I know a lot of us have pets and they bring us a great comfort. I am the worse, when I got RA, I had two dogs and one cat, NOW I have four dogs and three cats
I got the pups to sleep in their kennel last night without wimpering all night, I had to hit the kennel,
Anyone else have to make adjustments for their pets? It has been a hard road because I love my animals SO MUCH. My Kelsey changes the cat box so that is good. I am trying to work things out. I have never given away an animal in my life. They are family. So I am curious. How about you all? Are your animals more of a comfort or work since you have RA?
Comfort, Roxy. My dog always seems to know when I'm not feeling well and when I was hobbled up wearing that big ole cast on my leg, he always walked a few paces in front of me as to clear me a path. Now he just walks with me everywhere I go. Good thing is he's never right up under me close enough to trip me up. He's a good dog!
I am sorry to hear about your dx JoJo. Take it one day at a time and don't try to predict the future. HUGZ Binge, He is beautiful. Weims were bred to hunt with hunters on horseback. They run like a horse. They will mellow when they are older, they are 3 and 4 now. Your dog looks like Lassie. Sounds like he is a "lifesaver" just like Lassie. My boys are my babies. Have you thought about having then potty on papers instead of going outside? My boys will do this if I can't take them out and it makes it much easier when I am having a bad day! Luckily, they are small, 10 pounds each, so they get there exercise from running through the house and in the backyard, they don't need to go for walks like bigger dogs.
Dogs are the best. Our dog (a Westie ) makes me fee great no matter how I feel. Every greeting is like the first
I have a 7 1/2 year old boxer boy that has been with me since he was 5 weeks old. I have had animals my whole life and couldn't imagine life without them. I have a bond with my Diogi (Dee-oh-gee) that I've never had with any of the others. Maybe it was because I bottle fed him, or because he was with me through my tough marriage and yucky divorce, or because he's just been by my side through every single miserble and happy moment the last 7 1/2 years. I've had people make the comment that I care about my dog more than people and all I can say is...of course I do. My dog is always there, he never gives me a hard time, he's always happy to see me, always grateful and it doesn't matter to him if I have tons of money or I barely have enough to buy ramen noodles (as long as he gets a bite of whatever I'm eating or a treat when we have them). As crazy as it may sound there have been times when this disease has really made me want to check out of this life and the only thing that snaps me into reality is knowing that Diogi counts on me and what kind of selfish person would I be to leave him behind. My life as many of yours has changed drastically with this disease and taking care of my Diogi has been one of them. I feel guilty that I can't take him for walks or that I'm too tired to go to the dog park and let him go wild. I try to laugh that we're both getting a bit chunky and refer to Diogi and I as the Chunkster Family. Boxers too love their owners and want to be close, leaning against you to be as close as possible. Having an 84 pound dog leaning on you isn't comfortable on a good day, trying to get them to understand why they can't on a bad day is heartbreaking. I know every look on my dogs face and when I have to push him down or tell him "No buddy, I'm sorry", he doesn't understand. He gets confused thinking he's in trouble but not knowing why or why his human mom is upset with him. I miss the walks, going to the beach and running around the dog park but I'll bet Diogi misses it so much more. I still take him to work with me 2 Saturdays a month as long as I'm not too painful. He's so funny, he actually knows which Saturday is his...dancing around and jumping up and down like a puppy. I don't know how in the world he knows...but he does! I could't ask for a better dog or a better friend and I wouldn't give him up for anything. I love my dog and he brings a lot of happiness and peace to my life. They say pets are very therapuetic...I agree 100%. Peace & Love....Neasy She also has a second sense about when I'm not feeling well. I had cancer surgery on my face a few years ago and came home from the doctor's full of bandages. She lay down and didn't bother me all day. She just knew.
