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Our Son Has A Dog Who Visits Daily, When He's Not Here My Husband Looks For Him. I'm Thinking Of Getting A Puppy For Both Of Us. Thoughts?

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Kasson, MN
October 13
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A myALZteam Member

I'd like to chime in as someone with Alzheimer's & I have a puppy. I would say it depends on the stage of Alzheimer's that he is in. I feel I'm not that far along yet, so it works for us.
My wife works full time & I stay home alone unable to drive. We got a puppy months ago. I feed him twice a day. I take him outside every couple hours. (we have a fenced yard) I have a logbook that I keep track of every time I feed him & take him out & if he goes to the bathroom or not. (that way I don't take him out every 20 minutes or on the other side, forget for hours not to take him out). He has been very good for me & my spirits. I'm much happier with a dog. I've had one my entire life. When our last dog passed away, my wife said, "no more dogs". But it depressed both of us & she quickly changed her mind.

October 14
A myALZteam Member

Hi, @A myALZteam Member. What a timely question! My 7 year old miniature poodle Nicky is lovable, adorable and I love him to pieces. However, as of today I started the not so easy process of re-homing him. My 74 y/o vascular dementia husband acts now like a 6 year old with no sense of judgment and often teases the heck out of Nicky which has resulted in behavioral issues, growling and nipping. Your life is going to become more demanding and challenging. It sounds like your son's dog might be like a grand-child; enjoy the dog when it visits and know that you aren't responsible for it's health and life. Just my humble opinion and advice.

October 15
A myALZteam Member

@A myALZteam Member, I agree with @A myALZteam Member. Do you really need something else to look after?
I have two dogs and I adore them. They get me up and out for a walk every morning while husband is still asleep, and they are so affectionate. But they are older gals at 12 and 14, well-trained and, as dogs go, undemanding. Even so, there is never anybody else to feed them, fill their water bowls, walk them, play with them, worm/deflea them, groom them, take them to the vet or just open the door when one or the other wants to go outside (heaven forbid they go at the same time.) I open and close that door dozens of times a day! Mine both had doggy diarrhoea earlier this year, each for a week but not the same week! Added to that, I have to stop husband giving them extra food or human food that could harm them (I can't have chocolate in the house, not even cookies).
As a dog-loving owner, even I would say this probably isn't the moment to get a dog. Make friends with some dog owners and invite them round for coffee - with the proviso that they bring their hounds!

October 14
A myALZteam Member

Hi Cheryl. My husband is in late moderate stage of Alzheimer’s. We had a dog for 15 years.( a male rescued poodle mix). As the dog got older, he developed thyroid issues, cataracts, hearing issues, skin issues, and toward the end, glaucoma. All of these issues required lots of care and medications, as well as vet visits. All of this was going on over the past year and a half as my husband began to decline more. My husband needs almost all of my attention now so, when the dog got so bad that he was unable to have a decent quality of life, I sent him over the rainbow bridge. That was in August. It’s been very hard on me, but to be honest, as much as my husband loved that dog, he doesn’t even remember him now. I would say to think twice because taking care of a dog and taking care of someone with later stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s is very wearing both physically and emotionally. Hopefully your grand dog can visit enough times to make your husband happy. if you do decide to get a dog, I would get one that’s already old enough to be potty trained and even trained in other ways to make your life easier.

October 16
A myALZteam Member

@CherylKloche
I would suggest an adult dog, preferably one that is house trained and past the wild stage.

October 15

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