A) Because I'm weird, B) Because I'm the DogMother

DogMother

OK, so today I was on the couch wondering when I'll get my damned Bx results. Our English Mastiff Winston thinks he is a "lap dog" and tries his best to be, despite his 160 lb size. I eventually let him "come on up" and he settled his large self on the couch next to me, with his legs and head on my lap, careful not to bump my Bx site. It reminded me how soothing or "comforting" his presence can be. In fact, I honestly DO feel more calm when I press my head or face to his forehead... it must be something "cosmically canine" or something! But sometimes, it's better than advil! Even better than vodka! :-)

So I was thinking how it would go over if when/if I have to go in for more procedures, if the admitting nurse/staff asks "And who will be here waiting for you?" if I just said, "Well, Winston!" Of course they would surely assume that that would be my husband, and not one of my dogs. But how funny would that be... if in recovery, laying on my little gurney, if a kind nurse walked my big ol' dog over on the leash to sniff me and vice versa (haha) and if THAT was what helped me to feel better.

Anyway, yes, I do have an odd sense of humor. And around here, the dogs ARE my children.

Take care,
DogMother (Michelle)

Roxwooood

Pet therapy! Great idea! Being a dog mother is the next best thing to being the mother of a human child. Only difference is dogs frequently mind us better than our kids do. Dogs are truly mans/womans best friend. Never met a dog I didn't like, how bout you?

Anonymous

And better yet. I never met a dog that didnt like me.

Jaybird627

Oh non, not weird Michelle! My older dog, Katey, while not the most comforting dog (after all she is THE QUEEN)is a great comfort to me! I smell her fur and it's the best scent in the world to me. Very peaceful. It's pure 'fur' smell and not 'dog'. My other dog Sage (a lab) smells like a dog. Not bad, but not like Katey. Weird. Or not?

Janis L

mags

Hi Michelle, I'm not a dog freak but a cat freak. I remember coming round in my room after my op stroking an imaginary cat. I had to ask my bf and my friend if I had been doing it and of course I had. I agree with you Janis, I love the smell of the fur and of course all my cats smell differently.
Hugs
Mags

DebraLynn

My ex never allowed Joey, the cat to sleep with us (should have been my first clue ) After my ex left me, naturally Joey slept with me. He would always sleep at the bottom of the bed.
After my surgery, I was sleeping on my side and my ex came to see me. (How big of him) Imagine both of our surprise when he came in and there was Joey snuggled up right next to me. He looked at my ex and did not budge.
From that moment on, Joey became MY cat, not the families.

I used to have a Chocolate Lab (God rest her sweet soul) who used to take naps with me on Sunday afternoons.

Yes, I could not live without my pets.

Mena

Interesting thread...oh, here comes one of my girls right now...let's see who is it...Sophie or Scout? Sophie, the wench...my cats, of course...animals are very therapeutic; I believe there are stats to prove it, but I don't need them. I experience it myself often enough.

In all my crap these last four days since the not-so-stellar test results, I've been looking for comfort and healing everywhere. I went down to my friend's house last night and he has the sweetest Beagle. I, of course, was in a crying jag at the time...so I put my face right against her snout, told her how sweet and pretty she is, and should looked at me with those big brown eyes as if she understood my angst. It was very soothing. It was like talking to an angel. Better than xanax.

My girls, well, you know how cats can be...plus they're babies, not even a year old...but they are getting a lot more affectionate. Of course, I'm all over them all the time.

I've heard stories of dogs/cats finding cancer in women who didn't even know they had lumps...amazing...long live our pets...wouldn't trade mine for anything...Mena...xo

Sandra1957

My dog was my therapist before and after my bilateral. Sounds weird, but she knows how to listen and not judge.

Janis-Does Katey have a purple collar?

Oh, and I still recommend Marley and Me.

lini

Jaybird627

Katey has whatever she wants! The queen reigns and I am her lowly subject!

jz20022001

Pets are the best therapy and they know when we're not feeling well. If an animal doesn't like someone, it's a good indicator to stay away from them.

Catherine

DogMother

Hi all,

You guys are great - and clearly you understand the benefits of "pet therapy!" One thing I have been thinking about a lot, since I found this very different, odd "thing" and started the process of docs/Bx last week. The very day that I had my follow-up visit with my surgeon (6/19) and got the official ALL CLEAR from the 2 Bx in June... I literally left the cancer center and went straight to a rural humane society that is also in NW MO, and about one hour due east of where I live. I'd just learned that they were suddenly over-run with dumped puppies (like 3-4 big litters, totalling more than 50 pups) and needed help. My all-breed dog rescue had told them we would take in 2-4 pups from this one particular (giant-breed, mixed) litter, who were around 5 weeks old at the time. With the thought in mind that we'd spoil them, fatten them up and get them vetted, and THEN find responsible loving homes once they were old enough. Of course once I was THERE and saw these precious beings, I took the whole damn litter... yes, all ELEVEN of them.

Husband had a bit of a "fit" when he came home and saw them all... I mumbled something about a "puppy explosion" and hey, after all, weren't we celebrating my good news?

SOOOO... fast forward - they've all been vetted and we've found homes for 4, almost 5 since I really want (plan?) to keep one ourselves. (Husband still isn't too sure...) And I keep thinking that if I had received BAD news in early June, these babies might not even be alive. The tiny rural shelter was so full, that they said they would either have to A) euth. dogs (including pups) or put the pups at very high risk of catching something dangerous and contagious, as a "pound" is really not ideal for pups that small/young, with no vaccinations, etc.

So these little (or not so little, now) guys are my very happy, chewing, licking, snuggling DISTRACTION right now that I'm in the midst of the evil Waiting Game again.

Last weekend I started calling them all "Doctor"... then their names. We had named the whole litter by games/toys from Husband's and my childhood... Tinker (Toy), Lincoln (Log), Jigsaw, Jenga, Yahtzee, Scrabble, Domino, Lego, Uno, Frisbee and Tonka... so we now have "Dr. Tinker" (who would of course be a surgeon) and "Dr. Scrabble" (who would surely be a speech pathologist), etc. etc. etc. I guess I have to amuse myself some how... HA!

Anyway, if you want to see these little happy faces - please check them out and we even have a puppy video online. If only we could figure out a way to put the actual "puppy breath" online... as I am certain that THAT can cure anything! http://www.happydogsrescue.com (I hope it's OK that I put the link here.)

Take care everyone - and thanks for sharing your furry loved one stories!
DogMother Michelle

straykat

What a wonderful thing you're doing! The puppies are adorable.

I lived in Kansas City for a few years - oh, maybe about 25 years ago. My last home there was in Overland Park on W. 95th St. Terrace. The last developed homes were on 106th Street - everything south of there was farm land and was considered 'tornado alley.'

A friend was in KC and brought me a real estate magazine. I was amazed to see that there are homes as far south as 465th Street!

I might go back for a work-related reunion and go to some of my favorite places: the Nelson and the Plaza. Also, I gotta' see how Tornado Alley has built up.

Keep up the good doggie work!