General Gp Told Hubby To Get A Dog.

[amethist]

The Doberman is mine ISH, always has been always will be. :roflmao: Though as you know she does come out to play now and again. :D

We did do a search a while back for which type of dog would be best all round for hubby. we found that a female West Highland terrier, would fit all the needs for hubby, as well as our home and family. To be honest I love these dogs, and a female would be just right for him, as it would be his dog, but would have to be part of the family too. They are very faithful, intelligent, good with children and so much more.

We will be looking out for one of these, but as long as it is a smallish dog, it really does not matter what it is.

We have 3 places to go today, and I have another in mind for tomorrow. My youngest daughter and her partner are taking us round the places we have picked out so far, and as they are both of work this week have said that they will take us anywhere else we find later in the week.

I really dont think we will be able to bring one home today, even if he does find the one he likes, as there are a few bits that need doing to make the back garden safe for it to run about in. I did tell hubby this, but he insists we go anyway, as they may let him bring it home if he explains why he is looking for one.

We will have to wait and see. Oh that "Wait" word again. :rolleyes:

 

[Nicolette]

I did tell hubby this, but he insists we go anyway, as they may let him bring it home if he explains why he is looking for one.

It is good however that the idea of a dog is motivating him to go out :tup:

 

[Deaf Global Nomad]

Getting a dog is such an awesome idea!!! Such a great GP to think outside of the box to have your husband's needs met, especially the one to get out of the house and care for his loyal companion.

When I got my giant golden retriever service dog in June of 2005, I knew that he would be helpful with the various tasks. At home he is a trained hearing dog and alerts me to door knocking, fire alarm, possible intruders, an alarm clock, someone calling my name or telling him to touch me. Plus he knows how to get a portable phone if I fall or am sick so that I can call 911. It does not necessarily mean that police or ambulance come, but the idea is helpful. Out of the house he is primarily a mobility assist dog helping me keep my balance by having me hold on to his stiff harness.

What nobody ever told me was of the additional hidden benefits that come along with a dog, especially one that knows he is there to help me. He is always by my side. He knows when I am having a particularly difficult day and is right next to me 24/7. On days I am doing a bit better he knows he can venture a few feet away from me in a store when someone is admiring him. He has admirers at all of our regular places: the grocery store, the Y, the bookstore. Even on my worst day, Bright gets me out of bed several times a day. He knows when it is breakfast and dinner time. Plus he tells me when he wants or needs to go outside. It is absolutely impossible to say no to or ignore my best friend and shadow.

As we are two inseparable soul mates, we take care of each other. Bright has actually saved my life on more than one occasion and he is the main reason I am still here today. Suicide is just not an option when I know how miserable he is when I just drop him off at his best friend's house for an hour on the rare occasion I have to go somewhere where he cannot join me. He lies by the door waiting for me and ignoring his best friend until I return. Communication is perfect. Knowing how much Bright does for me, even when he is just being a dog, I can't resist to throw in some surprise adventures for the two of us. I honestly cannot say who gets more out of going to a lake to swim, going camping (fall and winter being our favorite times of year), going for walks or hikes in the state parks, going fishing, or even the crazy stunts like going cross-country skiing. Nature relaxes me because it is peaceful, decreasing my hypervigilance and anxiety drastically. We spend hours and days doing the various activities, just the two of us. We can go camping alone and he will never let anyone approach our tent or enter our campsite area without barking and alerting me to it. An enormous golden retriever who weighs over 90 lbs and can stand up to be taller than 6 feet, with an apparently deep growl and bark (as people have told me) makes everyone think twice about entering a space where they don't belong. He may act tough when necessary, but the only risk a tent burglar would actually run, is being licked to death or tail-wagged out of the campsite, tent, house, and yard.

