Hey Buttons ...

[blimeyitslymie]

Do I remember that you got a dog a while back? Has it been hard to care for it? In a moment of absolute weakness, when my 9 year old daughter was sobbing about moving away from all her friends, I broke down and asked if having a puppy at our new home would help. Of course, it did the trick.

Now, after we get settled in, I have to make good on my word. I love dogs, but know how much work they are and wondered how the weary survive it.

I need to get a non-shedding breed, as my husband is terribly allergic to dander. I also need to get a gentle breed as my son (who is on the autistic spectrum) hates dogs that jump all over him.

I contacted the guide foundation for a therapy dog, as it would already be well trained, but the list is years long. Any suggestions?

B~

[Buttons2]

Blimey, my very first thought was NO puppy! And I stand by that,here's why: YOUR own health for starters,by the time you get all unpacked & adjusted to the new environment you are gonna need months to recoup! #2 puppies are really cute but they need alot of attention & training. #3 there are sooooo many good dogs in shelters that need to be adopted!

My dog Rags was the last thing on my mind when last year began. I had just started the salt/c that Jan. & was getting hooked on Cesar Millan's dog shows on NGTV. I got "attached" from the start when I saw his ad from the shelter-he looked scruffy & who wants a dog named Rags? Then I mentioned him to my vet's wife,she said this would be the perfect place for him & to please give him a chance! I researched the 2 breeds they'd advertised he was,and decided no way,far too energetic for me!

Then he made front page news when attacked at the shelter & nearly killed! I recalled the weird name of course,so called the shelter & saved him-while he also saved me! I needed a reason to keep going,needed to get out there everyday & walk even if I thought I'd have to crawl,needed to feel I had some purpose in life after losing my brain/body.....

It would be great for your family to have a dog,and you can get dogs that are not shedders (Rags happens to be horrid shedder). Learn about the different breeds. Search the internet for rescue foundations. Some dogs that make wonderful house pets are Greyhound's for instance.

Puppies are round the clock care for months. Just the potty training alone is more than I would wish on anyone suffering from Lyme! What if you just plain can't get off the couch but puppy needs out & kids are busy down the street with new friends? Rags was house trained & knew some commands already,he also always comes when called. A dog is a huge responsibility & expense. Join us on the Pet Therapy forum & you'll find info about service dogs. I consider any dog that gets me out of bed in the morning & moving-a service dog of the highest degree!:D

Good luck,Buttons
P.S. It's very improtant to get the right dog for your family,figure out who will be alpha (the pack leader),if daughter can do this-great! It should be a family decision,and remember cats are soooo much more independent & easy to care for so might consider that also. If you visit your local shelter you might be saving a life. Kid's need to learn these lessons,it's not all about cute dogs on TV. Dogs are also a perfect way to meet the neighbor's,make new friends and get to know the area parks,etc. One more piece of advice-I would stay clear of pet shops selling puppies! And if you need to know the breed of any mutt,well DNA is available now for under $100!:D

[blimeyitslymie]

Thanks so much Buttons. It sounds like you and Rags were meant for each other! I would love to get a shelter dog. I have always felt it is important to adopt animals when possible. (I was very surprised when my friend adopted a shelter dog recently and not only did they have to complete an extensive application, a shelter representative made a home visit to make sure it was the proper environment for the dog!!)

I agree about the degree of work needed for a puppy and it did worry me. The main reasons shelter dogs were not being considered is that most are shedders, and you don't know what their background was. e.g. were they abused, were they biters, etc. I have to be very careful with my son ... he's already uncomfortable around dogs and I don't want one that may have some issues that you don't see up front. I remember when I was a kid we adopted a schnauzer (sp?) who was lovely for the first few days and then began biting me seriously for no reason at all after that. Fortunately, we had a friend who was happy to take him. I have heard many stories from friends who had to return shelter dogs for the same reason.

I wasn't aware that there were rescue foundations for full bred dogs, thanks for that idea. I will do some research.

I'll check out the pet therapy forum, too. Didn't even know there was one here! LOL.

Thanks again.
B~

[Buttons2]

Hi again, you mentioned your hubby is allergic to dander? All dogs (and cats) will produce dander! (Somebody hit me if I'm wrong on this).:rolleyes:

Poodles don't shed but are very hyper. Labradoodles are adorable & were first bred for people with allergies. They are considered "designer dogs" by the majority of dog breeders. They can be either small or large,curly haired or straight. Not cheap dogs!

I also have a friend with a grandson with Asperger's,she's told me he has caused her alot of vet bills by hurting her little Silky! So if your son is afraid of dogs you really would need a laid back breed that can tolerate the noise & actions of a child with autism. The right dog just might HELP your son.

Yes, a good dog shelter will ask many questions about the home they can provide for a dog. We got Rags even though there is no fencing here. He has never left "his" property but I see that as purely an act of God,we couldn't have kept him if he ran off!

