Pets are good therapy

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  • kmccraw423
    kmccraw423 Member Posts: 3,596
    edited October 2011

    Gosh, it is so good to know that there are so many "rescuer" out there.  I did foster for a while but then my health went to hell in a handbasket.  Now I live in an apartment that allows one pet only (they are very specific - one means only one - counting fish, hamsters, etc.) and, of course, Oliver is my one pet.

    Grndslv ... I once took a dog right out of someone's backyard and kept him.  They had that poor dog outside in all weather - it turned out he had separation anxiety which led to urinating and deficating in the house.  If you tried to do anything he didn't like he was known to bite - when I tried to get him away from the trash he kindly opened one of my fingers - he also bit his dog walker.  He was a basset and I loved him so I put up with his little "quirks."  Oh, their neighbor told me they were at the hospital because the dog bit their child and when they got home they were taking him to be put down.  That's why I took him.

  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited October 2011

    kathleen--you are an angel.  we thought about doing that, but had three dogs of our own at that time (little dogs) and this fella is a big dog.  also, the officer informed us after investigating that the dog was well cared for, even though in our eyes neglected.  sometimes i struggle with the 'who am i to judge'.  so we settle for being the bright spot in his day.  i guess since we don't live that close, there may be many bright spots in his day we are unaware of.  hope so.

  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited October 2011

    oh, grdnslve, im so sorry for that dog!!when they come investigate; it shoukld be in the winter!their standards are sooo low!!!

      i have a gf who volunteers at the aspca here.. she wants me to go, but im not well enuff for one, and 2; i can't bear to think of the ones that don't get picked!!! im just not up to it anymore. i swear; i get more upset these days about dogs (cats) than people. i also prefer them to most people, also!.....3jays

  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited October 2011

    sadly it was in the winter, during a nasty storm.  for our area, we had a lot of snow.  at least they had the decency to let us know they did make contact, and although we disagreed with the result, according to their criteria he wasn't abused or in harm.

    i take in food & litter to donate as i can, but like you, right now isn't a good time for me to physically do anything.  i have enough on my hands taking good care of my own babies.   although i try to encourage spay & neuter whenever it is appropriate.

    i love   www.dogquotes.com

  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited October 2011
    thanks for the linky, dragon.. its' in my favs now...3jays
  • Starak
    Starak Member Posts: 536
    edited November 2011

    Hailey - Tirck-O-Treater Greeter

    My girls are on Trick-O-Treater Greeter duty in their Halloween tutus.  This one is Hailey.

    I had a good followup appt. with the PS.  Will have at least 6 weeks of compression bandages with a silicone pad.  The center dog ear removal incisions are healing well with no sign of infection.  Still a bit Frankensteinish but even now, will no longer show through my clothes so goal accomplished.

    Barb

  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited November 2011
    starak: i love the greeters!!! ii wish my bc had done the compression after  dog ear surgery!!! it took me 6 mos to realize its the perfect place for truncal le..duh!!! i now am getting a swell spot, and i know that'll help.. i've been putting a washcloth in it, bf wrapping and it works great.. i hope you work it all out well....3jays
  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited November 2011

    we never get trick or treaters where we are.   guess it's a good thing--the buckmeister would really go berserk.   finally saw my new grandpuppy & she is a cutie.  at 12 weeks she was a good 18#, and the buckmeister is 5# and a smidge.  when we got home his sniffer went into overdrive - vacuumed me up one side & down the other.  you would think they could recreate every pat, stroke, sniff, rub & lick just by sniffing.  he acted quite offended that i could be so unfaithful.  we can't figure out how he can sniff so fast...and loud.

    saw my ps the other day--3 weeks out from stage 2 diep.  one of the things they did was correct a 'dimple'.  and its back.  ugh.  so we talked about it & i don't want to do anything until next year.  we want to go to arizona for the winter & even if he were willing to do another proceedure so soon (which he isn't) i don't want to risk an infection with time running so short.  in the meantime i just hope it might go away on its own.  which is possible.  not probable, but possible.  other than the dimple, the reconstruction was great.

