My grandfather wants a dog, saying he can take care of it, but my mom and I don't think he will be able to. My mom has a problem with her shoulder that is very painful. My grandfather will only allow her to help him at home. She has made it clear she is not able to help him take care of a dog, and will not do so. I am busy with work and school, and honestly I can't stand animal messes, and he probably would not let me help anyway. He insists he can take care of the dog. We think its best to discourage him from getting a dog, rather than my mom, with her own health problems, or me who cannot deal with animal messes, eventually getting stuck taking care of a pet that we did not want. We all live within a few minutes of each other but not in the same house.We also do want Grandpa to overexert himself with the dog, or the dog to be neglected. Before you call us selfish, keep in mind that my mom put her whole life on hold for 2 years to care for him when he was very sick.
2007-06-03 14:00:42 · 5 answers · asked by Melissa 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
we were not planning on stopping him from getting a dog...wjust made it clear we cant be on dog duty call.
2007-06-03 15:08:37 · update #1
It sounds like Grandpa may feel alone and wants a companion. A dog may be the very thing to help him feel better and maintain as much independence as possible. Since you live so close to him maybe give him a dog on a trial basis and at the first sign of neglect remove the dog from the home, let Grandpa know these are the conditions. A well trained dog can work wonders for the elderly. Give it a try, it could turn out to be his best friend and just the lift he needs to recovery.
2007-06-03 14:12:25 · answer #1 · answered by Queen Diva 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Old people get lonely and feel useless, a pet can give them both companionship and a feeling of self worth, especially a dog. In all honesty give him the dog, he will die one day, so why can't he have a dog now? I mean it's not like he can have one later. Also not all dogs are alot of work. Some are really just upgraded versions of cats, all they really need is a small yard to piss and poop in. Get him nothing bigger than a toy breed. They eat little, don’t cost much, their pop is small and they can get enough exercise just running around a house. Also most people are too busy to give a dog what every pack animal needs, company and attention, because your grandpa doest work the dog will get plenty of this. I’ve seen many older people do this, and let me just say…they become so much happier when they feel needed and have company that isn’t just a guilt forced visit. Also because you SHOULD get a toy breed, no matter how old the dog is when your grandpa can no longer take care of him…he WILL get adopted by another family (I’ve volunteered at a shelter before). So just give him the company he desires, because life is too short to restrict.
2007-06-03 21:15:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
An animal can be very supportive for invalids of all kinds. The light exercise that comes with an animal is usually beneficial not detrimental. There is no way that I can know the physical condition of your Grandfather. But if he is mobile I would say let him have the dog. Get him a smaller animal and it will be a blessing to all of you. If, as you think it might, this does not work out. There are many other alternatives than being stuck with the dog.
Does your Grandfather have a yard? Is there room to exercise the dog? Things to think about!!
2007-06-03 21:10:42 · answer #3 · answered by Traveler 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you guys should let him have the dog. Im not a big fan of animals but i think it would be good for him. if you get him one that's already trained then i think having a dog could be helpful not only to your grandfather but also to your mother. They can't always get up and get things for themselves so a well trained dog could maybe assist them. The only real problem he would have would walking it and it can't be that much of a problem either because there are plenty of people he could pay to do it for him (people really do make livings off of walking other peoples dogs)
2007-06-03 21:18:25 · answer #4 · answered by nobody 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I honetly think you should let him. he is probly lonely and want something around that he has to take care of since he is being taken care of. Please let him have it, he is just lonly and want to feel needed...GOD BLESS
2007-06-03 21:17:18 · answer #5 · answered by Christina M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