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zatorskijoan · 04-24-2007, 12:08 PM

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Hi there, JellyLegs,
I'm posting here, basically, for the first time and I just happened to come across your letter. We have so much in common despite the fact that I'm old enough to be your mom! (I'm 52 , happily married to a very special guy and have 4 sons: 26, 25, 24, 16)
I have a severe level of fibromyalgia, which falls under the category of rheumatologic diseases. I have perhaps three "good" days a week when, for perhaps a total of 6 hours, I can get out of bed, walk around the house, sometimes even get out and about. But due to extreme all-over body pain and incredible fatigue, I am bed-ridden the rest of the time. So I have a pretty good understanding of how impotent you might feel sometimes.

I, too, was doing research about dogs (I'm a total dog-addict) and discovered Canine Crossroads, which is an organization which trains dogs to be all different types of therapy/service/guide dogs. They are structured very similar to Guide Dogs of America (for the blind) but they focus on people with other types of disorders. Canine Crossroads has used many Australian Labradoodles as Therapy Dogs (this is NOT the same as a lap dog that is strictly a companion) and as I read your letter, I was thinking that a Therapy or Service Dog (already trained) might be something for you to look into. Take a look at their web-site (www.caninecrossroads.com) and then go to www.rutlandmanor.com, which is the website of the Australian woman responsible for refining the Australian Labradoodle into the incredible therapy-dog potential creature it is today. I think you would find it very illuminating.

Now, aside from the idea of a service/therapy dog, and thinking about a little dog just to be a total love-bug for you to cuddle and talk with and snuggle under the sheets or in the chair (on a good day!),from all my research (looking for the same thing) I think you are right to consider a super-small breed like a Yorkie. Have you read Jazzy? It the true story of a famous writer who lost her husband and was given a Yorkie puppy to help her as she grieved. Of course, she fell in love with the dog! I think you'll enjoy the story and though I probably don't have the title exactly right, I'm SURE someone in this group will know the correct title and let you know.

Now I KNOW folks on this group will be unhappy if I bring up another breed, but due to your specific situation and question, I think it's ok to mention several other breeds that might meet your needs. I think a Maltese might also be a great breed for you, too. They are a little more on the gentle side in comparison to the Yorkie, which has a little more of a "cocky" attitude or terrier attitude, which is so endearing when it is coming out of such a tiny body as a Yorkie. But I think you must consider that Yorkies do like to do a lot of running, jumping, being mischevious and you need to evaluate your own medical situation to determine what type of temperament and activity level would be best both for you AND the dog.

For example, if you have a catheter or have several catheters, would a seven pound bundle of cuteness jumping on top of them, playing with the tubing, etc. create a health problem, put you in an uncomfortable situation in a tube should be bit into, etc. Since I don't know your medical particulars, I'm only bringing this up as something to consider when choosing temperament of your doggie.

Also, do you feel sold on the idea of getting a puppy? Of course, they are cute beyond words, but there are also many positives in getting a dog that is 1-3 years old or even older. That is: you know exactly what kind of personality you will be getting, the dog has already gone through training (house-breaking) and is socialized. This would take a LOT of pressure off your mom, who probably already has a lot on her plate taking care of her home, your special needs, and just the daily doings of life. Puppies really ARE a LOT of work and there are many excellent , fully grown dogs out there who would like to go to their forever home. For example, breeders who show dogs may have a dog they thought would develop into show caliber, but maybe has a crocked tooth or an undescended testicle and can't be shown. But it would make a perfect lap dog! There are many dogs like that out there.