Everyone that knows me was shocked when I got this big mutt. He weighs over 100# and acts like a giant puppy! He's never tripped me (such as my cat does),however I'm very careful on steps since he could easily push me over. We made more than one visit to the shelter,he was a mess when first saw him,had been there 6 mos & never bathed. Had a tube in his chest,fur shaved from the surgery,etc. No way could I handle him on a leash (in fact I still can't),my housemate held the leash & we took him for a long walk-with him leading the entire way! Went back to his "isolation" room & just spent some time with him to try & determine what would happen......when he came over & put his long nose in my lap I was a goner! He was quiet which was a biggie for me,he rarely barks. Dogs barking sets off my myoclonic jerks! I gave it alot of thought for a week,did lots of research,emailed back & forth with director of shelter,etc. They ended up giving him to us! And agreed to a 2 mo probation,threw in the microchip & free dog training (a story in itself). In other words we were the only people brave or stupid enough to give him a home! We know he was abused. He's afraid of anything overhead. He still after over a year acts like I'm gonna smack him if I reach out to pet from the front of his head. I figure he has lots of "issues" but then so do I!!

I'm gettin offtrack here sorry......in a nutshell:small dogs are high energy & usually make alot of noise (not the best for your son),large dogs are clumsy & require good obedience for anybody suffering from Lyme (you),all dogs have dander so where does that leave husband? Daughter is the one that's already been told she can have a puppy right? I don't see this as a moment of weakness on your part.....rather what any mother would say after weeks of moving stress,new environment,and trying to stay on your feet when I suspect you'd like nothing more than a moving genie to pop out & unload all those boxes & put everything in order! So maybe you need an older dog with a quiet disposition,and mid-size that doesn't shed!:eek: A dog that's sensitive to your fatique,tolerant of your son,and smart enough to obey your daughter! I've watched dogs work miracles on TV shows about service dogs with children,autism is just one. They can help the child be more socialable (sp),help with getting the child to remain calm & read a book,etc. I'd defintiely ask for a trial run, give the dog & your family a chance to adjust.....and hopefully you have joined a support group in your new area for parents of children with autism,let them suggest breeders or rescue shelters. If they have dogs perhaps your son could visit them? I don't have to tell you this could be a total disaster if your son is scared of the dog!

good luck & please let me know what you decide. Hey,Whippets are small version of Greyhound ya know? Service dogs can cost $3,000-$8,000 did you realize that?

Later,Buttons

[Sonsie]

Buttons, you certainly earned a halo when you adopted Rags. (Actually, I think you already had one, but you know what I mean.) What a fortunate dog!

All dogs (and cats) will produce dander! (Somebody hit me if I'm wrong on this).
Siberian cats do not. I know people who own two, and they are wonderful cats. Expensive. Some unscrupulous breeders mix coon cats with them and pass them off I've heard. These would not be dander free, of course.

I believe some dog breeds don't, but I'm not enough of a dog person to know this for sure. Something tells me that a friend of mine once got a type of poodle for his family due to this. But my memory could be playing tricks on me, you know. :p ;)

[Buttons2]

You are correct about poodles,they do not shed-but her hubby is allergic to dander,there's a difference. I'd think a good air filter might be what's needed. We all shed dander afterall!*ack

What does a Siberian cat look like? My sister had a Maine Coon cat once,he was so huge I couldn't pick him up!

One more thought,a short haired dog will be much easier to check for ticks. My son's Rhottie had a tick & as soon as he applied the tick med the engorged tick fell right off!

I find it impossible to check our doggies for ticks,and they run through the high grass everyday. Last year we ran to a vet that had the Lyme vaccine for dogs (only one I could find),we had removed what I thought was a tick from the little Terrier mix. I put it in a baggie. The vet said it wasn't a tick however (no mention of what is was though). Anyway we decided against the vaccine when they insisted on a complete physical & to have us transfer her records......all about $$$$. And I have to wonder about this vaccine when only one vet in an area this large has them available??:rolleyes:

If it's not one thing it's something else eh?

Yes, Rags is now in dog heaven on this earth. He has freedom to do as he pleases. But guess what? He sticks to me like velcro! Well, that's OK cause I needed a companion......

I hope you get the right doggie Blimey!
Buttons (I assure you there is NO halo hanging over my head!):D

[Sonsie]

What does a Siberian cat look like?
They come in lots of colors. I tried this URL, figuring some breeder must have it, and you can see lots of photos there: http://www.siberiancats.com/ I think they probably weigh 12-15 pounds max. My friend's cats aren't too heavy for me to pick up anyway, and I can't lift much. They are very friendly, compared to other breeds, and they run to greet me at the door when I show up, just like dogs do. It is pretty neat. (They do the same for people they've never seen before also, so I don't consider it a compliment.)

I assure you there is NO halo hanging over my head!
Oh, if you only had the gift to see yourself as others see you, Buttons! :) I definitely see a halo!