Need advice, Military and dogs - YorkieTalk.com Forums

misslissa · 09-10-2010, 04:15 PM

My best friend of 11 years has decided to join the army, and yes she is sure this is what she wants to do. it come as a surprise for us but not for her.
I'm still reeling from shock but our biggest problem, (other then my possible homelessness) is her dog he is old and dose not have a lot of time left,but she will most likely be gone for 5 years when she gets back it is almost a certainty that he will be gone. she was told she would not qualify for off base housing and she cant have him on base (only fish and small rodents). so the decision has been made for him to stay with me, now before you tell me he will adjust, he wont. she once left on vacation for 2 months and he sat at the door and cried he would not eat or drink he ended up at the vet 6 times for massive dehydration he was living on table scraps they could get him to eat.

so dose anyone have suggestions on how to get him to not miss his mommy so much.
oh yeah he is a 12 year old 12 pound Maltese he is blind from cataracts has grade 2 L.P.in his one hind leg has very bad digestion 7 fat deposits on his body and his mother and only sister (from his litter) died of kidney/liver issues

Anyone have any advice for me on how to not freak out my best friend is joining he army?

Patti · 09-10-2010, 06:48 PM

Sorry you will be missing your best friend. I always fear my dogs would not survive living with someone else, but many of the dogs in rescue or shelters where once some ones baby and do well when rehomed. I took in Nikki whose owner had a stroke 6 months ago, she had him for 2 1/2 years. He was a rescue who was found on the streets of Chicago. His previous owner said it took 6 months for him to adjust to her and after that he was glued to her side. Since I knew Nikki for about 6 months prior to taking him in he adjusted quickly to my home. From day one he glued himself to my side and settled into our routine. He is guessed to be 15-16 years old and still did very well with the change. Hopefully, your friends maltese will settle in given some time to grieve the loss of his old life. You may want to ask the vet what you can do to help with the transition from a medical standpoint. Maybe before your friend leaves you can try keeping him for a day or two at a time to help ease the transition. You are a good friend and I will keep your friend in my prayers for a safe journey in their new life.

Rhetts_mama · 09-10-2010, 07:11 PM

Tell your friend he has my appreciation for what he his going to be doing.

ShanPando · 09-10-2010, 08:48 PM

Wow. My husband is AD Army. I'm surprised at the rodent and fish only rule. We are at Fort Hood and although we live off post, animals are welcome on post as long as they are registered. There is a limit to how many, but I find it odd unless they are single and living in the barracks. If so, they should still be able to qualify for off post housing depending on rank. Strange.

None the less, I agree with the person above. Perhaps a few babysitting sessions first? This might enable the dog to feel comfortable with you and your surroundings. Blankets, socks, shirts, whatever that smell like mommy might be good to have also.

misslissa · 09-11-2010, 05:46 AM

my best friend is actually a woman she will be 21 in December and she was told fish and small rodents only and was told it was a very strict rule and she is just starting they told her off base housing has to be earned.

I have known poky since he was born (he was bread by her uncle who is a terrible terrible man) we have been friends as long as he has been alive.
Poky loves me but im not his mom the choice was between me or her mom (who would have to come home from a huge trip) really it was not a choice her mom would not care for him like i would. so he knows me and has stayed with me for up to a week before she came home i don't know how will react

i was a little relieved to it took Nikki 6 months to warm up so maybe in time poky will settle down. but then i have to worry about when she comes home on leave and starting all over again
do you think once he is settled he will be settled forever or will i have to start over everytime he sees his mom

baby yorkie · 09-11-2010, 06:51 AM

We are retired military (AF), my father retired Army, and now my boys are both Army. One is stationed at Ft Hood also. I think the rule is for the barracks. On-post housing for families has another rule. There is no way she can take him to the barracks and there will not be a way for her to care for him when she has long duty hours or gets a short/long tour. He will miss her, but try keeping something of hers around so he can smell her. My pek is almost 13 and has pretty much the same issues and doesn't have long left. It's best to keep her in her own environment so she knows it without seeing. Putting a blind dog in a new environment will totally confuse it...not to mention it will bump into everything. Good luck and I hope he does okay. My babies send hugs and kisses for him!