  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited November 2011

    3jays--this is off topic for here, but can't remember where i saw your post regarding butterflies.  where do you get milkweed(?).  i love to garden, and would like to attract more butterflies.  hmm- maybe there is a connection - papillon -- butterflies.....

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

      I don't know where you get mildweed, but once you get it, good luck getting rid of it.  It is like dandelions.....seeds go everywhere.   I bet I could get you some if you want seeds.

    I am off today so am spending the day in the kitchen and off and on the computer.   You can see what the dogs are doing....what a life.      I love the picture of Hailey....how much does she weigh? 

  • ktab96
    ktab96 Member Posts: 126
    edited November 2011

    Pets are GREAT therapy.  I am so thankful I had my cat during my treatment!

  • jennyfrombama
    jennyfrombama Member Posts: 63
    edited November 2011

    I have rescued or taken in several dogs; having 7 at the moment.  Mayflower the "dropoff" dog in the pic has been with me for a couple years. But about a year ago she started hanging out with her pyrennes buddies next door. The other dogs are in the kennel. They were nice people and I knew she was safe although I missed her; she is such a sweet dog.

    She started staying at home again about 1 month before my diagnosis and has been at the house ever since. I think she sensed I needed her.

  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2011

    I so love when pet pictures are posted!!  My pets keep me sane!! Someday I will learn how to post too. 

  • karen333
    karen333 Member Posts: 3,697
    edited November 2011

    They are also attracted by the butterfly bush, which you can get at your local nursery.  I am having a quiet day too, cleaning and off and on the computer.  Sophie and Emma are napping - what a wonderful life.  I want to come back as one of my pets with an owner like me, talk about the life of Riley!   Karen

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

      It is actually quite easy once you get the hang of it.....I had several women talk me through it.First you have to put your pics in photobucket....it is free to join.   Go to the thread you want to post on and minimize it by clicking on that little minus sign up in the right hand corner,(it will go down to bottom, but will still be open)  Then go to photobucket and then you  click on the picture you want to post and copy....minimize that and go back to the BCO thread by clicking on wherever it is on lower left....there you go to the box you are posting in and right click on mouse( now I am thinking maybe you left click....let me check) ....a box will come up that says copy, paste etc.....click on paste.  Then this message comes up asking if you want to allow access and you click on yes and it will ask you the same thing again and you click on yes and low and behold there you pic will pop up.   Do not try to do it by clicking on that tree above where you are posting (in the line with the big  B, spell check,  slanted I etc.....that way is much more complicated.    After you do this copy and past thing a few times, it is easy.   Easy for me to say now....I remember I got really frustrated and just could not get it for a long time, but then I started using photobucket.   Good luck....am anxious to see your pets.  Here's another one of mine..... Tim always says Brattie has a Q butt....see how the black does look like a Q....the other one is Hope....they are wating for someone to drop some food.

    You right click.....if you left click it makes the pic really large.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    Remember that show Life of Riley with William Bendix?.....that one goes way back so maybe you don't.   I just started a television thread and hope some people post on it if they get tired of discussing treatments, etc.  

  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited November 2011

    i promise to look for the thread, marybe. tv keeps me alive, along with my books. up in the middle of the night, sleeping late in the morning isn't a shceduale i like, but my thyroid insists on it ..hahaha

       i have several milkweed.. you can get them at home depot, lowes,... they can be broken off, when they get tall, and stick in water to get them to root..as easy as coleus is, here..

       to have a butterfly garden, you need a food source (milk weed is good, passion vine is what you get for them to become caterillars, and a bowl of water with a little sand in it. thats' it... also, they LOVE sliced bananas!!(a  toip from butterfly world..).....3jays

  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited November 2011

    thanks 3jays-- i've tried the bananas before--hard to keep the slugs out of it here.  might try it on a stand next time.

    washed the dogs yesterday while dh was helping a friend put in a door.  got out the clippers for the first time & cleaned up the buckmeisters feet, then tackled the poodle.  was going to just do her feet, then thought, why not clean up her face.  well, one thing led to another  she won't need to go to the groomer for awhile.  dh said she looked like she got caught under the lawnmower.  i don't know about her, but the lawn does where i shook out the towel to get her hair off.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    Pictures please.....want to see the newly shorn poodle.  

