A dog is a great companion. I have 2, a Lab and a Jack Russell, which we have had for 10 years. At this stage they aren't much work, except for cleaning up after they shed. We have invisible fencing so we do not need to take them outside or on walks.

However, if you get a puppy, they are like having a baby. A lot of work. House training, whining, etc. That being said, I love my little JRT who snuggles on the couch with me. She is a heater in her own way and her snuggles get me through the day. I feel many times that she is my lifeline. I have a great hubby and 2 great teenagers, so I have a lot of support, but Molly makes my heart (and body) warm!

Getting a dog is a very personal decision. I hope you make the choice that works for you.

We are adding a new dog this spring. Dogs at the shelters are usually older, many are trained and we don't have to worry about shots or needing to be fixed. I will be in the market for one at least 1 year old. GL!

dogs are awesome. Maybe look into a shelter dog, since puppies are so much work... and think outside the box on breed, my best companion was a treid and true mutt!

good luck. i find my pets invaluable for emotional health. Also, they make me laugh. cannot beat that... love AND laughter!

Yes, I think having a pet helps a lot. I happen to have two cats that were shelter cats. They are great pets.

Having a puppy is a lot of work. They are like having a 2 year old with teeth on the loose in the house. I like Westies too but they are a high energy dog. I don't think that is a good match for someone with Fibromyalgia. Think long and hard about exercise, cleaning up after them, cost of food and the vet etc. before taking on any animal.

If you insist on having a purebred, look for a dog that that has a calm temperament. One example of a small dog that is fabulous is a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. A friend of mine who has severe Degenerative Disc Disease has two. They are great little dogs generally and happy to nap the afternoon away.

Personally, I agree with everyone else. Try to find an older shelter dog who meets your needs. There are so many dogs in shelters who need homes. PetFinder.com lets you put in a lot of information to narrow your choices. There are a lot of great dogs in shelters that deserve a second chance. Many times their owners just got sick of having to care for them and dropped them off. Or, they moved and just left the dog behind to starve. The large majority of them don't deserve to be in a shelter.

Good luck with your decision. Take care and enjoy the weekend.

We got a little shelter dog (a Lassa Apso mix) about 3 years ago and she is the perfect dog for me. She doesn't shed, came well trained and is very smart. Small dogs are good for cuddling, and mine seems to know when I'm in pain and will sit next to me all day. I don't have the energy for a puppy.

Many shelters look for "foster parents" to take dogs home while they are waiting to be adopted. Maybe you could try that and get an idea of what kind of dog you'd like?

Take care.

BTW - if you are uncomfortable with a shelter dog, take a look around your area for an animal rescue. They routinely foster dogs in homes throughout your area. The foster can give you a report on the dog in question and usually they'll let you take a dog on a trial basis to see if it works out in your home. Take care.

Dogs are wonderful - we got our dog from the SPCA in 2007. The puppy period was hard and my fibro was better then. My son helped alot then too. All dogs need daily walks in my opinion. In good weather I can walk her for a short period of time occasionally, otherwise my son walks her. When my son leaves I am going to have to find a dog walker. With a large fenced yard 2 dogs could get their exercise playing with each other - we have a small fenced yard.

My dog is six now and she lets me rest now when I need to. I couldn't do puppy time now. Will your family help?

Next time I get a pet I am going to get a cat - they are easier to take care of (usually) and also have unconditional love. My husband wouldn't let me get another cat because our first cat acted like it was part devil - but he doesn't live here anymore so I could get a pet alien if I want. LOL

My dogs are great.

High energy dogs would be hard on both you and the dog. I agree one that is older and calm is a better match.

I have two little mutts, they do shed and I have to vaccum everyday.
They are my lap dogs both were rescue dogs. Roxey and Quita. They are both very jealous of each other. I just recently got the second thinking they would keep each other company and play together but they act like two fighting spoiled sisters.

I have a German Shepard and so does my daughter. We have had one since 1979. They are very smart loyal and loving. My dog is so laid back and loveable. A city repair guy got into our back yard without me knowing, he came knocking on my front door and said my Shepard had chased him out of the yard and he had to jump the fence. I couldn't hardly believe that this dog is sweet and loveable I did not realize how much he protects us.

Anyway pets add a lot to our lives and I hope you find the one for you.

If you have the right pet, pets are wonderful! I have a cat, and she brings happiness to me daily! I'd love to get a dog!

I think what some already said is on the dot. A puppy is difficult to train and may bring some stress, so keep that in mind when looking.

Since you're undecided about what kind, maybe go to a shelter a couple of times to look around at all the dogs there. You could also gain incite as to which dogs will shed more. Who knows, maybe you'll fall in love with one and bring it home!

The only downside to a shelter, you don't know how that dog will be once he gets home. Maybe look into some pet adoption programs where the dogs have been with foster families.

I would definitely recommend you get a dog or cat, though. They bring such joy!

I grew up with a german shepherd but now have a non shedding small dog. I would never go back to having a shedding dog. Never!
If you can teach your dog to fetch and then bring back the toy, the dog will get its exercise with minimal involvement from you and the dog will love you for the interaction.

Hi,
Pets are of course a personal decision. But when each of our children became very ill, my husband bought each of them a dog when they became bedridden. Yes I had to take the time to house train them, and teach them how to walk on the leash, but they knew how to take care of their owners. That comes natural.

When I received custody of my grandson, who was Autistic. my husband's dog, became my grandson's guardian. He played with him, snuggled with him, and laid down with him until he fell asleep, them came back out with us, as if to say, "OK, got the baby asleep now give me some attention I am exhausted" LOL.

Mini Schnauzers, were recommended for being a sturdy dog. If obedience training is an issue, you can hire someone to do that for you. I had a car wreck in 2011, had injuries including surgery to repair my shoulder. I was in a recliner couch for months. My husband brought me a little Coton de Tuleur. It was a rescue from a bad kennel. Had her house trained and potty trained in a week. She stays were I am 24/7. If I leave she lays down where she can watch the door until I return.

The extra work, is scheduling her day. What time you are going to feed her/him, potty time (I use a potty command so they know what they are supposed to do), if they do, they get a treat, and play time. Keep it on a schedule and the dog does very well, normally. And taking to groomer and vets for annual shots.

I had German Shepherds for years. My first lived 18 years. Great guard dogs and companions. Lots of work in training and exercising. Brushing out daily to control the shedding and the clean up of shedding. People always asked if I had cats because of the hair. Great personality, too much work for me at this stage of my illness. If you go for a German Shepherd, teach it to run on a treadmill. My brother does that with his big dogs. I always did 3 miles a day with my shepherd, but I was in good shape then.

Wish you luck. To me, the unconditional love from a pet is irreplaceable.