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218977 tn?1230697372

Our Loving Animals as Therapy

I bet this topic elicits a calming and contented smile from many of you, particularly if you are on treatment or are feeling ill at times. I love my family and appreciate them dearly, but there is something so special about the unconditional love that most of us have with our pets. I have two rescue dogs that we have had since they were puppies. One is 13-years old now and the other is 11-years old. I love them so much. When I feel itchy, I hug and pet them and I suddenly start feeling a little better. I remember as a child that my family dog understood my problems more than my parents or siblings! Can anyone relate?  
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229003 tn?1193701924
Petunia is very cute - and sounds like she has a cute personality too! Good luck with the cardio workup...I hav enever heard of the heart pulling to the right either - let me know how you make out...
*dip*
Helpful - 0
86075 tn?1238115091
well dipster, you have hands down the best cat name I've heard in a long time, Mr. Miagi! I love that movie and I guess you do to, good to hear you in good spirits...just went to the gatekeeper doc, the most wonderful guy! He sat there and wanted to test everything under the sun, my vitamins, everything!

I did an ekg and he said that my heart kinda pulls to the right? never heard of that, so maybe I'll go onto the cardiac board and ask.....then he wants for me to take an echo, and stress test, and wear one of those heart monitors for a day...wow...anyway, sorry I'm blathering on an animal thread, I was gone too long so Petunia spread all her toys all over the house as a protest I guess....they are in every room, she was busy!
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229003 tn?1193701924
I applaud your efforts with animal rights, and rescue - keep at it girl, don't give up and please try to put those animal abusers in jail, if at all possible...My heart aches for those poor dogs that used and abused in order to provide pleasure to those that want to bet money on their suffering and pain...My faith in humans has diminished...They destroy the planet and abuse animals...I like my cats more than most people - they give such love and joy...My male Siamese (Mister Miyagi) let's me cry tears in his ears when I get sick - he just shakes his head when his ears are full and puts his head back on my shoulder for more - Now I don't know about you, but I never met another human being (my husband included) that would let me cry in their ears LOL
Thank God I have my cats - I treasure their company and totally respect them - *dip*
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86075 tn?1238115091
ohhhh, I know...my little Petunia sees people and dogs in the street, and her "happy tail" wags so much sometimes her whole body falls over, ha ha ha! She actually smiles really wide and people don't always know what to make of it, ha ha!

yet, I can understand why people are apprehensive, but I mostly blame people for that, as you know firsthand...if people knew what sweetie pies they could be with the right home and love, etc...anyway, yeah, that guy, (and I try to refrain from judgment till the verdict is in, but how many "allegeds" can you have and not have "something" to it?)is  just sick and full of rage I guess....the whole situation is so sad....
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220378 tn?1189755821
I have to jump on that soap box with you...I wish that he also could suffer as much as those dogs.
I also raised a pit for my cousin, his name was tyson and of course the biggest baby!!! I have people ask me to raise..ie.. train their animals for them..One of my passions...I volunteered at the local humane society a while back..loved it but wanted to bring them all home..I believe that pits are very common at the shelter and the breed is so misunderstood...I am partial to that breed also..I hope Vick does time....hugs :) shelly
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86075 tn?1238115091
I have a white pitbull named Petunia who is the sweetest dog, loves everybody and gets along great with other dogs, she's in my profile pic....anyway, recently a new neighbor moved in, with two Pekingese - one a year old, another a tiny little white puppy, with a black nose and eyes, she calls them Little Richard and Jerry Lee...She works all day out at an office, and I work from home, so I walk all three dogs around the neighborhood, and I guess we make quite a sight cause some people stop and take pictures, Petunia, Little Richard and Jerry Lee! I love them sooooo!

Yeah, the only positive to come out of this whole Michael Vick mess is that it shines a light on this "practice" and informs people - that with these dogfighters, if a Staffie has no aggression, and many of them don't - they are used as "bait dogs" or killed, many times unmercifully...(actually, the ones that are killed are better off if you think about it) The ones that are aggressive and ruined, whatever, are usually put down...and because of these creeps, the pounds are full of them, the nice ones being put down with the bad ones...

What's interesting to me, is that many or most of the people in animal rescue are women, many of them middle aged women, and the dogfighters are usually drug dealers, low-life types, gang guys, whatever, all races indulge in this...