Lizzie07 · 09-11-2010, 08:34 AM

I've had a few dogs, not many, that I've fostered that were depressed for a while.

They do did get over it. Plus, I am very affectionate with my dogs and give them all lots of hugs, kisses and attention. They sometimes act like "okay, already." If I go by a dog, I touch her/him. I actually love the older dogs. Nearly every senior I've fostered has been easy. Hopefully if he knows you and you are affectionate with him, his transition will be easier. Dogs know how you feel about them, so love him and he will love you.

I don't know what agreement you have about vet expenses, but I can tell you, senior care is much more expensive. He should have routine bloodwork and a check up twice yearly. How are his teeth? If he hasn't had a dental lately, that might be something you want your friend to have done BEFORE she leaves. I'd also make sure your friend leaves you the money up front for emergency vet costs, too, unless you've agreed to take care of the expenses.

You are really sweet and a good friend to take her dog in. I predict it will be a rewarding experience for you and that you will come to love the dog as much as your friend does, if not more.

misslissa · 09-11-2010, 01:00 PM

poky cannot stay in his same environment but he will have Gatsby and they get along great so it will be fine i think not only that but im sure my furniture smell great to a dog its been through 12 kids 4 puppies and 5 cats before i got it.

As for vet care his vet (who is also our vet) is allowing my friend to set up a in office account (to be managed by me) for vet care she will be paying for it she already has $2300 in it but she wants to get it up to $3000 in case i have to cover his cremation and final expenses(do you think that's enough) he actually has pretty good teeth some are falling out but i guess its just old age because they are really white even in the back the only thing we might do is have his fat deposits removed because the extra weight is not good on his knee or the arthritis but yes that will be covered before she leaves she will also be sending me her debit cad so if him or me need something i can go ahead and get it she is also leaving me in charge of her bank account and all her property
in fact im her primary emergency contact with the army. so money will not be the issue and i know that if something life threatening come up our vet would let me pay her when i could and treat him anyway she really is that kinda vet.

laci32 · 09-11-2010, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misslissa

My best friend of 11 years has decided to join the army, and yes she is sure this is what she wants to do. it come as a surprise for us but not for her.
I'm still reeling from shock but our biggest problem, (other then my possible homelessness) is her dog he is old and dose not have a lot of time left,but she will most likely be gone for 5 years when she gets back it is almost a certainty that he will be gone. she was told she would not qualify for off base housing and she cant have him on base (only fish and small rodents). so the decision has been made for him to stay with me, now before you tell me he will adjust, he wont. she once left on vacation for 2 months and he sat at the door and cried he would not eat or drink he ended up at the vet 6 times for massive dehydration he was living on table scraps they could get him to eat.

so dose anyone have suggestions on how to get him to not miss his mommy so much.
oh yeah he is a 12 year old 12 pound Maltese he is blind from cataracts has grade 2 L.P.in his one hind leg has very bad digestion 7 fat deposits on his body and his mother and only sister (from his litter) died of kidney/liver issues

Anyone have any advice for me on how to not freak out my best friend is joining he army?

One thing that might help is if she could leave a few pieces of clothes yes not washed. Trust me this does help in the transistion. Also if you could get a recording of her voice telling him he will be ok etc whatever word she uses normal for soothing. If I can think of anything else I will post it. Good luck

Patti · 09-11-2010, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misslissa

my best friend is actually a woman she will be 21 in December and she was told fish and small rodents only and was told it was a very strict rule and she is just starting they told her off base housing has to be earned.

