Sacrifices

Having an anxious dog with separation anxiety, the sacrifices are different from what I expected. And an awful lot more.

I had expected that I would need to sacrifice money, free time for training and walks, forego lie-ins for a while, and that there would be no more spontaneous late nights out.

I'd expected to have to walk my dog regardless of the weather.

I don't walk my dog as often as I expected, or as often as I would like to. Which is a shame and something that took me a while to accept.

I remember people saying to me before I got a dog "Oh you're going to have to walk them every day even if it's raining". That prospect never bothered me. Now I would love the simplicity of walking my dog every day with only rain to worry about.

I expected to bring my dog along with me to social events - catching up with a friend for lunch or going for a walk. Lunch is not an option and a walk requires careful planning with a couple of understanding friends.

George has severe separation anxiety so I can't leave the house at all outside of training (you can't achieve much in 7 minutes) unless he is in daycare. Sacrificing late nights out seems like such a tiny issue now.

You need to be very organised and constantly on top of things when you can't run errands without careful planning in advance.

When your dog is people reactive, you have to sacrifice having people over unless your dog is comfortable with them and/or they are willing to invest a lot of time and patience.

I expected to plan time away using dog-friendly places. With a reactive dog, it needs much more planning, the suitable places are minimal, and often it falls into the too hard or too expensive basket.

I thought I could arrange a pet sitter as needed. George's separation anxiety means that he panics even when left with trusted friends who he loves. So we're not there yet.

I'd expected to spend money on food, training, daycare/walkers (to an extent), treats, basic vet care etc. I hadn't expected to pay thousands on training and medication. Financially it has been a struggle.

It can be very isolating.

I am fortunate that I am at a stage in my life where I don't mind staying at home as much, although I have my moments of frustration and FOMO.

I am fortunate that I have very understanding friends who work around George's needs.

I am fortunate that George has a wonderful daycare where he has bonded with the staff.

You make sacrifices when you get a dog. But whilst I expected sacrifices, I wasn't prepared. The sacrifices you make when you have a reactive dog are huge (add in separation anxiety and it's even more).

But the love I have for the little guy is off the scale. He's not giving me a hard time, he's having a hard time. None of this is his fault.

So as the grown-up in the situation, I'll make the sacrifices needed. Although I do hope we make improvements and that this isn't forever!