H Jenny,
I got a dog after my cancer surgery. I lost the possibilty to have children and felt I really had a lot of love to share........so I got my dog......a red cairn terrier. Best thing ever! To start with I paniced over the responsibilty.....having been free and single!!, but within a couple of weeks I forgot what life was like without him. He's lying at my feet as I type this!!
I did also worry about leaving him sometimes during the day......so I decided to get a small dog door (the size of a large cat flap)and fitted it the kitchen door that goes onto the garden. I had to make sure the garden was obviously securley enclosed to prevent any Hudini acts......and hey bingo we have a good working solution. The dog wanders in and out as he pleases and I don't worry when I'm out!!! Another good thing about the dog door.........you can have long lie in the morning without having to walk the dog if you're feeling a bit under the weather etc!!
I also took out pet insurance and it covers dogs boarding if you are admitted into hospital etc!! However I now have a long list of eager dog-sitters if I need it....but I just feel secure with the insurance anyway incase of other accidents etc!
It really is one of the best things I have done.......we have been inseperable for over 2 years and I can't imagine what life would be like without him.
You could always get a few books to read up on breeds etc to wile away those tedious hours in hospital!!
Good luck with the rest of you treatment
Diane and

Red (who looks very like this!!hehehe)