Even in the dreaded medical settings he keeps me safe, simply by standing between the medical professional and me until the medical professional respects us and talks to me patiently. Only when I stop dissociating or shaking and signal him calmly to lie down will he do so. If I can do that it means that the medical professional and I have figured out a way for me to handle the touch necessary. If the medical professional tells him to lie down or sit, he will just stare politely and wag his tail. Usually the medical professionals just think he only knows sign language, which is not the case. He is definitely a multi-lingual dog as anyone holding a treat or complimenting him in passing can tell you. If people walk past us in a store or mall and say something about how beautiful or gorgeous or amazing he is, he knows that those words are meant for him. He will stop and stare and wag his tail and thus far he has never been wrong. When he carries a book to the register, groceries to the check-out counter, or the shopping bag to the car he really sache's to get as much attention as he can possibly get. Ironically when I am out with Bright, people do not notice my disabilities or odd behaviors or anxiety because all they see his him. The regular question is if I am training him. If I am in the same places with another human, people just stare at me.

So, in summary, my wonder-dog, Bright is so much more than a dog. He gives me access to the world when I can handle it. I hope your husband's dog will provide a similar key to your husband's world, Amethist. Best of luck!

 

[KP the nut]

I really dont think we will be able to bring one home today, even if he does find the one he likes, as there are a few bits that need doing to make the back garden safe for it to run about in. I did tell hubby this, but he insists we go anyway, as they may let him bring it home if he explains why he is looking for one.

I was going to say the most rehoming kennels will not let you have the dog immediately. Most will insist they do a home check first and this can take a couple of weeks. If you see that special dog, you will be able to claim her but she will stay at the kennels until the checks have been made. Also most adoption kennels will spay a bitch prior to rehoming, eg RSPCA and Dogs Trust.

They will allow you to visit your dog and take her for a short walk.

Exciting times ahead, I see a visit to Pets at Home for treats :D, although I buy treats off the internet, much cheaper.

 

[MouseWedger]

The rescue my husband got for me last year has saved my life more than once. She is my princess, my booger, and the one who always comes to bed and never leaves my side. My Zoey is a black lab/pitt bull mix, and boy does she ever have attitude! She is constantly letting the world know not to come near her mommy, bounces around the house on some strange doggie sugar high, and always steals my spot on the couch or in bed. She acts more like a child than a dog really; she's demanding, snuggly, has eyes that look straight into my soul and I wish to God I could thank the man who dumped her off in a box at the shelter when she was just six weeks old.

 

[amethist]

Well hubby did an about turn yesterday morning about getting a dog.

He has now gone back to his thoughts of waiting until our cat is no longer with us. I do understand his feelings about this, as she has sat for hours with him when he has been so down. She has also come and alerted me to him being ill, be fore he could tell me himself.

All that said his own decisions for the day when I said that I would go out with my daughter for a few hours then, were totally irresponsible. He is now not talking to me, and almost shoved me out of bed when he came back a an hour ago.

So now he comes and asks for whatever he needs, wants anything.

 

[Nicolette]

Please don't tell me he went out on his own?

 

[amethist]

Your as psychic as me Nicolette.

I saw it coming, as soon as he opened his mouth, nothing I could do to stop him either. He only had enough money for 2 pints, as I told him that was all I had on me. I understand this may happen every so often, but because I objected, up went his attitude of "Whats the problem it's not every week". Maybe not every week, but it is almost every time I am going out.

If he could do other things and go out to other places, then this would probably not be so much of a big deal. But it is a big deal, and he cannot see the problem at all.

So if he can do that on his own, he can do everything else from now on.

I am done for now.

 

[Nicolette]

 

[KP the nut]

(((Amethist))) I prescribe a pampering day.

Why not go and spend time in your room. I wish I could say something to help, hopefully by just sending love and healing thoughts.

Love
KP

 

[Ladyhope Somerset]

Sorry to hear the doggie plans have (I'll put it politely) 'slipped up'!!! It's hurtful when plans are made and on the day it doesn't happen.

I hope hubby doesn't take too long to gets his head straightened out. Maybe he was feeling too pressurised by the good intentions of your daughter and her partner or just wasn't up to it that day.

((Amethist))

 

[Blondie362]

I have 5 rescue dogs and they give me a reason to get up every day,, they give unconditional love, don't judge you and give so much in return.