I have known poky since he was born (he was bread by her uncle who is a terrible terrible man) we have been friends as long as he has been alive.
Poky loves me but im not his mom the choice was between me or her mom (who would have to come home from a huge trip) really it was not a choice her mom would not care for him like i would. so he knows me and has stayed with me for up to a week before she came home i don't know how will react

i was a little relieved to it took Nikki 6 months to warm up so maybe in time poky will settle down. but then i have to worry about when she comes home on leave and starting all over again
do you think once he is settled he will be settled forever or will i have to start over everytime he sees his mom

I take Nikki every 2 weeks to the nursing home to see his previous owner. The first couple of times he wouldn't eat for a day or so and acted depressed. Now he loves to see Carol, but is happy to be back home with my girls and eats as soon as we get home. So at first he may be a little confused or sad but truly, Nikki has settled in like he lived here his whole life. You are doing a wonderful thing for your friend and she for our country.

misslissa · 09-11-2010, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patti

I take Nikki every 2 weeks to the nursing home to see his previous owner. The first couple of times he wouldn't eat for a day or so and acted depressed. Now he loves to see Carol, but is happy to be back home with my girls and eats as soon as we get home. So at first he may be a little confused or sad but truly, Nikki has settled in like he lived here his whole life. You are doing a wonderful thing for your friend and she for our country.

Thanks that dose help me feel better. to tell you all a secret i think im maybe projecting a little we have not been apart more then two weeks in 11 years. I realized today how much my life would change without her and i broke down im truly not sure what im gonna do

okay everyone thanks for the help im sure i will have more questions a little later on

09-10-2010, 04:15 PM	#1
misslissa YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: canton ohio us Posts: 1,574	Need advice, Military and dogs My best friend of 11 years has decided to join the army, and yes she is sure this is what she wants to do. it come as a surprise for us but not for her. I'm still reeling from shock but our biggest problem, (other then my possible homelessness) is her dog he is old and dose not have a lot of time left,but she will most likely be gone for 5 years when she gets back it is almost a certainty that he will be gone. she was told she would not qualify for off base housing and she cant have him on base (only fish and small rodents). so the decision has been made for him to stay with me, now before you tell me he will adjust, he wont. she once left on vacation for 2 months and he sat at the door and cried he would not eat or drink he ended up at the vet 6 times for massive dehydration he was living on table scraps they could get him to eat. so dose anyone have suggestions on how to get him to not miss his mommy so much. oh yeah he is a 12 year old 12 pound Maltese he is blind from cataracts has grade 2 L.P.in his one hind leg has very bad digestion 7 fat deposits on his body and his mother and only sister (from his litter) died of kidney/liver issues Anyone have any advice for me on how to not freak out my best friend is joining he army? __________________ Don't say I love you unless you mean it, but if you do say it a lot. People forget.

09-10-2010, 06:48 PM	#2
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Sorry you will be missing your best friend. I always fear my dogs would not survive living with someone else, but many of the dogs in rescue or shelters where once some ones baby and do well when rehomed. I took in Nikki whose owner had a stroke 6 months ago, she had him for 2 1/2 years. He was a rescue who was found on the streets of Chicago. His previous owner said it took 6 months for him to adjust to her and after that he was glued to her side. Since I knew Nikki for about 6 months prior to taking him in he adjusted quickly to my home. From day one he glued himself to my side and settled into our routine. He is guessed to be 15-16 years old and still did very well with the change. Hopefully, your friends maltese will settle in given some time to grieve the loss of his old life. You may want to ask the vet what you can do to help with the transition from a medical standpoint. Maybe before your friend leaves you can try keeping him for a day or two at a time to help ease the transition. You are a good friend and I will keep your friend in my prayers for a safe journey in their new life. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

09-10-2010, 07:11 PM	#3
Rhetts_mama Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	Tell your friend he has my appreciation for what he his going to be doing. __________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.