And all us middle aged and young ladies, are giving them a very, very hard time..and it'll only get worse for them hopefully, they are getting to know it might be a mistake to screw with us!!!!!!. Cruelty of this kind has to stop....sorry for getting on a soap box, but I can't help myself when it comes to this...
Helpful - 0
167203 tn?1280692080
i have an irish setter, cinnamon girl, and a jack russell, Luke....they know when i'm not feeling good....both come over and give me kisses!!!...my cat...figaro...she is the best heating pad...and my birds...i wake up to the yellow cockatiel saying Hi sunshine!!...pets are the best!!!...unconditional love big time!!!!
Helpful - 0
220378 tn?1189755821
Yes, I do have a great vacuum cleaner lmao:) I use it everyday...ugh...esp now that they are blowing coat..the cat is long haired also.. so you wear white, get black hair, wear black get white hair..I often wonder how much hair I have ingested over the years lol....I know its really strange that they are cat friendly but Cleopatra is too old and slow that she can't catch the cat and lyken also got swiped once and thats all it took;)...I had before a red & white male siberian and an Alaskan Malamute a year apart..that was fun!!!  We had some fun...wishes :) shelly
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164592 tn?1222906774
Another husky person!  That tells me a lot about you :-)  For one thing...I bet you have a great vacuum cleaner, right????  HA!
And a cat?!?!?! Very unusual to find one husky let alone 2 that are cat friendly!
Years ago I had a St. Bernard, Babe and took in a cat, Bob.  At one point early on my Babe wanted to play and Bob the cat swiped her nose...drew blood.  That was all it took. My Babe became terrified of that cat!!!  Every time that cat walked by my poor 160 lb dog would cringe.  It was hilarious but I can't say I blamed her!!
I'm sorry about Cleopatras cancer dx.  I've been there myself and know what a difficult time it is.
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220378 tn?1189755821
Yes I have to smile when reading your posts..I have had 2 or more pets my whole life. I now have 2 Siberians, cleopatra is rescued and is rounding 10+ years and while on tx my hubby bought me my other one Lyken.(we call him snoopy) who just turned 1...dmhrd i'm sure you know what work this breed is ;) lmao
I can honestly say that he kept me on my toes ,literally sometimes, throughout this tx..I can't be mad at them ever...always there for me..no matter what...
Cleopatra was dx with cancer in Jan. but she is doing pretty well, still gets a spunk in her but mostly sleeps..if lyken lets her
"snoopy" is just that..he reminds me of charlie browns' snoopy...he is such a comedian!!! He is a non agressive,65lb BABY!! Whines if I leave his sight,still sleeps above my head at night(always have a stiff neck) but he has really helped me remain active on tx..
I also rescued a cat, maine coon, he is in my pic...he is about 3 now his name is destiny but we call him "MOO" what a garfield...It's really comical when moo and snoop are playing...moo rules..snoop will coming running to me "MOO is beating me up:( " it makes me laugh all the time..
Thanks for this post..it made my day, been feeling blue...hugs :) shelly
Helpful - 0
164592 tn?1222906774
Thanks for your work to curtail dog fighting.
I'm praying that the Michael Vick story stays in the news.  The public needs to see the cruelty of this crime.  OK, my BP just raised about 20 points so I better just stop here!
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164592 tn?1222906774
I have been very involved with Siberian husky rescue for years.  Both of my current dogs are rescue dogs....one of them I "foster failed" which basically means I was her foster home and decided to adopt her myself.  THis dog has many issues and fears.  I have had her for 4 years now and although she has improved a lot, there will always be issues with her.  The funny thing is that she has totally changed the last couple of months of my treatment.  I know she feels something is wrong.  She won't leave my side and seems to have found some strength to get past many of her fears.  My male on the other hand I think is glad I'm  sick...gives him more time to nap!  Ha!
I am really struggling with this trial and can't tell you the comfort these dogs give me.  I don't feel like dealing with people but I'm always thrilled to spend time with  my dogs :-)  When I get home and they greet me it's like the troubles of the day disappear...almost.
I love these dogs more that I can express and can't imagine my life without Joey and Lily.
Thanks for this thread !!
Helpful - 0
163322 tn?1458676408
Tippie and Sam, my two dear dogs, were my saving grace throughout treatment.  I, too, have had dogs all my life, but these two are the most special; don't know exactly what it is about them, but they are twined around my heart---around my husband's heart too... without them, I doubt I would have made it through as well as I did.  They made me laugh when I didn't think there was anything to laugh about!
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86075 tn?1238115091
Hi, I've been in and out of dog rescuing for many years, (now we're focusing on trying to at least curtail dogfighting) and I've always had dogs, for as long as I remember...and I can totally relate to you...

What's funny is when I'm in the blackest of moods, or I have an intense migraine, whatever..... I'm ashamed to admit that my family and friends might tend to get on my nerves, which, for the most part, I try not to indicate, sometimes you have to be a really good actor when youre dealing with loved ones..

But for some reason, no matter what's going on with me, my dog never gets on my nerves...she can sense when I'm sad or stressed, and does nothing but try to be by my side in the most unobtrusive way, maybe just laying her head on my knee....

And she's such a good influence on me.....sometimes when I don't feel well and the last thing I want to do is go to a park or walk my dog (I'd rather just sit and marinate in my own juices, you know the feeling)...but my dog has to go to the park to get exercised, which means I gotta drive her there.....and then when I'm at the park, playing fetch with her gradually,  my mood is brightens up by 70%! What can be wrong with youre playing fetch with your dog? They really help to keep you get in perspective, and just keep it simple, like they are...I love animals!
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