13 replies to this topic

[BrotherOfQuad]

So I'm a caregiver for my brother who is a quadroplegic and live with my mom. We both take care of him. I do more so since she teaches and has now found a summer job to help pay the bills.

I've gotten into a rut and I've wanted a dog forever. Nobody trusts me to take care of it. I can move out but I have no way on how to get assisted living because I can't make it on 800 dollars a month. Plus the fact that my brother is allergic but I've heard of hypoallergenic dogs that are less sensitive. I'm thinking of my brother's own well being before mine, like always.

I know what I need though. I'm 26, I've had relationships with women that don't work out because of my situation and let's face it... don't we all just want to be loved? Whether it's a pet even? I know my mom and my brother love me but that extra something that is missing in my life. I feel like I'm being all about James but I need to live a little myself. I really just want a dog. Something that will always be there to love me and cheer me up no matter what.

I just don't know what to do or where to go. Can anybody help me in any way with this? Any advice at all? Please...

[Trinity]

Dogs are expensive, not just the initial outlay, especially the breeds less likely to cause allergies, but the food, vets bills etc all add up.


Do you have any charities or shelters where you are that need people to foster their dogs? This way maybe you could see what triggers an allergy in your brother. For example if your brother reacts badly to a dog you have bought then what happens to that dog? You van also prove you have the time and effort required to look after the animal without the financial burden that goes with it. If that all goes well then great if not then you haven't lost anything and no animal is worse off.

[Smileyblue]

Trinity has made a very good suggestion! It gives you the opportunity to see what works for you all, without being locked in a bad situation..

Animals are great companions! I love my dogs! But wouldn't it break your heart if you bought one, and then had to let them go because of one of many reasons?

Best of luck in finding a perfectly matched companion for you both..

[Snakeye]

Dogs can indeed fill a hole in someones life..They are a delight..I say go for it as long as you can afford it and not endanger your brothers health...Look for a "Doodle", Golden Retriever/Poodle mix, very hypo-allergenic..

Edited by Snakeye, 03 July 2011 - 01:24 PM.

[pinkcloud]

hi

maybe contact a lady on here calles esslouis...what she dont know about 4 legged friends, in me opinion, is not worth knowing

[Mary-Anne]

Some of the discussion I see online says there is no such a thing as a hypoallergenic dog.

Some people say that labradoodles (labrador retriever and poodle cross) were bred as
hypoallergenic service dogs, these people, for example
http://www.americanlabradoodles.com/

There are also people who claim the Portuguese Water Dog is a hypoallergenic service dog.
http://www.siriushealing.com/

Although Golden Retrievers are often used as Service Dogs,
I read some unflattering things about Golden Doodles (Golden Retriever Poodle Cross).
http://www.petsask.c...c_guide_do.html

Here are some sources of dogs
http://wolfpacks.com...g/trainers.html
http://www.assistanc...ogproviders.php
http://www.assistanc...ecountry.php#US
http://wolfpacks.com...g/trainers.html

I suspect you can find some charity which can pay the initial cost of the dog,
but the other posters are correct that food and vet bills cost something.

I cannot say whether you really want a dog or not,
but I would certainly say, based on what I read,
that you would want to test whether a kind of dog
causes an allergic reaction before you get one.

[VMac1946]

I have a Cavaleir King Charles Spaniel/ Poodle cross, he is a small dog and in the supposed non allergenic class but I have not tested this theory yet. He is a very loving little dog but needs grooming every day and to have a hair cut 3 or 4 times a year. He is the second one of these we have had and his predecessor was a very good visitor to the Nursing home where my late MIL was they loved him there and even though he wasn't the official Therapy Dog he was very welcome. They are expensive but we were lucky in both cases the second our present boy who is 2 on Sunday was rescued in a way, a family could not keep him and he was headed to the pound when we saw the ad and bought him.
I will say though it is not enough to just want a dog, there are responsibliies in owning a dog and costs Vets, food, flea and other treatments so think hard on if you can afford to take good care of the dog or ir may end up in a pound. There was a good idea of fostering a dog for a while see how it goes and how your family feels about it.

