Pets and PWD - To get one, or not

I agree with the pro's, but I would also speak to the negatives. My partner is a lifelong animal lover and we have had mutliples (dogs, cats, chickens, wildlife). This became an obsession for her as her disease progressed, and became almost uncontrollable--she wanted to feed them multiple times a day but couldn't remember that she'd done it, and would not take no for an answer. I had to hide the pet food and the truck keys, because she was always wanting to drive to the store to buy more. Then she would also feed them inappropriate things--such as giving birdseed and chicken feed to the cats. She would wander downstairs in the dark at 2 am to feed them, posing an additional fall hazard. So i would say that unless the caregiver is prepared to take on all the responsibility, it can have significant negatives as well. To this day in MC, when my partner sundowns, she asks where her animals are and insists she has to leave to take care of them.

If you do get a dog, make sure you know the history of the dog. Some have been abused or have come from a puppy mill. They are scared and stressed and require a great deal of patience. Go on Petfinder or Adopt-a-Pet and look at dogs who are being rehomed by their owner. Please know that I don't mean that everyone should not adopt a puppy mill dog. On the contrary, I would encourage anyone who has the experience and patience would do a great service to the dogs. Also, dogs who are fostered will already be more adaptive to a new environment and foster can tell you about the dog's behavior.

If fact, I am looking for a new fur baby and would only consider dogs who have been rescued. We just lost our dog a couple of weeks ago and we cannot bear not hearing paws tapping across the floor, walks and cuddling.

Also, beware when you lose them the grief will overcome you.

Adding to what others have said.

You can't always predict how a PWD will interact with a pet going forward as the disease progresses. Three of the four PWD I knew reacted in ways I would not have predicted.

My sweet auntie's MCF had a toy poodle therapy dog who she adored; the pup looked just like one she'd had when I was a kid. He adored her as well and consistently favored her over other residents.

My friend's mother who was Oma to all the kids and doted on pets her entire life, started harassing my friend's cats. She would chase them and yell at them in German. Their home was large enough that the kitties could avoid her upstairs and would hang with my friend once mom was tucked in for the night. She was upset the cats wouldn't come to her, so my friend got mom a Joy for All cat which was seemed to solve the problem.

My nasty aunt remained devoted to her Siamese cats but then she always preferred them to people.

It was the same with my dad. He was not a pleasant individual and had quite a temper but was reliably kind to his cat and mine. He never participated in pet care so we didn't have to worry about him feeding one. That said, there was that one time he had too much to drink and bought a puppy off some randos at the town's annual pig race and brought it home. That didn't work out, but mom was able to rehome him to the vet tech.

After mom's cat and dad passed, she adopted a senior cat from a friend of my niece's who was moving to Hawaii. It's been great. A friend of mine adopted a senior cat from a shelter that offered free veterinary care for those who take older pets into their homes. Often these are sweet animals who outlived their humans.

HB

My DH loved our cat, but as his Alz progressed, he started yelling at the cat and even hit him once. Our cat’s heart was broken because he was never treated badly by his “dad.” I felt so bad for the cat. In my situation - I would never get another animal - DH is just too unpredictable. But, that’s just our situation. I love animals and would have dogs and cats if we were younger and healthy!

You can never predict what a PWD will do and for that reason alone I feel bringing in a pet is not a good idea.

Three years ago my daughter got a puppy from a rescue place for me for my birthday. I wasn’t sure if I would have the time nor the patience for a puppy. My dh had a fit! Complaining about the time I spent with her and not him. Basically he was jealous! Fast forward 4 months and you would have thought she was his dog! He smiled more, spent time rubbing her petting her! Now 3 years later he still smiles at her (which is something he seldom does) will get up out of his chair to give her a treat, she watches him like a hawk, it’s like she knows he’s not doing well now. She will sit in the floor close by but not in his way. If I’m in the kitchen and he starts moving around in his chair she will come get me so I can check on him. Have no idea what breed nor do I care,she is a loving little girl and I don’t know what either of us would do with out her. If anything should happen to us my daughter will take her home to her house (and her other 3 dogs).

I like everything mayor Ed says, except this, that cats pretty much take care of themselves. I have four cats and they need quite a lot of attention. In fact, I feel somewhat bad because all of my cats have had medical issues that I was late in recognizing, because I was not attentive. My cat Simon had a stoke and became blind. I didn't think he would make it but he is still here and doing fairly well, considering his age of nineteen years, which is ninety-two in human years. But I had to give him very close twenty-four hour attention witg his twice daily medications and physical therapy, to get him to this level. Also spent thousands of dollars at the animal clinic. Care for four cats tires me out, but I am in for the duration. Even though my cats are trip hazards.

I think any caregiver who gets a new pet should be prepared to accept full responsibility and care for the animal.

Iris

We've always had dogs and cats - several at a time - and my partner couldn't be without at least a couple cats. I do most of the actual work but they love her best. We have a complicated dog right now and that does not go particularly well sometimes because she doesn't read the dog's communication and doesn't understand how her actions contribute to the dog's issues.

We just lost our yorkie, who was the perfect dementia doggy. I'm not planning to get another dog until my partner is safely in memory care and I can get a younger, active dog for me.

Love the picture of Emma Jeff. I remember when she did that. So darn smart. So is Riley! He knows how to open doors, a dubious skill that has caused me much bafflement. If they’re locked he’ll scratch the heck out of them.

Love these photos, everyone! When my DH was diagnosed, we decided to get a dog. I wanted one for him (He’d been wanting one for a long time.) And he wanted one for me (To have a companion after he was gone.) Having Sugar has been a huge blessing to us both. I did wonder how my DH would react with her as he progressed, but so far, so good. Let’s face it, we really don’t know how our spouse will react in the future. I can only say that for me, she has been my loving companion when I’ve needed it.

Here’s our girl, best dog for us.

There are so many different Rescue organizations. I have Rescues. We promised we would contact the Rescue organization if they needed new home(s) for any reason.

My mentor knows LOTS of Rescue people. It is like an invisible network of people caring for pets. I believe there are some groups that will take in pets that have outlived their owners. Some groups do an excellent job of knowing the activity level, obedience level, and will help you get the correct match.

Your Vet may know a Rescue person. They might be able to help you. My first adopted dog was taken to the vet by her owner & told to just put her down why the human found what her health issue was. The vet called someone & the community of Rescues started communicating. She was 3 and lived almost to 17. The tin can on a string network can work wonders!

Our sweet Max keeps us moving for sure.