I wonder if there's something you can do to have more exposure to different breeds of dogs before you make such a big commitment. I would NOT suggest volunteering at a shelter because you could be exposed to some pretty scary dogs - at least in my local shelter about half the dogs were pit bulls and even though I'm not in the least afraid of any dogs, I couldn't wait to get out of the pens where the pits were kept because of all the aggressive behavior.
Do you have any friends who have dogs? Maybe you could do some visiting just to get used to being around them? Or find a local rescue group that could use your help while knowing your current situation?
I hope you really can conquer this fear -- having a dog to love can be so rewarding. |