Am I just overthinking things in being scared to get a new dog while having MS?

My mom is driving me nuts about wanting a new dog, and I want one too, but the whole fear that as soon as I bring a dog home, the MS will do something to me and I'd have to give up the dog is kind of scaring me a bit.

I've been looking at new dogs for three years. I go to pet stores all the time to see if they have anything I might like. Today I found a standard poodle and three toy/miniature poodles. I'd love the standard because I like the big doggies, but I'm not sure I have the energy for a big guy again.

I am also scared that my mom wouldnt be able to control a large dog. (I wouldnt let her do anything with TinyMonsters that required being outside on a leash. Tiny broke one of her ribs once yanking her off her feet...he didnt mean it...the lawn mower next door was just too irresistible for him to not chase it)

I think my mom could handle a little dog. I think I could probably do it too, except for the MS.

I like the puppies I saw, not sure which one I want. I looked at one of them, just because I love to snorgle (hold, pet, play with) puppies and this poodle looked like she was healthy (it was a group of three girls. I can only get one) and I even have names picked out if I manage to get one (either TinyMonsters 2.0 or Sam...leaning towards Sam) These puppies looked so much more healthier than the poodles I've seen in the other petstore in town that's known for dealing in puppy mill pups. These puppies looked healthy and didnt look...weird, like a lot of the other poodles I've seen in the other petstore. They had just arrived at the store 3 hours before I saw them, and they'd had a long day of being ripped away from their mommy and being checked over by the vet before getting their naps and dinner at the petstore.

Is it difficult to deal with a dog when you have MS? I'm totally mobile now. Most of my problems have been numbness and the occasional optic neuritis and migraines.

I actually think my biggest problem wouldnt be the MS part, but the back pain I've had since a car accident I had in 99 that's gotten worse in the past few years, so bending down to pick up a little dog might get bothersome.

I was outside today, and it was the first hot day of the year. (91* outside!!!) I was stupid and decided to trim the rose bushes in the front yard with the sun blasting down on me. Arms got tired and my arms were shaking for about two hours afterwards. (I have been lazy lately and got out of shape. Please tell me that if I work out a bit more that that wont be a permanent thing)

I'm a little worried that I'll have MS crap come up and wont be able to deal with the training and feeding and caring for the puppy and that my parents might not be able to do that either. Should I just chill and grab the puppy and take it home and snorgle it and just have fun with it?

I did not tell my mom that I found these puppies (at a petstore) today. She'd be down there camping out on their doorstep waiting for them to open if I did. I told my dad, and we're both considering getting a puppy. I want to decide in the next few days, because the puppies are only 8 weeks old and still in their fear stage. They just arrived at the pet store and if I get one, I want to get it sooner just in case the puppy would get imprinted by something scary happening to it.

The fear stage is a time when you want to do some good socialization of a puppy, and you want to try to avoid scary experiences. (Tiny had a bad one, and was afraid of loud noises and men yelling certain swear words that begin with the letter "F")

Am I trying to talk myself out of a dog, or into a dog? I think about dogs a lot. Really a lot. I'm pretty sure I'm obsessed with dogs right now. (hey, if you're going to have an obsession, dogs would be a good one as long as you dont start collecting them in large numbers)

I dont know if I'm using the MS as an excuse to keep from getting attached to another dog again like I was with Tiny, or if I'm using it as an excuse because I'm feeling lazy and dont want to deal with the temporary first few months of working at training the puppy that they go potty outside and not inside.

I've had a poodle before, and I know they're smart little guys and would be easy to train (wish I had obedienced trained my last poodle. He would have been the best dog. He was a genius. Tiny had to do a lot of remedial training, because he was stubborn and annoyed that he had to do homework. He was a lot like me schoolwise)

I think I might do it, since if I'm actively looking at puppies, and even picking out names and thinking about obedience training, I'm probably ready to do it. Plus, my aunt is getting her new pug in the next couple of months and it would be nice to watch the poodle and the pug grow up together. They could have playdates!

This time, having a dog the same size or close to the same size as my aunt's would be nice (Tiny weighed over 100 pounds, her pug was maybe 20 pounds)

Do I sound like I've made the decision to get one, or am I just driving myself nuts? Anyone else have problems deciding if they wanted to get a pet after they got diagnosed? Any suggestions? I guess I just want to know if pet ownership is difficult to do with the MS.

If I do get one of the puppies, the reason I want to name it Sam is because I'm a big fan of the character Sam Carter on Stargate SG-1. (The character is pretty much a genius and probably one of the few female characters on tv that hasnt been treated as if she's a moron just because she's female. Plus, Sam is a nice short name and easy for a dog to learn to respond to...)

replying to my own message because I just found something interesting.

Further evidence of a possible association between house dogs and multiple sclerosis

My poodle that I had from the time I was 11 till I was 28 was neurologically weird. He had epilepsy. (common in poodles) Eeeek...wish I hadnt found that link...

oh well...I've already got the MS, maybe this dog wont be neurologically weird like Chako was.

Erin, the date on the article is 1977. There has never been any evidence dogs have any connection to us getting MS. This is one of those unproven theroies.

If you want a dog then get one, just don't get one from a pet store -they are puppy mill puppies in most cases. Try checking at you local animal shelter or an individual.

