needs if i tired he goes to sleep beside me. Its not the size of the dog its whether they intelligent- erik is. Choose well n you wont regret it.

[Sueberd]

My husband bought me a little Yorkshire terrier when I was first diagnosed. Although dogs are expensive to raise she has been a joy. She makes me laugh and is fun. You need to know the personality of the breed before you decide on one. We have had Yorkies for years so we are aware of their quirks. Hope this helps.

[judes]

I can see your wife’s point of view having a dog is hard work and can be expensive. As a family we acquired a Border Collie who every one was going to look after, yeah right! Despite my muttering I grew to love that dog and she went everywhere with me and still miss her, would love to have another dog but realistically I’m not in a position to have one. I’m on my own now.

So, I have cats now as couldn’t live without a pet. In a moment of madness I got 2 ginger kits now five months old, oh my, what bundles of joy they are and gives me a reason to get up in the morning.

[jujulini]

jeeves19- did you ever get your dog (or cat?)

[jeeves19]

Have had to defer because I spent a lot on a new guitar. Plan to get one in May when I can afford the breed I really want. Thanks for asking 😊