Yes, I'll get a dog!

You could look into fostering dogs for one of the rescues. The dog comes to live with you, but the rescue picks up the costs of medical care, etc. Sometimes they have dogs they put into permanent foster care because of a medical condition. Fostering could give you the joy of having a dog companion, but without the expense.

If I were you, I would certainly look into it.

I don't think I could live without a dog in my life. I don't think I'd be able to manage a puppy or a very young dog very well at this point in my life, so I adopt senior dogs who are very much overlooked at shelters. I adopted my present dog, Bonnie, the sweetest pitbull girl in the whole world, when she was almost 8 years old and she has been a wonderful companion and friend for the last 4 or so years. When the time comes for her to leave me, I will adopt another senior doggie and give it a nice retirement home, too.
 

I am not ready to have a dog. It might be years before i am ready. By then I might not be able to handle a dog. Please, help me. Just accept my decision. But I do appreciate your understanding and support.
 
I understand what you're saying Ron. I agree that now is not the time for you to care for a pet. I've read the previous posts all the way back to December of 2016 and, I hope I don't offend you when I say that you need to take care of yourself first...by eating things other than Ramen noodles. A diet of Ramen noodles (unless you add lots of greens) will plummet you into depression, lower your immune system, and kill your motivation to do anything (that's why you're not paying your bills; too much sugar and toxic processed food will give you brain fog).

Rather eat some dark greens and colorful veggies everyday, some salmon or chicken, and cut out anything white and processed. Walking and getting sunshine helps. If you can't walk then exercise sitting down (just move and stretch everything) or do aerobics in a neighborhood pool if you have one...it's zero impact. Take a multi-vitamin if you're not getting nutrition naturally (of course whole foods are best)...especially vitamins B (especially B-12), D (10 minutes of sun with give you D), and Omega3 (fish oil). Drink water.

You will feel better instantly. You will be able to walk without pain in a few months (I'm only guessing that your legs may have lost circulation, maybe knees have seized up). You'll be happy, motivated, and ready to give and receive love from a pet.

At that point, if money is an issue, and if the shelter isn't agreeable to help with food and medical expenses for a pet, then maybe you could set up a GoFundMe page for your dog lol...I laugh but, hey, it's probably been done before and people will want to help for a good cause. Click on http://gofundme.com

Please forgive me if I'm totally off-base about your health. I don't know you so I could be wrong bigtime. I'm just taking a shot in the dark in the spirit of caring.

PS...If and when you do get a dog, don't get one that you need to take to a groomer. That's crazy expensive and adds up every month or two. Or, teach yourself to do your own grooming via DIY youtube videos.
 

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Lara, thanks for your support and suggestions. Right now, even the truth is a bit overwhelming. I'm just trying to get by for now.
 
Ron have you thought about fostering? You certainly have the temperament for it from the sounds of what you've written. People who foster animals for rescues don't foot the costs of care. The rescue group typically takes care of all the expenses (sometimes not food, but most rescues will gladly offer a big bag of food for the sake of having someone to care for a rescue)

A dear friend of mine owns a rescue, my daughter is an ex vet tech, and so we've worked with rescues on and off for years. Paige, my daughter, is currently fostering two kittens that were rescued from a drainage ditch when they were barely old enough to eat on their own. The puppies she was fostering were just delivered back to her because they are going to new homes!! There's less of an emotional connection (something it sounds like you're not yet ready for) but a very real understanding that you're making a huge difference in the life of an animal who might otherwise be euthanized or left for dead or forced to endure unimaginable conditions. You're the way station, the soft place for these sweet guys to fall, as they find their feet and get ready to become adoptable.

Rescues are ALWAYS looking for fosters. If you have any interest at all I can help you find a rescue in your area that would be good for you to work with. And if not, I understand. Just offering another option.
 
Ronni, thank you for sharing. Someone else suggested fostering, and I explained that I don't want to do it.
 
I can't imagine life without a dog. Perhaps more truthfully, I suppress the memories of life without a dog. My dog is getting up there in age. In dog years, he is older than I am. He just had surgery to remove tumors and I have to help in in and out of the minivan, but I love his company. I know what is coming. I've been there before, but my focus in on now.

Getting a dog is a great thing. I'm happy for you. Size, temperament, and personality are important. I hope you have the patience to be picky. I know of a place that has good books on evaluating dog temperament and similar things, if you want to go that route.
 
Wandrin, it really helps if you are always aware of how the dog reacts to his limitations. If he appears to be happy and is functional, you are most likely fine.

It was hard to let Bandit go. He was still happy and active even if he was blind. But I just couldn't bear to see him fall into his own "droppings," etc. Bandit led a sheltered life with me, and rarely got dirty. All of a sudden, I was looking at giving him a bath several times a day. One day I saw him suffer, and was shouting out loud in sadness. He walked up to me, and put his paw on my leg.

I picked him up onto my lap, talked softly to him, stroked his beautiful hair. Bandit was clearly happy. But at the same time, he lost control of his bowels. Bandit rarely lost control. In our younger years I worked at a convenience store, and wasn't always able to get home at a decent time. At least once Bandit waited 24 hours before I got home. I was totally amazed that he didn't have an "accident!" As soon as I opened the door, he headed quickly down the two flights of outside stairs so he could "take care of business." I still love that mutt.
 
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