My dog is my buddy. He will be 2 this September. He is awesome. When I am having a particularly bad day, he walks with me no matter where I go. He could be sound asleep and if I get up, he's awake and walking right next to me. If I go to bed, he goes to bed with me. If it's a bad ra day he doesn't leave me side. He is either laying on the floor next to the couch where I am or on the couch by my feet. He has kissed away many tears for me. I have to depend on my girls to walk him for me so he gets some exercise. Even my little guys bring me happiness. They know when it is feeding time in the evenings and will noisily remind me if I am slow about it lol. The chin laughs, the rabbit will thump, and the rat bangs her water bottle. The chin is so happy to get her sunflower seeds and new dust (they take dust baths) that she climbs her cage. She loves to have her little belly rubbed. So in the end, I guess no matter the size of the animal, for me, they bring me comfort and happiness. And a laugh or two. Neasy is right, puppy pads are great! I used them to house train all my dogs. Their is a scent in them that attracts them to pee on it and has a plastic liner so nothing soaks through. We still use the Extra Large ones when we go out of town or will be gone all day. A long time ago my vet (at the time) suggested I shake a soda can with 3 pennies in it for when the dog does something he is not supposed to. They get lots of praise when they are good! I didnt think the can thing would work, but it does. 6t5 - I grew up having westies and my parents have another now, they are wonderful dogs! I have 2 lg dogs, a small dog, and a cat. My lg. dogs were rescued from the animal shelter and were very mistreated. I am a sucker for abused animals and wish I could save them all. They are doing amazing now and are soooo happy! When the weather is hot, we set up a kiddie plastic pool out back and throw all their toys in it and they have so much fun. We buy a lot of tug-of-war toys so they wear eachother out. Sadly I am unable to walk them anymore because I am not steady on my feet, so they play in the back yard. Roxy, are you able to hold a child's tennis raquet? I used one in our last house for fetch and I could really launch the balls. I think it is unanimous, we could not cope without our pets. I just wish I could give them better care, all of my dogs have always gone on my adventures with me. I am not used to them having to stay home. I am trying to break my chihuahua from puppy pads. I really want them to go outside. Brett is putting in a dog door when he comes up. We will have a cage around the outside so they will be safe. I love your pet stories
Marianne, Thank you for taking in a Katrina dog. She/he is soooo cute. You did a great thing~! Phats
Oh Marianne your dogs are just the sweetest!! And you are too for rescuing!!! I would probably have another dog if we had the money and the room for another dog. Joonie....no she is not sad...she is the happiest she has ever been in her life I am sure! She ain't missin' nobody
Cassandra......when that very sad day comes...when you border terrier passes to the rainbow bridge I hope that eventually you will save/adopt or rescue another dog. They have very gentle older dogs at the shelter that are RA approved!
I have a 7 1/2 year old boxer boy that has been with
Peace & Love....Neasy Joonie....no she is not sad...she is the happiest she has ever been in her life I am sure! She ain't missin' nobody
Cassandra......when that very sad day comes...when you border terrier passes to the rainbow bridge I hope that eventually you will save/adopt or rescue another dog. They have very gentle older dogs at the shelter that are RA approved!
[/QUOTE] Ok now in that picture she looks HAPPY! But in the other one, she just looked soo sad to me. I guess it was her eyes that made her look sad to me. My four-legged baby. No matter how bad I feel at times, she always makes me smile.
Love Sandra My animals are the loveliest things to have around
I am really sorry about your yorkie but i am glad she isnt suffering anymore. It is so hard when a pet passes away and its also hard when contemplating getting a new one.You do need time to grieve and you will know when its right for you to think about another animal. Sounds like when we talk about our animals, for a moment we forget about RA! They are miracle creatures.
