Question:
This is not exactly your area of expertise, but I am hoping you can help. I am a widow living in a condo that does not allow pets. I am lonely and depressed, having lost both of my children to cancer and my husband to Alzheimer's. Someone told me that if a doctor writes a letter to the condo board stating that owning a pet can help his patient, the law says it is legal. I would love to acquire a small dog. Do you know if this is possible?
H.H., Lake Worth, FL Sep 13, 2009
Answer:
I sympathize with your situation and your loss of loved ones. If you are physically active and able to get out and about for the next several years, a dog could be a good prescription for loneliness. Adopting an older, house-trained dog would be easier than housebreaking a puppy and dealing with teething, training, etc. Alternatively, a cat could be ideal, and I would opt for two littermates. They would need less care in terms of house-training and being walked (dogs should be walked at least three times a day), since they will instinctively use a litter box for their evacuative needs. Have your doctor write an advisory note (like a prescription) for an animal companion to help relieve your loneliness and depression (as documented in scores of scientific and medical reports and books). Present this to your condo board. Cats don't bark, so they may prefer you don't get a dog. If that fails, hook up with a local pet-sitting agency. There's a great need for in-home pet sitters, and active retirees who have had experience caring for animals should sign up.
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