Hi everyone! I just joined this forum, after reading several posts and seeing how helpful and friendly people are here. 
My husband and I have been talking about getting a puppy/dog for quite a while now. We have one cat. We had a dog before (adopted at the age of 7), and that was my only dog I ever had in my life. She was the best dog ever. Very mellow, well-behaved, quiet, etc. It's been about 5 years since she passed.
We live in a place where it is very difficult to adopt dogs from shelters. As soon as a dog is available for adoption, they are usually adopted within hours (which is great for the dogs, but not so great for people looking to adopt). We have applied for several dogs, but they are either adopted by the time we apply, or they are not good with cats.
So, we decided to buy a puppy. We put a deposit on a Rottweiler a few weeks ago. We are supposed to be getting her in a couple of weeks. But we are both having second thoughts. We're not really sure if we're ready for this commitment and all the work involved.
I have never had a puppy, so I am very nervous about having one. My husband works a lot, so I will be the one taking care of the puppy in every aspect. My husband is starting to think that it is unfair for me to have to do all the work. I work part-time from home, so I have some free time, but I am also responsible for everything that gets done, such as housecleaning, cooking, errands, appointments, etc (for both myself and my husband). I also have anxiety, and I get stressed out very easily. But part of me thinks that maybe a dog might help with that.
I'm also a little nervous about the breed. I hear they make great pets if properly trained. But I fear that if I fail, she could become aggressive or just difficult to handle physically. (I also recently injured my back, so I'm afraid that if my back pain doesn't soon go away, it may affect my ability to hold on to her when she gets bigger.)
I am one of those people who doesn't do something half-assed. I either give it my all, or don't do it at all. So, I plan to put in the time and effort to train her, but sometimes I wonder if I will be able to do it. I have read lots of articles online and have watched plenty of Youtube videos. There just seems to be so much to do and so much to remember!
When I think about not getting her, I get pretty depressed, but I also feel very relieved. Then, when I think that I should get her, I feel really stressed, and can't even function because that's all I'm thinking about.
Part of me wants a companion so bad, and something to care for. But part of me wants to keep my freedom and keep our life as it is now.
We have fostered 5 adult dogs over the last few years. My hope when fostering them was that we would want to adopt, but I never bonded to any of the dogs that we fostered. Honestly, after a few weeks, I couldn't wait for them to be adopted so I could have my freedom back. I know that sounds selfish, but I'm just being honest.
I am also very indecisive and tend to overthink everything, which is part of the reason I feel this way!
Oh, and another thing... I'm allergic to pet dander (and other things). Several months ago I finally found an antihistamine that works well for me and I take it daily. But part of me worries about if I need to stop taking them someday for some reason. I am absolutely miserable without the antihistamines.
Anyway, these are just some random thoughts I have been dealing with lately. I would love it if you guys would offer me your opinions or suggestions. Or maybe someone here has been in a similar situation and can offer some words of encouragement.
Thanks for reading this long-winded post!!
My husband and I have been talking about getting a puppy/dog for quite a while now. We have one cat. We had a dog before (adopted at the age of 7), and that was my only dog I ever had in my life. She was the best dog ever. Very mellow, well-behaved, quiet, etc. It's been about 5 years since she passed.
We live in a place where it is very difficult to adopt dogs from shelters. As soon as a dog is available for adoption, they are usually adopted within hours (which is great for the dogs, but not so great for people looking to adopt). We have applied for several dogs, but they are either adopted by the time we apply, or they are not good with cats.
So, we decided to buy a puppy. We put a deposit on a Rottweiler a few weeks ago. We are supposed to be getting her in a couple of weeks. But we are both having second thoughts. We're not really sure if we're ready for this commitment and all the work involved.
I have never had a puppy, so I am very nervous about having one. My husband works a lot, so I will be the one taking care of the puppy in every aspect. My husband is starting to think that it is unfair for me to have to do all the work. I work part-time from home, so I have some free time, but I am also responsible for everything that gets done, such as housecleaning, cooking, errands, appointments, etc (for both myself and my husband). I also have anxiety, and I get stressed out very easily. But part of me thinks that maybe a dog might help with that.
I'm also a little nervous about the breed. I hear they make great pets if properly trained. But I fear that if I fail, she could become aggressive or just difficult to handle physically. (I also recently injured my back, so I'm afraid that if my back pain doesn't soon go away, it may affect my ability to hold on to her when she gets bigger.)
I am one of those people who doesn't do something half-assed. I either give it my all, or don't do it at all. So, I plan to put in the time and effort to train her, but sometimes I wonder if I will be able to do it. I have read lots of articles online and have watched plenty of Youtube videos. There just seems to be so much to do and so much to remember!
When I think about not getting her, I get pretty depressed, but I also feel very relieved. Then, when I think that I should get her, I feel really stressed, and can't even function because that's all I'm thinking about.
Part of me wants a companion so bad, and something to care for. But part of me wants to keep my freedom and keep our life as it is now.
We have fostered 5 adult dogs over the last few years. My hope when fostering them was that we would want to adopt, but I never bonded to any of the dogs that we fostered. Honestly, after a few weeks, I couldn't wait for them to be adopted so I could have my freedom back. I know that sounds selfish, but I'm just being honest.
I am also very indecisive and tend to overthink everything, which is part of the reason I feel this way!
Oh, and another thing... I'm allergic to pet dander (and other things). Several months ago I finally found an antihistamine that works well for me and I take it daily. But part of me worries about if I need to stop taking them someday for some reason. I am absolutely miserable without the antihistamines.
Anyway, these are just some random thoughts I have been dealing with lately. I would love it if you guys would offer me your opinions or suggestions. Or maybe someone here has been in a similar situation and can offer some words of encouragement.
Thanks for reading this long-winded post!!