Joan, About 6 months before my DH was diagnosed, my friend who had lung cancer and whose husband had just passed away was given a puppy. She was the cutest little ball of white fur. She is a Maltipoo a cross between maltese and poodle. She was going through Cemo, and could not take care of a puppy. She ask if I would take her? Suzy Q is the best thing that could have come into our lives at this time. She sits all day with Gene, gets him to play ball etc. When her day with him is over she sleeps with me and listen to all my problems. I have trained him to bring him home, but he does want to walk or go out. I would vote for a dog for your husband in a minute. Suzy is about 20#, a little over weight because he slips her food. Your husband may want a golden. They are a very caring dog. Barbarakay
I too have a little Maltese we got for my husband soon after his diagnosis of Alzheimer's 7 yrs. ago. For several yrs. she was a perfect companion for him. I think the animals are wonderful theraputic instruments for dementia patients as they give uncconditional love, acceptance, companionship and can understand without language needed. She is now my little friend and I so appreciate her for the enjoyment she lavished on my husband until he no longer could recognize her. I recommend a pet for our loved ones also.
We have a cat"Gizmo" My husband brought him from a junkyard as a kitten. He was so sick when we got him and we nursed him back to health.He is 2years old now and is a well behaved cat. He is just a wonderfull companion to my AD husband.
We adopted a dog four years ago. Ralph used to walk him everyday for the first couple of years. He still pays attention to him, but the dog is now attached to me.
Sid got a great deal of satisfaction from your messages. He said, "See, everyone thinks I should have a dog."
Okay, I'll reconsider, but only when we can afford to put up a fence, because Sid can't walk much at all, due to his neuropathy. We just bought and furnished a brand new house when we moved down to Florida, so the fence will have to wait awhile.
We have two Bichons and I can't imagine our life without them. We got them both before the diagnosis but after symptoms were present. DH is completely nuts about them. We act like all those people I used to make such fun of. They can make us laugh when we'd rather cry, they get us up and out on long walks where we discover things we'd never see otherwise. They're adorably cute and DH noticed immediately he could meet any woman on the street as long as he had one of the pups on a leash. People who would never speak to anyone they pass on the street will speak to someone walking a dog. Go figure that. They don't talk back, they love to cuddle, and when I can't think of a single other reason to keep going, they're it. And they will listen to the same ole thing over and over again as long as you give them a treat at the end of the story.
we have are you ready 5 dogs..3 were rescues one of which came from a meth house. 1 is our grand baby dog..she is our daughters and will be going home after Christmas..the other was born on the farm 12 years ago..The funny thing is if Larry leaves the living room and I am not in there they all start to howl until I come in and tell them I know where he is at...I am thankful we have built in alarms..oh ya our meth baby as we call him lol we were told he didn't like men, we got him before hubby was dx'd and he is the protector of hubby sometimes he even gets snappy at me if I come into the bedroom when hubby is asleep...So funny how this all worked out ...
Yesterday we celebrated our puppy's first birthday. My hubby was so excited. He just adores this little dog, he's a Havenese. Prior to Frankie, we had cats, and the last one died in my arms in March, right after my husband had rotator cuff surgery. That just really threw him and he kept waiting for me to bring the cat back from the vet, even though I kept telling him it was the cats 'remains'. Anyway, I got the dog, and it's the best thing I could have done. My Dear hubby sleeps a lot, and the dog keeps him company, wherever he is, bed, sofa, chair.... He's a delight, and, although I didn't really need something else to take care of, he's good company for me too.
Altho we'd always had dogs, we didn't at the time my husband got AD. As time went on I thought it would be a good focus for him, he was used to dogs in the house. So we adopted 'Sophie,' a big yellow lab/shepherd mix. Yes, it meant more for me to do, but she was great for him, they made constant trips to the cookie jar & when they went around the block I knew she'd bring them home. The day I discovered he'd put prunes in her dog dish was scary, but I caught it in time. As he worsened she became more attached to me. When I finally placed him, I'd take her to the home, staff encouraged it, but he ignored her and the others all gathered around talking and touching her. She was good, but really didn't like it, too many hands, walkers & odors, so I stopped bringing her. I thought she'd be a bridge between us and maybe take away some of my own loneliness--and it worked out that way. Now it's just 'Sophie' and me and she means the world to me. In 'doggie' years we're about the same age. Our legs are going, our vision and hearing are fading, she sees the vet regularly, I see the doc, she gets this & that tested, I get the same this & that tested, we take our pills every morning and evening, it gets harder and harder for either of us to leap around. We both sigh, doze and plop down a lot. So, absolutely, yes, it meant more work, but she's been worth every minute for both my husband and myself. Yeah, doggies!