I did a whole bunch of research before about animal assisted therapy not only for physical problems but also the emotional aspect of having a pet. Recovery from surgery and/or illness is faster if you have a beloved pet. Petting an animal also lowers the blood pressure. For me, just having someone around that I can cry to, love on, and loves me no matter what brings me such happiness and has helped me thru some pretty dark days. I love my all my animals but by far my dog is my best buddy. I so miss having a dog. Since RA, I have had allergies to just about everything. I guess that happens to those of us that are prone to allergies once we have an auto-immune disease (at least that is what my doc said
I tried to adopt a Bichon Frise 2 years ago since I had had one before and they are non-allerginic, but I got so bad after 24 hours I had to be hospitalized for 3 days. You guys are so lucky to have a doggie to cuddle with and keep you warm. I sure do enjoy looking at all there pictures. The little Katrina rescue dog is adorable. She/he looks like a little bear. Do you have any idea what her breed (or mix) is? Thanks for the pics. I love them. My cats are my cuddlers. They know when I don't feel good and either one or both cuddle or lay on me. Their little bodies are really warm. They've helped me through some rough times. I had a dog until 2 years ago and she weighed 50lbs. Even though she tried to cuddle it was always more painful for me. I loved her dearly but had to let her go to doggie heaven. I've decided not to get another dog. For me it's easier to care for the cats than a dog. I love dogs and have always had one but I'm not sure that I can committ to walking, cleaning up after, shampooing, etc. that a dog requires. All of your pictures are great. It's fun to see everyone's pets. Crispy we think she is a corgi/chow mix http://www.geocities.com/marianne_erikson/Stinkie.html and http://www.geocities.com/marianne_erikson/stick.html
Terrier jumps up on me at times, he is small but solid and it hurts and winds me at times but he has been diagnosed with heart failure and is the most protective
and sweetest boy, like Neasy I wonder at times how I would have coped without him. When I flare he lies on the bed beside me - have just exchanged by single electric blanket for a double as he is feeling the cold!
He is still a bundle of energy even with heart failure but when I was in bed for 4 days not so long ago he lay down beside me and when I flare he knows and he is quiet and gentle. According to the vet I will have him for a few more months, I am terrified of that day but am trying to keep him on a good diet and am hoping I will have him for a lot longer. He has a real sense of humour and gets a look on his face of pure devilment at times.
Roxy you may get to a stage, like I did, when I was able to walk again after being bedridden for a long, long time and now most day I can give my dog a small walk or drive to a park and let him run and hopefully you will too. I never thought I would ever get to this stage at one time, I thought I would be bedridden forever but I am not.
I would have 10 more dogs and cats if I could afford it.
They give us so much pleasure.
me since he was 5 weeks old. I have had animals my whole life and
couldn't imagine life without them. I have a bond with my Diogi (Dee-oh-
gee) that I've never had with any of the others. Maybe it was because I
bottle fed him, or because he was with me through my tough marriage
and yucky divorce, or because he's just been by my side through every
single miserble and happy moment the last 7 1/2 years. I've had people
make the comment that I care about my dog more than people and all I
can say is...of course I do. My dog is always there, he never gives me a
hard time, he's always happy to see me, always grateful and it doesn't
matter to him if I have tons of money or I barely have enough to buy
ramen noodles (as long as he gets a bite of whatever I'm eating or a treat
when we have them). As crazy as it may sound there have been times
when this disease has really made me want to check out of this life and
the only thing that snaps me into reality is knowing that Diogi counts on
me and what kind of selfish person would I be to leave him behind. My
life as many of yours has changed drastically with this disease and taking
care of my Diogi has been one of them. I feel guilty that I can't take him
for walks or that I'm too tired to go to the dog park and let him go wild. I
try to laugh that we're both getting a bit chunky and refer to Diogi and I
as the Chunkster Family. Boxers too love their owners and want to be
close, leaning against you to be as close as possible. Having an 84 pound
dog leaning on you isn't comfortable on a good day, trying to get them to
understand why they can't on a bad day is heartbreaking. I know every
look on my dogs face and when I have to push him down or tell him "No
buddy, I'm sorry", he doesn't understand. He gets confused thinking he's
in trouble but not knowing why or why his human mom is upset with
him. I miss the walks, going to the beach and running around the dog
park but I'll bet Diogi misses it so much more. I still take him to work
with me 2 Saturdays a month as long as I'm not too painful. He's so
funny, he actually knows which Saturday is his...dancing around and
jumping up and down like a puppy. I don't know how in the world he
knows...but he does! I could't ask for a better dog or a better friend and I
wouldn't give him up for anything. I love my dog and he brings a lot of
happiness and peace to my life. They say pets are very therapuetic...I
agree 100%.
Neasy, my daughter has a girl boxer named Morgan. She got her when
she was about 10 weeks old and she is the best family dog. Stayed with
us for several months. Doesn't bark, shed much and is so good natured
and mello. I can see what you mean by being a leaner though. She
sleeps with Laurel. Dogs are good therapy for people who are not sick.
The are unconditional lovers of their owners.Boxers do rock...I just love them!![QUOTE=marianne1952]
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