JOAN’S WEEKEND BLOG –– OCTOBER 12-14, 2007 – The “Woof” Factor – Should You Get a Dog to Keep Your AD Spouse Company?

Before I even start, I should tell you that both my husband and I are absolute, totally and completely “Dog People”. We adore dogs; we raised three puppies, and adopted one “teenage” dog over the course of 32 years. There was a period of 14 years when we had two dogs at the same time. We actually got a dog before we had a child. We have been “dogless” now for 16 months. Our last dog, our beloved Golden Retriever, Casey, (This is a real picture of Casey) was wasting away from cancer, when we made the heart wrenching decision to end his suffering. Neither one of us has yet recovered from that choice .

Although no dog could ever replace Casey – he was one of a kind -we just assumed that once we were settled in our new home in Florida, we would adopt another dog. (We’re both too old for raising any more puppies!).

Sid and Casey were “retirement buddies" (Actual picture of Sid and Casey). While I was at work, they were inseparable. Sid even let Casey sit in the front seat of his brand new car (with a special doggie seat belt), and the two of them would ride around town, Casey with his head raised toward the sun roof. Sid misses his buddy, and he wants another dog.

There are numerous studies and articles on the positive effect pets have on people with disabilities. Just petting a dog can lower a person’s blood pressure; can put a smile on the face of a lonely senior; can bring unresponsive children out of their shells. A dog would be good company for someone like Sid, who isn’t ready for Day Care, but does not have a lot to do during the day.

I considered it, thought long and hard about it, debated the pros and cons, and decided against it. Dogs require a lot of time, work and attention, as does my Alzheimer Spouse. I am exhausted now, taking care of all of Sid’s needs – writing lists; answering unending questions; monitoring medications; dealing with mood swings; explaining information and directions; doctor hopping;  as well as lesson planning and tutoring.

How could I take care of a dog’s needs – walking, feeding, playing (dogs need play and love time).

But the deciding factor was not me. It was Alzheimer’s Disease. I cannot be in more than one place at a time, as much as AD would demand otherwise. What if I were not home, and Sid forgot to let the dog out? That is happening to a friend of mine now. Forgot to feed him? Forgot he was around, and opened the door, only to have the dog run out? Could not remember the training commands?

The worst part of this decision was telling Sid. It wasn’t telling him we could not have a dog that upset me. It broke my heart to have to tell him WHY. He is not at the stage in the disease in which I could lie to him, put him off, or hope he would forget about it. He forgets most everything, but he would not forget about wanting a dog. As gently as I could, I told him that neither one of us was in a position right now to care for a dog – we were both too involved with learning to deal with Alzheimer’s Disease. I could see the hurt in his eyes – the pain not only of not being able to have a dog, but the pain of realizing why.

So we are dogless – sadly, there will be no dog in this house to walk through the Alzheimer journey with us. But wait a minute! In preparing to write this Blog, I was looking for articles on Alzheimer patients and dogs. I was ASTOUNDED at the article I found – a story about a social worker and a professional dog trainer who teamed up to train the first Alzheimer Guide Dog. Please click here to read this most fascinating story about Polly, who has been trained to accompany her AD owner on walks, and lead him safely home. Even if you are not a “dog person”, I think you will find it intriguing.

Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com