09-11-2010, 05:46 AM	#5
misslissa YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: canton ohio us Posts: 1,574	my best friend is actually a woman she will be 21 in December and she was told fish and small rodents only and was told it was a very strict rule and she is just starting they told her off base housing has to be earned. I have known poky since he was born (he was bread by her uncle who is a terrible terrible man) we have been friends as long as he has been alive. Poky loves me but im not his mom the choice was between me or her mom (who would have to come home from a huge trip) really it was not a choice her mom would not care for him like i would. so he knows me and has stayed with me for up to a week before she came home i don't know how will react i was a little relieved to it took Nikki 6 months to warm up so maybe in time poky will settle down. but then i have to worry about when she comes home on leave and starting all over again do you think once he is settled he will be settled forever or will i have to start over everytime he sees his mom __________________ Don't say I love you unless you mean it, but if you do say it a lot. People forget.

09-11-2010, 08:34 AM	#7
Lizzie07 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ball Ground, GA Posts: 1,262	I've had a few dogs, not many, that I've fostered that were depressed for a while. They do did get over it. Plus, I am very affectionate with my dogs and give them all lots of hugs, kisses and attention. They sometimes act like "okay, already." If I go by a dog, I touch her/him. I actually love the older dogs. Nearly every senior I've fostered has been easy. Hopefully if he knows you and you are affectionate with him, his transition will be easier. Dogs know how you feel about them, so love him and he will love you. I don't know what agreement you have about vet expenses, but I can tell you, senior care is much more expensive. He should have routine bloodwork and a check up twice yearly. How are his teeth? If he hasn't had a dental lately, that might be something you want your friend to have done BEFORE she leaves. I'd also make sure your friend leaves you the money up front for emergency vet costs, too, unless you've agreed to take care of the expenses. You are really sweet and a good friend to take her dog in. I predict it will be a rewarding experience for you and that you will come to love the dog as much as your friend does, if not more. __________________ Kristan Lizzy's mom

09-10-2010, 08:48 PM	#4
ShanPando Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 234	Wow. My husband is AD Army. I'm surprised at the rodent and fish only rule. We are at Fort Hood and although we live off post, animals are welcome on post as long as they are registered. There is a limit to how many, but I find it odd unless they are single and living in the barracks. If so, they should still be able to qualify for off post housing depending on rank. Strange. None the less, I agree with the person above. Perhaps a few babysitting sessions first? This might enable the dog to feel comfortable with you and your surroundings. Blankets, socks, shirts, whatever that smell like mommy might be good to have also.

09-11-2010, 06:51 AM	#6
baby yorkie YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: USA Posts: 947	We are retired military (AF), my father retired Army, and now my boys are both Army. One is stationed at Ft Hood also. I think the rule is for the barracks. On-post housing for families has another rule. There is no way she can take him to the barracks and there will not be a way for her to care for him when she has long duty hours or gets a short/long tour. He will miss her, but try keeping something of hers around so he can smell her. My pek is almost 13 and has pretty much the same issues and doesn't have long left. It's best to keep her in her own environment so she knows it without seeing. Putting a blind dog in a new environment will totally confuse it...not to mention it will bump into everything. Good luck and I hope he does okay. My babies send hugs and kisses for him!

09-11-2010, 01:00 PM	#8
misslissa YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: canton ohio us Posts: 1,574	poky cannot stay in his same environment but he will have Gatsby and they get along great so it will be fine i think not only that but im sure my furniture smell great to a dog its been through 12 kids 4 puppies and 5 cats before i got it. As for vet care his vet (who is also our vet) is allowing my friend to set up a in office account (to be managed by me) for vet care she will be paying for it she already has $2300 in it but she wants to get it up to $3000 in case i have to cover his cremation and final expenses(do you think that's enough) he actually has pretty good teeth some are falling out but i guess its just old age because they are really white even in the back the only thing we might do is have his fat deposits removed because the extra weight is not good on his knee or the arthritis but yes that will be covered before she leaves she will also be sending me her debit cad so if him or me need something i can go ahead and get it she is also leaving me in charge of her bank account and all her property in fact im her primary emergency contact with the army. so money will not be the issue and i know that if something life threatening come up our vet would let me pay her when i could and treat him anyway she really is that kinda vet. __________________ Don't say I love you unless you mean it, but if you do say it a lot. People forget.