Should I get a dog?

Question

I've been felling really depressed these past few years and my cousin seeing that I've been low, suggested I should get a dog. But I don't know if I want to invest emotional attatchment to something that will last me about ten years. For those of you who have had a pet pass on, was the experience worth it after all the grief? I'm a really grievous person and I wouldnt know how to handle it.

Answer 1

Getting a dog to fix what ails you is like having a baby to fix a marriage. Don't take on the responsibility of another life if you aren't going to be able to see it through. On of my two Chow Chows passed last summer, and I miss her every day. It hasn't gotten any less painful. Maybe you should just get a hobby or volunteer at an animal shelter.

Answer 2

Oh, dear. Don't get a dog for the sole reason you are depressed, you will become less depressed and not need your dog anymore. If you are serious about getting a dog, then be very careful about the breed. I would suggest a mutt from the pound, your emotional attachment will be stronger and even if the dog will only live 1 more year it will be worth it SO MUCH MORE than a new pup.
Beware though of some of the shelter dogs, they might be very hard to train and are vicious and you will only end up with more grief and returning them to the shelter. Ask the shelter staff for help in choosing the sweetest dog there. Other than that, DON"T buy from a pet store. Breeds (if you want a breed) that are good therapy dogs are Cavalier king charles spaniels, golden and labrador retrievers, and some Great Danes.I recommend the cavalier king charles spaniel. They are some of the sweetest, most affectionate dogs out there, even if the cost of getting one is expensive they are worth it.

Hope this answers your question!
Good Luck.

Answer 3

I think you need to deal with your fear of death. Dogs eventually die. People eventually die as well. I think you are having a hard time dealing with that, because it's not something you normally consider when you think about getting a pet. Pets can be very therapaeutic. I feel healthier since I got my dog, and I've always enjoyed having them around. I've had many dogs in my life, and all of them have passed away at some point. It is depressing and deserving of more respect than most people give, but it's not a life-ending event. Neither is the loss of a loved person. If you can not deal with that then you have bigger problems than pet ownership.

That said, dogs are wonderful friends who love you unconditionally. They don't do any of the horrible things people do, so the years you get are so much better than with people. So yeah, it's totally worth it. Now excuse me while I go deal with my social phobia :)

Answer 4

What is there to lose? A dog is a great companion and I think you will find that it will help you alot. Then if your bored you and the dog can go to the park. It will be waiting for you at the door when you come home and it will worship the ground you walk on. There are not many people that are willing to be that devoted. You should visit your local shelter to get your new dog. You will be giving a homeless dog a chance for a loving home and alot of times you can get a dog that is already housetrained. The people who work at the shelter know the dogs and they should be able to match a dog to your needs.(I swear they know that you rescued them and are appreciative.) And it is hard to lose a pet I have a 13 year old Lab that is my soul mate and I am dreading the day that he leaves me but I will take comfort in knowing that I gave him a good life with lots of love and that there are alot of dogs out there that aren't that lucky. And his passing will allow me to have another dog that I can give a good life to. Good Luck!

Answer 5

I've had a bunch of run-away hamsters.I cried one time when a fat one ran away,that was when I was 8. But now I am 10 and when my hamsters run away,I just stare at nature and hope they are ok.
I used to have a cat(*****!!) slay my bunnies and the ***** bit their heads off. I didn't see,but my uncle told me. The ***** also killed two baby rabbit of my last rabbit. She's still here. I love her.
We believe that Panda(territorial bully) chased away the cat(we haven't seen in a long time).
I have produced a few tears thinking about killed Bing and Lego. But I'm fine now.

The cat is not mine and I have not seen it more than 1 time!Only once. I think it's a stray,but we are not sure. I just wanna eat the idiot.

Answer 6

well not to scare you at all but my pet passed unfortunately very young, barely 1 years old...he had a mental problem and if we kept him alive for his life he would be living on a machine and never know anything about everything....=(poor guy...now i look up in the sky and think of him and the good times and i think of how he has a better life with god cause he was not no devil dog!
lol
but a pet passing on can be hard but you have to think of the good times...don't be worrying about all that when you first buy a dog think of what you guys are going to do because thinking about bad stuff can effect your poor dog=(

and I think a dog would be good, honestly people say get a little dog because they are not that high maintnance but i have 2 huge dogs and they are GREAT, you should get a bird dog.. but don't get a beagle because I have been bitten about 4 times by my grandparents for no reasons...1 was because I was eating food and she jumped up and bit me in the eye!!!!
i love her but if your going through the rough times that is not a type of dog that you need!

get a bird dog
pointers
labs
etc.
they are really good family dogs and they are really loyal to their owners, and lots of fun!
be aware of shedding, and don't feed them too much food a day if they are not real active
you don't have to take dogs on walks everyday if you don't want to but it would be respectful to a dog to take 'em out to a park and walk them on a leash every once in a while!


hope this helps
and have fun
goodluck && BE HAPPY

by the way bird dogs bond good, but they last 12 years!
but 12 years won't go by fast if you spend the time with them nicely!

Answer 7

Dogs do help with depression, but you don't want to count on a dog, you want to count on yourself first. I would recommend therapy first and maybe a while into it, getting a dog. Loosing an animal is like loosing a member of your family. But as with members of your family, it was still worth it having them in your lives and all the great memories you will have.

Answer 8

Yes, it's worth it. What they will give you during the years of their lives will be worth it.

I've grieved over many pets and there were several that were like siblings or best friends or both to me. I still miss them.

But my life would be much smaller and less interesting without the years those animals spent with me. I treasure them all and their memories.

Answer 9

you poor soul. i suggest you go get a dog because they are much better than human. it's not only something that last about 10 years; he/she might be one of your hearty accompany who takes his/her 10 years or so just to lead you out of your dismays of life. everything has an end,and that just the way the world is, u can do nothing but deal with it. make yourself a happy person otherwise i suggest you do some meditation at home.

Answer 10

It's very depressing when a dog passes away, but it's totally worth it! Your dog will give you so many good memories in it's lifetime.