Am I selfish getting puppies while I am in remission?

Posted by isadora2021 @isadora2021, Jul 29 8:45pm

For decades my career was my great love. Absolutely had a ball. I always wanted a dog but knew I couldn’t because of the hours I worked away from home - not fair on a furry friend. I always had a dream of getting 2 puppies when I retired. But stage 4 appendix cancer at 58 wasn’t factored in! I worked from home through aggressive treatments and got to NED in May 2022. On 30 June 2023 with my finances all being in order I decided to retire (or as I like to think of it, to go on permanent vacation), It felt absolutely right. It has been absolutely right.

Yet I’ve put off getting my puppies because in a way I’m waiting for a recurrence.

A year later I’ve had enough of that attitude and am about to get 2 Labradoodle puppies. I’m financially able to have them and also deal with my cancer when it does return - hopefully years from now.

Has anyone else gone through a similar struggle with making decisions like this due to cancer? Putting off going overseas?

How did you deal with those decisions?

Thank you ❣️🙏

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Cancer Support Group.

4me | @4me | Aug 3 3:40pm

In reply to @isadora2021 "I’m sorry - I’ve tried to load twice and it seemed to work but when I..." + (show)

I don't know if we are allowed to share our emails with each other???
The puppies sound adorable. Love the names.😊

northoftheborder | @northoftheborder | Aug 3 6:15pm

In reply to @4me "I don't know if we are allowed to share our emails with each other??? The puppies..." + (show)

I've shared my email via private message a couple of times. I think it's ok, as long as you don't put it in a public post.

isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | Aug 3 6:42pm

Thank you - still learning to use this site! I’ve got it and will email you 😊

dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | Aug 4 9:28am

In reply to @isadora2021 "I’m sorry - I’ve tried to load twice and it seemed to work but when I..." + (show)

If you're a new member, you're not allowed to add links for a week or two (I forget which). Maybe this also applies to pics. Try again next week.

philipsnowdon | @philipsnowdon | Aug 4 2:53pm

There is absolutely nothing selfish at all about getting, caring for and living with your puppies! Even before the onset of my cancer I was seriously debilitated, (and remain so), before my wife and I adopted a 4 month old Miniature Australian Shepherd. I was just to sick and debilitated prior to that period of my life to properly take care of a dog. However, when we got our beautiful and incredible “GIDGET JOY,” over 10 years ago, she has become the greatest companion and source of love I’ve ever experienced in my life other than my wife and parents. She is my motivation each day to get out of bed when I am feeling horribly from all of my physical and emotional debilitating symptoms. I take her to the park and we play “Trail Ball” which is her absolute favorite thing to do in life. It brings her so much happiness and joy that it generates those feelings in myself. Next to my wife, she is the most important being in my life. She is always by my side. My life would be totally different without her by my side and a lot less fulfilling. I am extremely grateful to have such a beautiful, loving, caring, intelligent, funny, sexy wife. At 70 years of age, I am a very lucky man to have the incredible partner I do in my wife. Enjoy your dogs and smother them with all of the love, joy and affection you can. Remember, our dogs are an incredibly huge part of our lives and daily living experience. However, we are absolutely everything and represent the entire universe to our dogs. They are totally dependent upon us for all of their care and to maintain their health, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. They are an incredible responsibility and absolutely deserve the very best effort from us in each and every moment of their lives to be well taken care of and responsibly cared for. We consider having and being blessed with “Gidget Joy” in our lives as an incredible privilege and never take that for granted. Every dog in the world needs and deserves love, respect, to be well taken care of and ultimately provided for. All of us should do everything possible within our capabilities to provide that level of care.
In the end, your dogs will provide you with more love and support than you can ever imagine.
Best wishes and good luck with taking care of and loving your
“FUR BABIES!”

isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | Aug 4 7:45pm

In reply to @philipsnowdon "There is absolutely nothing selfish at all about getting, caring for and living with your puppies!..." + (show)

@philipsnowdon

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What wonderful comments, thank you. I’m so glad Gidget Joy has so enriched your lives and you hers 😊❣️ That mutual love and trust with a fur baby is very special.

You are so right how we are the universe to our dogs - I must admit that’s what scares me so much: That I may get very ill again and sooner rather than later. I’m doing my best to have back up plans in place for “just in case” to help me get more comfortable around the “what ifs”. (Such as a doggy walker, doggy day care for an infusion day and a house sitter if I end up in hospital for any stretch). My nieces will also be able to help.

Thank you for your positive comments, and wishing you and your wife continuing love and activities with Gidget Joy!

kenc | @kenc | Aug 5 12:59pm

No.

isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | Sep 4 8:36am

Just an update! My 2 gorgeous Labradoodle puppies came home today at 9 weeks. Lulu is more poodle and Benji is more labrador! Such loveable scamps. My heart is full and I know they need a lot of work and loving 🥰 Thank you everyone for your support.