Lori74
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2015
I'm not an animal person. I dont hate them, I just dont gush. I dont want my house to have animal hair, stains, or a funky smell that could possibly come along with a pet. I respect people who have pets, I dont judge when I leave someones house with hair on me, or if their house or yard has all the remnants of animals, its just not for me. I dont mind if someones pet is happily all over me, or even if they show bad manners. Its just not for me. I do not understand when ppl miss their pets on vacation, have pics of them everywhere. I do not understand when they grieve for long periods of time after they lose a pet. Dont get me wrong, I feel for them. I buy flowers, I lend a shoulder to cry on, I just dont get it.
This was me 10 years ago.
10 years ago, my 8 year old son was attacked by a German Shepard. Luckily the injuries were not severe, but psychologically it took its toll on him. He would not go near a dog. When walking to the park, if a dog was seen, we would have to find another route. He missed bday parties etc. if there were dogs. I happened to meet a lady and told her our story, he can't live this way. She asked what I thought about getting a puppy and letting them grow together. After my laughter died down I realized she wasnt laughing. She said really, think about it. Yeah right. The seed was planted. I researched and studied, all the while saying this isn't for me. I dont need more to do. I asked him, what do you think about puppies, would you be open to holding one. He said maybe. Through all my research, I decided a Golden Retriever might be a good fit. We found a breeder and asked if we could just come and test the waters with my son, there was a great possibility this was not happening. We were put in a large room with a litter. The pups all played with each other. One came out of the crowd to say hello. My son, along with the family, were agreeable. Great, I guess we do all kinds of things for our kids.
I was real about it, this was going to be my responsibility. I'll end up training, cleaning, doing everything. We do for our kids and if this helped my son develop a healthy relationship with dogs, I will step up.
The dog and I went through training classes. I was rather strict with her at home. Watched her like a hawk to see when she needed out. Made sure she did not get on furniture, did not jump on guests or chew what didnt belong to her. It came rather easy to her. She just wanted love and approval and she made sure I was happy. Well ok, maybe this wont be horrible. The 1st time we went away, we dropped her off at the kennel. I noticed when we left, she was not playing with others, she was in the corner by herself. Weird. I felt a tug in my heart. Something weird was happening with me, I was worrying about a dog. A dog.
As you all can see where this story is going... I started to get it. Her happiness mattered to me. Vacations meant leaving her. Hoping she was ok. Missing her. Walking in the front door meant an immediate greeting with her gorgeous smile and 'hi mom, i love you'. When she wasn't feeling well, and she threw up on the carpet, I worried about her, not the carpet. I didnt mind vacuuming every few days because of all the hair. It was needed exercise and time for her to practice letting the vacuum know she was the boss. All of the expensive trips to the groomer werent met with another chore to dread, it was hoping she was ok because she doesn't care for the loud hair dryers. I didnt even mind when the family would rev her up and she would get the zoomies and come jump on my bed and wake me in the mornings. She respected I didnt like doggie kisses, but she would nuzzle her face up between me and the pillow until she heard a giggle then would jump down. She helped my son trust again. She would get between me and anyone else that got to close. She wasnt mean about it, just made sure they understood there were boundaries. If my husband held my hand she would separate our hands, if he hugged me she would squeeze in. She sat by my side when my depressions hit. She would hug me when I needed it. There were days that got real dark, she just let me know she wasnt leaving my side.
Last year we bought our dream house finally. She was slowing down as old age does that to all of us. She had her yearly checkup just before we moved and vet said she was great looking. She seemed a bit depressed. Change can be hard. We made sure she had all of her comforts and everything that was home to her. I've never had a dog, I dont know what aging looks like, just figured this was typical. I was on the phone with my son. He gasped and said 'are you ok?' She fell. She got up, seemed ok and chalked it up to the new flooring she wasnt used to. I got home and immediately knew something was wrong. She was functioning, but just was off. 2 days, many tests a hospital visit, and a vet visit. nobody knew what was wrong. The vet kept her overnight to give her meds and supervision. We got a call, you need to come see her, she is declining and we need to make some decisions.
It was a cold Friday morning. We held her in our arms while she faded away.
