Jim .... I loved your story. Right now I am struggling terribly. Several years ago I had a Cavalier Charles Spaniel, whom I just put down about a year ago - the classic congestive heart failure that seems to be part of the breed - she was 11. I'm 73, divorced, live alone in a limited-income apartment and life has not been the same since she's been gone. I had her since she was 4 - she was what they call a "velcro-dog." Well, it's a year now, and I'm terribly lonesome. I moved nearer to where my girls live, after much hounding, and otherwise here I am .... they keep saying to "get in a women's 'meet up' group" ..... that is NOT me. I have not yet found a church where a lot of my real friends are in MD (I'm now in VA), and I am so sorry I moved. I decided to get another dog - a companion. After much time looking, I've been in contact with a foster mother, also in VA, she is fostering a dear little bassett/spaniel mix - black and white about 1-2 years old. She's told me a lot about him - sweet, no problem with cats, loving disposition, and another velcro-dog. We've beet interacting for about 2 months now, and early Feb. I'm going to pick him up. I've gotten the OK from the Mgmt. where I live, my references including my Vet., all came back great, and I'm very excited about this. I struggle with Bipolar 2. Well, it seems my family (my 3 adult kids and, believe it or not, my X - like it's his business) don't think this is a good idea. They say all the standard things .... "you'll have to walk him, you'll have to pick up after him, you'll have to take him to the Vet." OMG they're making me nuts. I am so upset today that I've kept my phone off because I know I'll say something I shouldn't and then later regret. About 2-3 months ago I sent my 3 kids (all adults) info. on Bipolar 2 hoping they'd read it and maybe understand a bit more. Well, if they did read it, it didn't sink in because nothing has changed. I AM getting this dog .... I'm 73, in excellent health, and extremely lonesome. But, I'm upset that I'm getting absolutely no support from my family. All these stupid reasons ..... I've had a dog - Molly - so do they think I'm not aware of what's involved. Anyhow, I feel so very sad, tearful, and I just want to move back to MD. Here I am, I see them once a week (I do not expect more because they all have lives too), and otherwise I'm alone with my 2 cats ... they're sweet cats, but they're not like a dog at all. Anyhow, I am heartbroken that they won't support me in this and I wonder what is next that they won't support me with. Oh how I wish I'd never moved here.
abby