I hope I've given you some helpful information and some things to think about to make this important decision a good one for you and your new love-to-be! You sound like a very thoughtful and mature person with a lot of love to give and it sound to me as though you are going to be a fantastic "dog guardian"! Please write back and let everyone know how you are doing and what decisions you've made about getting your dog!
Warmly,
Joan in Tucson, Arizona

04-24-2007, 12:08 PM	#41
zatorskijoan No Longer a Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 15	Yorkie/Therapy Dog [F][/FONT] Hi there, JellyLegs, I'm posting here, basically, for the first time and I just happened to come across your letter. We have so much in common despite the fact that I'm old enough to be your mom! (I'm 52 , happily married to a very special guy and have 4 sons: 26, 25, 24, 16) I have a severe level of fibromyalgia, which falls under the category of rheumatologic diseases. I have perhaps three "good" days a week when, for perhaps a total of 6 hours, I can get out of bed, walk around the house, sometimes even get out and about. But due to extreme all-over body pain and incredible fatigue, I am bed-ridden the rest of the time. So I have a pretty good understanding of how impotent you might feel sometimes. I, too, was doing research about dogs (I'm a total dog-addict) and discovered Canine Crossroads, which is an organization which trains dogs to be all different types of therapy/service/guide dogs. They are structured very similar to Guide Dogs of America (for the blind) but they focus on people with other types of disorders. Canine Crossroads has used many Australian Labradoodles as Therapy Dogs (this is NOT the same as a lap dog that is strictly a companion) and as I read your letter, I was thinking that a Therapy or Service Dog (already trained) might be something for you to look into. Take a look at their web-site (www.caninecrossroads.com) and then go to www.rutlandmanor.com, which is the website of the Australian woman responsible for refining the Australian Labradoodle into the incredible therapy-dog potential creature it is today. I think you would find it very illuminating. Now, aside from the idea of a service/therapy dog, and thinking about a little dog just to be a total love-bug for you to cuddle and talk with and snuggle under the sheets or in the chair (on a good day!),from all my research (looking for the same thing) I think you are right to consider a super-small breed like a Yorkie. Have you read Jazzy? It the true story of a famous writer who lost her husband and was given a Yorkie puppy to help her as she grieved. Of course, she fell in love with the dog! I think you'll enjoy the story and though I probably don't have the title exactly right, I'm SURE someone in this group will know the correct title and let you know. Now I KNOW folks on this group will be unhappy if I bring up another breed, but due to your specific situation and question, I think it's ok to mention several other breeds that might meet your needs. I think a Maltese might also be a great breed for you, too. They are a little more on the gentle side in comparison to the Yorkie, which has a little more of a "cocky" attitude or terrier attitude, which is so endearing when it is coming out of such a tiny body as a Yorkie. But I think you must consider that Yorkies do like to do a lot of running, jumping, being mischevious and you need to evaluate your own medical situation to determine what type of temperament and activity level would be best both for you AND the dog. For example, if you have a catheter or have several catheters, would a seven pound bundle of cuteness jumping on top of them, playing with the tubing, etc. create a health problem, put you in an uncomfortable situation in a tube should be bit into, etc. Since I don't know your medical particulars, I'm only bringing this up as something to consider when choosing temperament of your doggie. Also, do you feel sold on the idea of getting a puppy? Of course, they are cute beyond words, but there are also many positives in getting a dog that is 1-3 years old or even older. That is: you know exactly what kind of personality you will be getting, the dog has already gone through training (house-breaking) and is socialized. This would take a LOT of pressure off your mom, who probably already has a lot on her plate taking care of her home, your special needs, and just the daily doings of life. Puppies really ARE a LOT of work and there are many excellent , fully grown dogs out there who would like to go to their forever home. For example, breeders who show dogs may have a dog they thought would develop into show caliber, but maybe has a crocked tooth or an undescended testicle and can't be shown. But it would make a perfect lap dog! There are many dogs like that out there. I hope I've given you some helpful information and some things to think about to make this important decision a good one for you and your new love-to-be! You sound like a very thoughtful and mature person with a lot of love to give and it sound to me as though you are going to be a fantastic "dog guardian"! Please write back and let everyone know how you are doing and what decisions you've made about getting your dog! Warmly, Joan in Tucson, Arizona