Is getting a dog a dumb idea?

It’s now been over a year since my daughter got sick. The emotional state is deteriorating, as you al know from experience, due to the constant physical constraints and stresses this illness brings. It is beginning to affect her more and more when we leave to go places and she can’t go. We are a large family so she shouldn’t ever feel lonely and would usually embrace the quietness that us leaving brings 😊. However, she is asking for a dog as a companion bc she feels so lonely.

We once had an inside cat but that didn’t work out and he is now thriving outdoors. Before we had children, we had an inside dog but that is our only experience. We live on a farm and are used to animals outside. I would like to allow her to get a dog. I think it would help her emotional state.

My husband, who is completely supportive of her in every other way, is thinking this would be a bad idea bc he worries about fleas/ticks biting not only her but the other children. We always have flea issues as it is around our place and work hard at keeping our outdoor animals and property free but it is still an issue. Barns, moisture, humidity, pond, dogs....I don’t know.

Anyway, is it a hugely dumb idea to even entertain getting an inside dog for her? Would we be jeopardizing her health or the other children even more? Any thoughts are appreciated.

My daughter has just got a little fox terrier from a shelter (in Tanzania) and every instagram photo I see now Betty the foxy is in the picture with my two little grandkids (they are 1 and 4). Animals bring good energy to kids. My daughter says the dog has been a perfect fit everyone loves her.
Ask at the local shelter if they have a suitable dog, the people there know their temperament and will help match you up. Take it on a trial basis and see if it works.
I get it that flea infestations and tick concerns are a thing I have had pets all my life. But some kids have a strong affinity with animals and they really do need a comfort dog. I have seen it work that way for the people around me.

Quinn - Cats can be on antibiotics if needed.


But, it would be a big nuisance if they needed to be on them for months....

I live in a city with a very low tick rate.

However, I work next door to a pet groomer.

I'm pretty sure I got infected by a tick that escaped the groomers.

Truth is, the current tick situation ruined a lot of things for many people, including nature and pets.

I would ask your child if there is anything else that would help her feel less lonely.

It's just not worth the risk until we find a cure.

Ticks always avoided our dog too thick of fur I guess in her ten years I found one tick on her. I lost count how many I have pulled from myself. I think the flea tick thing is being over reacted too. You could create a area outside that's just for the dog keep the grass short and make sure its not wet.

Dogs bring so much joy and comfort. It hard to balance being responsible and not living in fear. My dog passed away right before I got sick and I often feel like I would be healing more if I could tap into that unconditional love he gave me. Maybe a small white short haired dog like a chihuahua? They are the best. That being said, I think I got my tick bite from my dog....

I love all that you are doing to support your child.

The companionship of a dog can be wonderful. I have a dog that I apply Revolution to once per month in the warmer months. I don't love being around the toxins or applying them to her, but I cannot risk the flea and tick potential otherwise. I know there are more natural treatments, but I have not found any that seem to be effective enough for my level of New England tick paranoia. I still don't let her onto the furniture, though. Maybe the dog could hang out on top of a white sheet you wash each day, and your child could get in the habit of doing a tick check? Also, when you take the dog outside, you can stick to pavement, very short grass, wood chips, etc. to minimize tick habitat exposure. But that's tough because every dog needs the opportunity to run sometimes. Maybe a small enough dog could just zip around the house.

I strongly encourage you to get a low-energy breed that is also a low-energy individual. A dog that requires a lot of exercise each day probably won't love to hang out with your child and will take up so much of your time. Get an adult dog from a rescue, as they will have been evaluated for temperament, will have less energy than a puppy, and might have some basic training already (house training, sit, etc.). A rescue also should be able to tell you how often that particular dog needs to go out. (I had a Yorkie who needed to go out only three times per day, but most small breeds need to go out much more often.) Training is essential, even with a small dog, for their own peace of mind. Training a dog can feel like a full-time job for the first couple of months, and everyone in the household needs to be on board (e.g. no one can pet the dog while it's jumping up on them or the training other people are doing about jumping will be undone). A rescue should be able to tell you about the responsible training classes in your area. Petfinder.com can be a good place to start, as most profiles include lots of details about the dogs involved.

It is possible with a tiny breed to keep them entirely indoors, but I have heard some controversy about whether that is good for a dog psychologically.

Getting a dog is not a dumb idea, but in my experience it might be a labor-intensive idea. If you are feeling overwhelmed at all, then I'd have to advise against it. My family has a dog and a cat, and while they are the best dog and cat, my partner is weary of them. Before I got sick, there were two of us to pay attention to them, tend to their constant needs, etc. Since I got sick, I know my partner mostly views them as a burden, and I feel really guilty for not being able to ensure the sort of life for them that I know they should have. They get good nutrition, medical care, walks, comfy spots in the house, but not much else. We regard getting a pet of any kind as a genuine lifetime commitment to the wellbeing of that creature, including learning about them and what kind of life makes them happy, not just what we want from them. But that's much harder to ensure when I'm not functioning at (or near!) 100% for four years now!

Do you want a dog? The person who will be doing the walks in the cold or rain, morning and night, should want a dog. The person who will be cleaning up pee and vomit accidents, doing all the laundry, paying the vet bills and grooming, feeding, and scrubbing slimy water bowls should want a dog. I loooove dogs, but they are super gross and a lot of work. Darling creatures who are way better than humans, and are all heart, but a lot of work.

Is she willing to consider a different type of pet? Rats are extremely smart and interactive. They will come when called, play fetch, play hide and seek, etc. and are tiny and easy to care for. Plus no ticks. As a prey animal, they do require some privacy and quiet time, but they are more likely to want to interact with humans than other rodents are (rabbits, hamsters, etc.).

The right cat also can be just as cuddly and fun as a dog, but once again I'd recommend an adult cat from a rescue so that you can know more about its personality before committing.

Whatever you decide, good luck! I am a big fan of pets. I hope you find the perfect fit.

When I got Lyme disease, I started getting allergic to everything. It went away with antibiotic treatment.

One thing you might consider to help you make the decision or as a substitute to getting your own dog is a therapy dog. Is there a therapy dog in your area that could make some home visits with your daughter?