Update.
Lot of stuff to say today, so here goes:
Had my first counseling visit today. Long story short: I'm kinda fucked, in that I can't keep seeing this person because of the cost (100 bucks per visit) and I obviously have a shit-ton of mental baggage that will take weeks if not months to wade through. (You can only do so much in an hourlong visit, after all.) BUT. She gave me the number of another state service that is right next door to the place I went today, so I may be able to get FREE counseling through one of the state programs. So we'll see how that goes. (The question then becomes how do I make these regular visits without letting the folks in on it...but we'll jump off that bridge later.)
Friday afternoon I came home to find out that my brother, who serves in the military, is being deployed again, though we don't know when. He and his family just friggin' moved not even a full week ago. -_-* So please keep him in your good thoughts, that he comes home safely and stays well.
And yesterday my parents (mainly, my dad) decided to do what is most probably a Bad Idea and brought home...a DOG. Not that I'm opposed to dogs per se - though my preferences run along the lines of German shepherds and golden retrievers - but as usual, when my family does stuff, we do it half-assed. See, my dad has a longtime friend who keeps a bunch of hunting dogs, whose breeds are mostly German shorthair pointers (which is what we have now) and English setter types. Apparently dad's friend is cutting down on the number of dogs he's keeping (I don't know how many this guy had, but I know at one point he had damn near an entire stable of them), so he asked Dad if he wanted one.
It should be noted at this point that Mom had wanted a dog, but we were saving that for somewhere down the line long after Sam cat passed on (or he and I managed to move out), and Mom had wanted a puppy so it would be easier to train in proper behavior. And Dad has always been opposed to having dogs in the house. But as Mom pointed out to me when Dad wasn't within earshot, the reason he likely agreed to this one is because it's coming from his buddy (whom he's known since like college). Now our concern is that we're turning into a new 'stable' for this guy because we have such a big property (3 acres, whereas this guy lives more in the 'burbs, albeit in a country section of said 'burbs). If that turns out to be the case, I'm going to be PISSED. Because I have done this before, years ago, when my dad had dogs. First it was one, then it became two, then three, and *I* was the one who had to take care of them. (I think this is one of the reasons I've never really been a huge dog person.)
So anyhoo. Dad and Mom went and got New Dog, whose name is Ruby, yesterday late afternoon. She's not bad, actually. Quietest dog I ever met! Not a peep out of her yet (though when she sneezes/chuffs she sounds like a horse!). Mom and I ran to Mallwart last night and bought some dishes for her and some toys, along with a bag of food (dad's friend had given us about a half-bag to start but we figured we'd better get some more). I'll try to have pictures next time I come to the library (or, knock on wood, computer is restored - haven't heard anything yet, which I'm cautiously taking as a good sign, because they said they'd call me if the repair cost went over 200 bucks).
She LOVES to be petted and will follow you all around. She's about 6 years old and has already had a litter of puppies. (My dad's friend apparently breeds any female dogs he has.) I said we need to get her spayed asap, though Mom kind of balked at that because of the cost (which I told her will be a lot better if we do it at the low-cost clinic I take my cats to). We'll see how it goes - Ruby is due for her vaccines next month so I'll ask about the spaying too.
She is going to be an indoor/outdoor dog. We can't let her run loose outside. She's a hunting dog, so we were told she will likely go after the chickens (because they're birds and that's what she was taught to hunt), and possibly the cats too. So any time we take her outside (which we obviously have to, for bathroom and all) she must be on a leash. And I put Sam in my room indefinitely, because he will absolutely not like the newcomer and the stress is liable to get him peeing again. :p And I can't take Ruby to any dog parks or places where dogs are allowed (like PetSmart), because apparently she also does not get along with other dogs. (Which disappoints me, as I was looking forward to having a good excuse to go out and about, but oh well.)
I have a feeling this is not a very good idea, but I was not the one who had final say, so... *shrug* Just gonna roll with it, I guess.
Hope everyone is doing all right. (Also, for those who've asked: if you were interested in sharing around my fundraiser on other media sites, yes, you're welcome to. And thank you again.)