I had 2 dogs when I was dx'd. I went through a severe exacerbation with 2 very young children and 2 dogs. I had 2 more dogs. now, at 23 years dx'd I have one cat and one puppy (10 1/2 months old). I have always been able to take care of pets and children even through exacerbations.

Dogs and/or kids let you focus on something other than your MS....at least it works for me.

I have adopted 5 dogs, bought one from a breeder and one *accident* lol from a home owner whose dog got loose.

Not to mention the dozens of dogs I had growing up. Let me just say, all of them were great friends, so don't let the papers or lack there of make the decision for you.

All my current Planned Pethood pets are pure bred dogs, just so you know. You can pick a particular breed, and still get a rescue.

Also, three of them were older when we got them, so we did not have to go through all the awful puppy stuff.

The cool thing about little dogs is that they always seem like puppies anyway, and you can get one who's 2 yrs or older, not peeiong on the carpet, but still cute and fluffy like a puppy.

They know how to behave, but they are always small and easy to pick up and hug.

They have all the personality of a huge dog, just in a tiny package.

I was looking to get a giant dog when I got little Ozzy. I wanted a Newfie or something similar, but dh was not into that. So we got a pomeranian. He was a couple ounces, 9 weeks old.

Then we got Rudy, a papillon, 8lbs, who was about 2.

Last year we adopted 2 female poms who just turned 9. All are healthy and playful, they all get along w/each other, and are fine with the 3yr old granddaughter and other kids who come over.

Most rescues are really good about telling you if the dogs have issues with health or behavior around kids or other pets.

Personally, I would not let ms stop me from adopting. I think having a dog around is the best thing for you, to keep you moving, feeling upbeat and healthier.

What dog you pick depends on your situation. Little ones worked out for us, and I prefer to adopt. It's those dang Sarah McLachlin commercials, lol.

Good luck with your decision!

We got our dog from pound, mixed breed which I think is best and most healthy, smartest of dogs, smallest of big dogs, has border collie in him, so does hand signals without training, never barks at strangers, but know he would attack if I was threatened. He came fine, but he and my husband both got Lyme Disease in our woods. Both treated, husband fine, but Ossie (dog) gets weird leg things, that looks very neurological. Happens on occasion, still a great dog. If you can't train animal, go to a class or get a trainer. No one really likes a wild child, we owe it to our pets also to make them as acceptable to others. Os is Border collie, German Shepard and maybe a little Rottweiler. Nice mix. Ossre was 7 months, already trained, wonderful dog. All DS' friends want him. He never jumps on you.

We are about to add a doggie back into our mix. We want an australian cattle doggie. We will be picking from rescue shelters, or breed rescue. Mixed breed doggies can be wonderful.

It doesnt matter if you pick little or big. What does matter is its tendencies. Beagles like to bark. Would barking drive you nuts? they need to go out an walk. Weimiriener(sp) MUST run, and have room to roam. Little tiny dogs sometimes get nervous, and easily get under foot. Many have personality issues and become aggressive when anyone tries to sit next to the owner.

If you want a big doggie, go get one. Dont settle for a lil doggie. Just make sure that you get the training, and skill set to go with him. Dogs love to know what is expected of them. As long as you are firm, and consistant with him, you should be able to train him as a helper doggie, and not just an under foot doggie.

Im glad you are thinking about bringing home a doggie.

First I'd rather be dead than not have my pooches and kitties so you probably already know my answer, lol. That said imo the biggest consideration for me is whether or not I could afford to care for them. Heaven forbid something happens to our mobility but in that case I'd gladly pay someone to come exercise mine if DH can't do it. Vet bills can also be huge so thats always my first concern.

Please, please don't support pet stores. Their stock come from puppy mills. I know it is a tough call because those sweet babies need loving homes also but I always look at rescue first. I'd bet there are thousands of poodles and poodle mixes on petfinder.com. Thats where both my pooches came from. One is a mix and one is pure bred.

What about a medium size poodle? or a greyhound? They are decent size and very mellow. Best of luck with whatever you decide and again as long as you can afford one I'd say go for it! We will be needing pictures.

"It is better to have loved and lost, then to have never loved at all"

The chances are very, very slim that you would have to get rid of the dog for any reason what-so-ever, in the future ... but if you did, I'm sure someone would be very happy to take a loving and fully trained pet.

You should expect to have mostly pleasure from that relationship . . . so go for it.

Cherie

I cannot imagine life without my pets. I have a totally separate bank account specifically for medical needs and unexpected expenses for the pets....makes me feel better to have it just in case 'cos I'll go without before they do. It's not that much but it's enough to get me through an unexpected emergency.

Pets bring so much enjoyment to life.....get a dog and relax and enjoy him or her. But please, get one from a reputable individual or shelter. A rescued pet is a double blessing. I know....I've got two!

I agree with the others...don't get a pet store dog...either go through a rescue group or a shelter dog if you can. Also, you might check into the service dog groups. They may be able to train the dog not just to behave for your mom, but to help you if your MS gets worse. My wife had a friend who trained service dogs and they could do some amazing stuff...let themselves in and out doors, bring the phone/tv remote/beverages from the fridge, go get medicine bottles, etc.