[esslouis]

hi please please think very carefully about this before you take the plunge. let me explain - if the people who you live with don't want a dog that dog is going to be miserable as they will no when and if they are wanted. fostering short term dogs who are not doing to well in kennels, are older and need tlc or ones recovering from ops. But you all have to be in agreement its no good bringing in a foster if its not wanted by the other parties. also the cost has to be taken into account. you say you have $800 a month to live on - well that will be taken up quite quickly. Here is a breakdown of my cost for my rescue springer - insurance £16 per month, flea treatment £25-£30 every 3 month, vet cost ( i put £10 a week away in emergency money) feed £42 per 3 months, worming £5 per month, vaccinations (parvo, kennel cough) £20, treats for dog £10 every other month. so thats the breakdown over the final total is £1020-£1040. So you can see it takes a huge chunk of change and a lot of commitment. you can also get hypo-allergenic dogs see lab x poodle but what you have got to remember that they can be live wires - labs are hunting dogs and so a poodle (hunts ducks). so again please think carefully and involve everyone and respect there wishes. if you want to talk pm. esslouis

[mellowgator]

i think a rescue dog is an excellent idea. we have low costs vets in our area who do cheap vaccines that's partially funded by our state or county. i'd go have a look and bring a dog home and see how it goes. nothing ventured nothing gained. you did say you are home all day so you and the dog could bond and you can see if your brother is bothered by having the pet around. you can save money by bathing and clipping the dog yousself. we have a small shih tzu and a lab. the lab is my service dog and the shih tzu belongs to my daughter, but i take care of and sleep with her, and we all love her.

i think a friendly dog who you can walk with and enjoy is a great endeavour that you deserve.

mellowgator

Edited by mellowgator, 08 July 2011 - 07:59 PM.

[baldfatdad]

When I looked for a dog I wanted three things. Didn't shed, didn't bark, didn't poop. Well like the Stone's said " You can't always get what you want."
Dogs that don't shed are the least allergenic. Poodles, Airdales, Komodor, some other terriers. BUT dogs that don't shed can still bother some people. And they need to be brushed and cut. No dog can be just owned. They need to be trained, exercised, fed, cleaned up after and taught socialization. You can't have a yappie little dog that drives everyone crazy. Or a great big one that knocks people down or thinks its a lap dog.
Short story, they are a lot of work.
On the other hand. You never get in a car with a cold seat. If you go in the basement to do wash. When you come back ten minutes later they are so happy to see you, you think you've been gone a week. They extend your life and make the one you have better.
Go hunt for the best dog for you. Don't be in a hurry. Find one and have a vet/allergist check to see if it will bother you brother.
good luck

[goose]

Dogs are wonderful and can be life savors. Mine knows my every mood and has seen me through some really hard times. I'd be completely lost w/o them.

I have a mini schnauzer [they do come in standard or giant] which weighs about 16 lbs. She is my protector and would give her life to save me. She does not shed or have doggie odor [ they do not smell at all]. My vet has them and reccomends them highly. They do have to have hair cuts but they can be stretched out a bit if you don't mind them alittle curly which I do like. A good groomer will help you stretch the cuts out if you explain money issues.

A vet friend told me a secret about flea prevention. Buy the largest amt. for a big dog and then you can divide them into smaller doses right for your dog. The price difference in small doses vs. large doses is only pennies. So for the same money , you may can get 3 or 4 months supply from 1 large does. They can be purchased online at a discount and they offer coupons as well. Works the same for heartworm protection.

Dogs can be expensive but there are many ways to help lower the cost. I can tell you many more if you are interested.

To me they are worth the expense just to help keep my sanity. Alot cheaper than a physciatrist and you don't have to wait for an appointment.

[sh1wn]

Another thing that the pounds around here do that may help with some of the cost is you can volunteer for x hours cleaning kennels to pay for spay/neuter and shots. You may be able to try working the same kind of deal for vet checks and grooming.
Hope you are able to find a new friend

[jlsh4e]

A shiztu would be a good choice. If you was not far away I would give you one that is four years old. He is fixed, don't bark, housebroken and loves to be petted. I usually get his hair cut twice a year just so he is easier to give a bath and don't have to spend to much time drying or brushing his hair. I have come to the point I love him but I have three kids and a husband that I spend all my time doing everything for and I think it would be best to give him to someone with less responsibility than me. So if you do decide you want it and can get it from Al to Iowa then let me know.

[scaldedcat]

My wife and I have a maltese shitzu cross and he is one spoilt pup. We love him to death, he sleeps with us and must be part koala because he sleeps about 18hrs a day, very tough life. Doesn't do tricks, can't be bothered, but I think it would be pretty cool to have a dog like this.




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