Should I get a dog before going into clinical rotations?

[soeulmates2013]

I'm about to go into clinical rotations the very end of this month. All along PA school I have been thinking about getting a dog ( >1 y/o rescue dog). Most of the my fellow classmates have pets. I was wondering if anyone could give me some incite on how clinical rotations would be like and if I'll be able to take care of the dog? My family tells me that I shouldn't, even my boyfriend who is also a PA student tells me I shouldn't. For clinical rotations I'll be rotating in the same city so I won't have to do any traveling, that's why I thought about getting a dog at this point. Any advice is appreciated. 

[db_pavnp]

Sounds like an Onion headline waiting to happen.

[dmdpac]

In the off case that this is a serious question I'd hold off on a new pet.

[UGoLong]

As my old Air Force buddy would say, "What? Are you on drugs?"

 

There were days in rotations that I expected to come home and ended up sleeping in the hospital to be ready for surgery in the morning. The fewer the obligations you have, the better.

[PYRITE]

Only if it is stuffed....

[rev ronin]

Translation:

 

"Dear Internet, I've been considering a decision, and everyone who loves me, knows me, and cares about my PA school outcome has given me solid advice one way, but I really want what I want, so will please some random stranger(s) who don't know me and won't feel the consequences of any potential failures please type a few words into this forum to enable me to make the decision I really want to make in the first place?"

 

Did I get everything?

[zoopeda]

Sounds like an Onion headline waiting to happen.

One of my favorites: 

 

Dear Navy SEAL,

My boyfriend was laid off from his job a few weeks back. Ever since cashing his severance check, all he does is sit around and watch TV while I work to support us both. I know unemployment has undermined his confidence, but I'm not his mother! How do I get him out of the house and looking for work?

—Peeved In Palmyra

Dear Peeved,

Killing silently is a tall order, but a quick look at an anatomy chart will show that the larynx is an easy enough target—providing you can make a stealthy submerged approach, sneak up on your victim, and catch him unaware. Once that's accomplished, grasp his hair as close to the scalp as you're able to and yank his head back while using your Ka-Bar combat knife to make a lateral cut across his throat. Make sure you sever both the carotid artery and jugular vein while piercing the windpipe, and press hard; the larynx is a tough, rubbery piece of tissue.

Dear Navy SEAL,

I am a happily married man with a warm and loving wife who is also my best friend. We've been together for 17 years and couldn't be happier. But lately she says she wants separate beds. I'm reeling! We're barely in our 40s, and in my mind separate sleeping is for seniors. Am I making too much of this? Help!

—Anxious In Andersonville

Dear Anxious,

Destroying a bridge might look easy in the movies, but remember: They're designed to withstand the immense shear-forces of wind and weather. Deploying an underwater M-32 satchel charge at the base of each load-bearing pylon looks like the answer, but it might not even shake a modern riveted steel highway or railroad bridge. Without delving into the complex language of the guerrilla combat engineer, the best advice I can give you is to forgo subtlety in favor of brute force: Put two satchel charges at each X-shaped trestle buck, and this should rob the bridge of any reinforcing strength and cause it to buckle nicely.

Dear Navy SEAL,

After several catastrophically bad relationships, I have finally found the right man. But old habits die hard. After all those cheating jerks, it requires great will for me to trust this absolute prince. I find myself reading his mail, listening to his answering-machine messages, even—God help me—following him around! How do I handle this situation? I don't want to ruin the best thing I have ever had.

—Paranoid In Portsmouth

Dear Paranoid,

The 10mm Colt sidearm might not be an ideal long-distance weapon, and it's certainly no sniper's rifle, but it has the advantages of low weight and quicker target acquisition. You can reliably engage aggressors at ranges of 30 meters and more. Use a two-handed grip and brace the barrel against a tree, or use your dive tanks and rebreather as an improvised bench rest. Don't worry about "stopping power": One of those 10mm slugs opens up to about 70 caliber when it hits, leaving an exit wound you could toss a cat through, and bringing so much energy to a target that a hit in the extremities is often enough to drop Ivan in his tracks.

 

http://www.theonion.com/articles/ask-a-navy-seal,12246/ 

[RichardLPeeA]

Get yourself a dog as a graduation present.  You're coming down the home stretch, why make things harder than they have to be?

[jlumsden]

Dogs are awesome, but different dogs demand different amounts of time.  You can't know what will be needed until you have the dog.  Rescue dogs are often more time intensive.  The best time to get a dog is when you don't have much on your plate.  It's very possible you will be too busy to give the dog the time and attention it needs.  Don't risk it, as it isn't fair to the dog.

[Corpsman2PA]

If by "dog" you mean pance study material, epocrates subscription, new EKG book, or some new Merrells for the feet, then yes. Get a dog.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mackjacks]

Might be ok after IM/OB/surgery are done, or if your OB rotation does not have many deliveries. Otherwise I'd recommend waiting. I am a recent grad and feel it would be tricky with your schedule changing at least every 2 months. Especially with a rescue dog who has probably had a fairly unstable life and deserves a regular routine.

[rmathews619]

I second RichardL get the dog as a graduation present. 

[Colorado]

Speaking with many a PA and PA student that had dogs/puppies in school -the bottom line of their advice was, you'll make time for your pet. Plenty of PA students have spouses, children, and pets to tend to while in school and they manage to make time for them. Sure, its more difficult to manage extra responsibilities while under the stress of your program, but is it worth it to you? It's going to mean less time to study, less time to socialize, more expenses, and a dog that dictates your schedule (exercise requirements, feeding, training). In the end, its up to you. Best of luck in your decision!

[JohnnyM2]

!

[JohnnyM2]

Translation:

 

"Dear Internet, I've been considering a decision, and everyone who loves me, knows me, and cares about my PA school outcome has given me solid advice one way, but I really want what I want, so will please some random stranger(s) who don't know me and won't feel the consequences of any potential failures please type a few words into this forum to enable me to make the decision I really want to make in the first place?"

 

Did I get everything?

My feelings exactly.