Her name was Nala. She was 9 years old. She had a smile that would light up the room. It was a privilege and a joy to have her in our family.
I get it.
This was me 10 years ago.
10 years ago, my 8 year old son was attacked by a German Shepard. Luckily the injuries were not severe, but psychologically it took its toll on him. He would not go near a dog. When walking to the park, if a dog was seen, we would have to find another route. He missed bday parties etc. if there were dogs. I happened to meet a lady and told her our story, he can't live this way. She asked what I thought about getting a puppy and letting them grow together. After my laughter died down I realized she wasnt laughing. She said really, think about it. Yeah right. The seed was planted. I researched and studied, all the while saying this isn't for me. I dont need more to do. I asked him, what do you think about puppies, would you be open to holding one. He said maybe. Through all my research, I decided a Golden Retriever might be a good fit. We found a breeder and asked if we could just come and test the waters with my son, there was a great possibility this was not happening. We were put in a large room with a litter. The pups all played with each other. One came out of the crowd to say hello. My son, along with the family, were agreeable. Great, I guess we do all kinds of things for our kids.
I was real about it, this was going to be my responsibility. I'll end up training, cleaning, doing everything. We do for our kids and if this helped my son develop a healthy relationship with dogs, I will step up.
The dog and I went through training classes. I was rather strict with her at home. Watched her like a hawk to see when she needed out. Made sure she did not get on furniture, did not jump on guests or chew what didnt belong to her. It came rather easy to her. She just wanted love and approval and she made sure I was happy. Well ok, maybe this wont be horrible. The 1st time we went away, we dropped her off at the kennel. I noticed when we left, she was not playing with others, she was in the corner by herself. Weird. I felt a tug in my heart. Something weird was happening with me, I was worrying about a dog. A dog.
As you all can see where this story is going... I started to get it. Her happiness mattered to me. Vacations meant leaving her. Hoping she was ok. Missing her. Walking in the front door meant an immediate greeting with her gorgeous smile and 'hi mom, i love you'. When she wasn't feeling well, and she threw up on the carpet, I worried about her, not the carpet. I didnt mind vacuuming every few days because of all the hair. It was needed exercise and time for her to practice letting the vacuum know she was the boss. All of the expensive trips to the groomer werent met with another chore to dread, it was hoping she was ok because she doesn't care for the loud hair dryers. I didnt even mind when the family would rev her up and she would get the zoomies and come jump on my bed and wake me in the mornings. She respected I didnt like doggie kisses, but she would nuzzle her face up between me and the pillow until she heard a giggle then would jump down. She helped my son trust again. She would get between me and anyone else that got to close. She wasnt mean about it, just made sure they understood there were boundaries. If my husband held my hand she would separate our hands, if he hugged me she would squeeze in. She sat by my side when my depressions hit. She would hug me when I needed it. There were days that got real dark, she just let me know she wasnt leaving my side.
Last year we bought our dream house finally. She was slowing down as old age does that to all of us. She had her yearly checkup just before we moved and vet said she was great looking. She seemed a bit depressed. Change can be hard. We made sure she had all of her comforts and everything that was home to her. I've never had a dog, I dont know what aging looks like, just figured this was typical. I was on the phone with my son. He gasped and said 'are you ok?' She fell. She got up, seemed ok and chalked it up to the new flooring she wasnt used to. I got home and immediately knew something was wrong. She was functioning, but just was off. 2 days, many tests a hospital visit, and a vet visit. nobody knew what was wrong. The vet kept her overnight to give her meds and supervision. We got a call, you need to come see her, she is declining and we need to make some decisions.
It was a cold Friday morning. We held her in our arms while she faded away.
Her name was Nala. She was 9 years old. She had a smile that would light up the room. It was a privilege and a joy to have her in our family.
I get it.
.
I am sorry your son was bitten, but you were so smart and brave to help him with his fears the way you did. I know a few people who are the way you first described. I will include a quote from veterinarian Dr. Pol at the end of this post if I can find it.
I think she’s going to be my emotional support animal when DD goes to college. And vice versa because she loves DD and will miss her. 
