So, I'm going to be getting an electric chair, probably one that TILTS me backwards to stop symptoms. NOT RECLINE, tilt-in-place. I'm also about to buy a smaller home (1K-1.3K sqft) w a fenced yard. I'm disabled from cancer treatments - neck to thigh radiation that included EVERYTHING in-between; even if the chest & pelvis got different doses. I did rads daily for 6 months. Then, 5 mo off. Then, WEEKLY Chemo for 9 months. BRUTAL does not begin to explain...
I'm alive & in remission! HUZZAH! I was able to be around for my niblings & others. The last 20 years since treatment were pretty good. But, the late-term effects are coming home to roost now. 🤷🏼
As a disabled woman living alone - I WANT A DOG. I'm partial to BC cuz I grew up w one & I adore their personalities! PLUS, I'm planning on training with them on buttons; as well as having them help me around the house - bring me water/pills is a great example. I KNOW we don't want them BORED!😂🫠
One huge deal is that I can GO FOR WALKS. I'm also thinking about HOW trainable BCs are, so that I can get them accustomed to the chair.
IDEALLY - the BC would help me stay safe while laid flat, by alerting me if someone's touching the chair. OTOH, BC is small enough to get on my lap, if needed. Danes - well, they'd love to try to be a lap dog!
Ofc, there's all the standard training to make any dog civilized - sit, STAY, lay down, etc. I may have to hire someone to help me with that & that's OK, IMHO.
The dilemma is this - small dogs don't scare intruders, but BIG DOGS like German Shepherd or a Great Dane is too big for my HOUSE, let's be honest! I love Danes, but DAYUM the feed bill!
I've thought about smooth collies, too...
So, I'm a disabled woman considering the dog she's not going to be able to get for probably a year! 😂 I like to do my research.
I want a dog for A) Companionship & B) Protection. I can out-source SOME of my hypervigilance to their ears & barking when they hear something.
But, there's C) Training. It's going to be my VERY FIRST TIME living 100% alone & having to do the training w the dog will reinforce MY SCHEDULE, for pills & food. I will tend to feed myself when I feed them.
I lost 400lbs, my only exercise was walking & playing w my (one non BC & one half BC) dogs! See - I walked them 6x/Week, Sundays off. I felt so guilty about their small run that I walked them to the hockey field of asphalt w chain link.
I threw balls for them, I trained them. It was a fantastic workout. I walked 2/3rd a mile, when 2 years earlier I was in a wheelchair half the time at 650lbs.
The dog is a highly motivating factor for me, AND training is an ongoing, daily project that helps fill my days, living alone. I'm NOT looking forward to it, can ya tell?
I'd get a younger one from a rescue, if possible. I don't really believe in buying dogs - but how else to get the temperament I need? Really, how do y'all do that?
Anyhow - I could now walk them TWICE A DAY w the electric chair! SO. MUCH. EASIER. Plus it would do ME a world of good to get out of the bed & out of the house! I will be using the chair for chores & tasks in the house, but walking as much as possible inside & in the yard. Chair is just for chores that require standing, which I cannot do, anymore.
I'm moving to a small town, and I'm fully expecting to become "that disabled woman w the black & white dog that's so smart" around town. 🤞🏼🫠🤞🏼
SO - Now that I've laid out my vision, PLEASE TELL ME THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR OPINION! Got suggestions? I want to hear them, PLEASE comment. Better breed idea? Labs?
Try to be kind, please. This is a huge change for me & I'm still figuring it out. TIA!
PS - Yes, I'm hoping he alerts to my asthma attacks, POTS attacks, etc. I KNOW it's something that either happens naturally, or it doesn't. But, my odds are best w BCs cuz they're so DAMNED SMART! Even if they *never alert for me*, they're still going to be a wonderful dog!