We just took the plunge a few days ago. After much research into appropriate dog breeds, we got a beautiful labradoodle puppy. My DH with EOAD stage 5 is not much help but we are both getting much enjoyment out of the little cutie. Of course it will be adding more work and responsibility to my life but I think it will be worth it. I really thought we were getting the dog for him but I see now it she will be more of a comfort to me than I expected. I envision her being a therapy dog that I can take to the NH one day when we are to that stage.
Good luck to you, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. The comments in this discussion are in response to a blog I wrote concerning my decision not to get another dog. #61 in the Previous Blog section.
When we lived in Massachusetts, we had 1/2 acre of fenced in yard. Open door; let dogs out. Did that for over 30 years. Although I love where we live in Florida, the plot is small; there is no fence; and there is a canal 30 feet from the patio. With Sid's neuropathy, he is unable to walk much at all, which would mean the task of walking the dog 3-4 times a day would fall to me. I just don't have the time, mental or physical stamina.
But oh, how I miss those beautiful eyes, wagging tail, and cold nose.
We have 2 chihuahuas we got in 96 before husbands dx. during all this time the male dog was hubands and he doted on the dog carrying him everywhere on his arm. when husband started forgetting about the little dog i felt so sorry for him he would want to be with my husbnd and he would 'shoo' him away. broke my heart, but now he is back in his graces and he talks to him and sleeps next to him although he doesnt carry him anymore much to my relief. without these pups to get me thru the day with companionship i think i would have lost it long ago. their love is unconditional and never ending unlike the pains of losing the spouses affections.. Divvi
We have a two year old solid white shitzu named Youshi. Got him for my LO after DZ. Thought he would be a lap dog, not .We love him but he is spoiled rotten; Oh both he's, Youshi and my LO is spoiled rotten (that causes problems because they both want their way). He gets out whenever you least expect him to, and runs the neighborhood then won't return till he is cruddy dirty And yes I have all the grooming and extra house cleaning because LO can't help. Problem is I can't smell so I am constantly cleaning to guard against pet odors. And when we downsized and built this home, I got ceramic floors and leather couch because of him. Now yes I love Youshi and so does my LO and we would not want to part with him but he is more than a handful. I know my LO needs him and always says "Youshi cannot die before me". I know Youshi is just another responsibility I have now and can't change. Joan, I am glad to hear you are thinking hard on this because its like another child to love and care for.
We have two cats and a 6# poodle. All are "mine" but the cats took to my husband instead. He has gone through a year and a half of being moody, angry, - you know what I mean. I was always the villian. I couldn't understand why me, but he has never been that way with the animals, especially the cats. He has always been a good natured caring husband and his new behavior to me is a puzzle. He can turn from fussing at me and then his demeanor will instantly change in being soft and nurturing to the cats. The dog has a lot of energy and will make my husband play ball with him endlessly. He seems to get a lot of comfort and company from the animals. It is rewarding to see that he still has those qualities - even tho they are not in my direction. I understand the process better after reading the responses here.
When my husband was first diagnosed and I was still working, I decided we needed a small dog to be a companion to my husband. We got a male Yorkiepoo. Then a year later we adopted a small stray of unknown ancestry. She is Alpha dog and won't let anyone pet her except me and my husband. She's always been very affectionate toward me but in the last couple of years she has become closer and closer to my husband. We let the doggies sleep with us at nap time and she always curls up beside my husband. Right now we are on the sofa watching TV and she is in his lap. The Yorkiepoo tolerates my husband but is attached at the hip to me. He never leaves my side. When we nap, he either curls up in the small of my back or lays over my ankles. I don't know what either of us would do without the love of our dogs. We also live in a condo where we have to walk them on a leash and that's sometimes a curse but when I get outside, I realize the walk is for my soul as much as for the doggies.
We have a small Shitzu also, we got him 2 yrs ago to stay with JR, he was a great companion for JR and now JR really looks forward to both mine and "Jakes" visit. As well all the residents look forward to seeing him, it takes us half an hour to get to JR's room some days as everyone wants to visit with Jake. Luckily he is a very friendly little dog and loves to be a lap puppy. My concern now is that the poor little dog stays home alone all day while I work and needs to go to a kennel if I am away over night, but he seems happy and content just the same. Dogs are wonderful companions but do require a lot of work in the beginning. kathy