Had my first counseling visit today. Long story short: I'm kinda fucked, in that I can't keep seeing this person because of the cost (100 bucks per visit) and I obviously have a shit-ton of mental baggage that will take weeks if not months to wade through. (You can only do so much in an hourlong visit, after all.) BUT. She gave me the number of another state service that is right next door to the place I went today, so I may be able to get FREE counseling through one of the state programs. So we'll see how that goes. (The question then becomes how do I make these regular visits without letting the folks in on it...but we'll jump off that bridge later.)
Friday afternoon I came home to find out that my brother, who serves in the military, is being deployed again, though we don't know when. He and his family just friggin' moved not even a full week ago. -_-* So please keep him in your good thoughts, that he comes home safely and stays well.
And yesterday my parents (mainly, my dad) decided to do what is most probably a Bad Idea and brought home...a DOG. Not that I'm opposed to dogs per se - though my preferences run along the lines of German shepherds and golden retrievers - but as usual, when my family does stuff, we do it half-assed. See, my dad has a longtime friend who keeps a bunch of hunting dogs, whose breeds are mostly German shorthair pointers (which is what we have now) and English setter types. Apparently dad's friend is cutting down on the number of dogs he's keeping (I don't know how many this guy had, but I know at one point he had damn near an entire stable of them), so he asked Dad if he wanted one.
It should be noted at this point that Mom had wanted a dog, but we were saving that for somewhere down the line long after Sam cat passed on (or he and I managed to move out), and Mom had wanted a puppy so it would be easier to train in proper behavior. And Dad has always been opposed to having dogs in the house. But as Mom pointed out to me when Dad wasn't within earshot, the reason he likely agreed to this one is because it's coming from his buddy (whom he's known since like college). Now our concern is that we're turning into a new 'stable' for this guy because we have such a big property (3 acres, whereas this guy lives more in the 'burbs, albeit in a country section of said 'burbs). If that turns out to be the case, I'm going to be PISSED. Because I have done this before, years ago, when my dad had dogs. First it was one, then it became two, then three, and *I* was the one who had to take care of them. (I think this is one of the reasons I've never really been a huge dog person.)
So anyhoo. Dad and Mom went and got New Dog, whose name is Ruby, yesterday late afternoon. She's not bad, actually. Quietest dog I ever met! Not a peep out of her yet (though when she sneezes/chuffs she sounds like a horse!). Mom and I ran to Mallwart last night and bought some dishes for her and some toys, along with a bag of food (dad's friend had given us about a half-bag to start but we figured we'd better get some more). I'll try to have pictures next time I come to the library (or, knock on wood, computer is restored - haven't heard anything yet, which I'm cautiously taking as a good sign, because they said they'd call me if the repair cost went over 200 bucks).
She LOVES to be petted and will follow you all around. She's about 6 years old and has already had a litter of puppies. (My dad's friend apparently breeds any female dogs he has.) I said we need to get her spayed asap, though Mom kind of balked at that because of the cost (which I told her will be a lot better if we do it at the low-cost clinic I take my cats to). We'll see how it goes - Ruby is due for her vaccines next month so I'll ask about the spaying too.
She is going to be an indoor/outdoor dog. We can't let her run loose outside. She's a hunting dog, so we were told she will likely go after the chickens (because they're birds and that's what she was taught to hunt), and possibly the cats too. So any time we take her outside (which we obviously have to, for bathroom and all) she must be on a leash. And I put Sam in my room indefinitely, because he will absolutely not like the newcomer and the stress is liable to get him peeing again. :p And I can't take Ruby to any dog parks or places where dogs are allowed (like PetSmart), because apparently she also does not get along with other dogs. (Which disappoints me, as I was looking forward to having a good excuse to go out and about, but oh well.)
I have a feeling this is not a very good idea, but I was not the one who had final say, so... *shrug* Just gonna roll with it, I guess.
Hope everyone is doing all right. (Also, for those who've asked: if you were interested in sharing around my fundraiser on other media sites, yes, you're welcome to. And thank you again.)