  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited November 2011

    oh lordy--i have no idea how to put pictures on here.  just posting is stretching my abilities.

  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2011

    Okay -- let's see if it works!

    This is Duffy a very large Pom about 22# we got from a rescue when he was about 2 yrs old.  He is now age 12 and had bladder surgery twice for stones. He is very spoiled and loves to go for truck rides with his head out the window and wind in his hair.  Big happy smile on his face!

    This is my Chip cat and soul kitty. Another rescue from years ago who is now about age 17.  He is my shadow and follows me everywhere. Escorts me every day to the barn for feeding times no matter what the weather. Snow wind rain he follows me to the barn. He never left my side glued to me during my chemo when I had those "bed" days and would sleep for hours. I always felt his weight against my leg letting me know he was there.  

    This is Ricky another rescue found in a dumpster as kitten behind a local diner. He snuck into the dryer while I was emptying the clothes.  Very sweet buddy cat who likes to watch TV.

    This is my TB now age 22 and my soul horse.  He always took care of me and now it is my turn to look after him.  During very rough chemo days I would go into he barn and hug him.  He sensed something was wrong -  maybe could smell the drugs from my body. My treatments were during a very hot summer July - Sept and I had rough time on AC and weak/dizzy from anemia issues.  One time while feeding in the evening I had a dizzy spell and laid down in the barn aisle.  This dear sweet horse tried to get out of his stall to get to me.  He kept calling and neighing to me to get up off the ground.  When I sat up and spoke to him he calmed down and stood guard watching me until I was able to stand up.  We participated in 6 mile trail pace after my 3rd Taxol in Sept - only one more to go. I had so looked forward to riding at the local park I decided to go although my Onc had concerns. I told him this horse will take care of me and he did. We rode the trails on Sat and came in 1st place - - Monday I had my  last 4th Taxol treatment and moved on to rads next. It was the only positive joyful experience I can recall out of that horrible summer.   

      

    Marybe --- your instructions were perfect!!!  Thank you!!

  • luv2trav
    luv2trav Member Posts: 39
    edited November 2011

    Pets are great therapy and I think they understand more than some humans do!! I am the proud "mama" to a 16 mos old puppy who weighs a mere 140lbs....Murphy is his name and he is a St Bernard.   I love big dogs although Murph thinks he is a lap dog...if i figure out how to post pics I will.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    Love the pics....who's who in them? 

  • 3jaysmom
    3jaysmom Member Posts: 4,266
    edited November 2011
    great pics...nnow, introductions, please hahaha...3jays
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    Go Back to page 15 and see my Nov 3 post about how to put pictures on here.....CP418 did it and she said the instructions worked great....obviously since she put some wonderful pictures on there.   It took me forever to learn, didn't it 3jays?....then for awhile I was a picture posting fool on all the threads. 

    Yesterday, right when I was ready to leave for the afternoon.....was going to the office lst to hook up with the receptionist and then we were going to lunch with a patient and meeting her at noon and from there I was going to my friend Cyndi's to take her family lasagna for dinner and also I had to drop off a slab of it to my boss in the other office.   Well, I would have been on time, had Harley not bolted out the front door when I opened it and then as I was yelling for Tim to come get him and he started out, Hope shot out and we had two dogs on the run.   And they will NOT stop or come when you call them.  When I lst got Harley off of Craig's list I wondered what was wrong with him ( he had papers and I paid quite a bit for him) that the people wanted to get rid of him and the woman said he ran away all the time and she thought he would get killed and I thought yeh, right, there has to be more to the story.    Then after he ran away a few times, I realized she was telling me the truth.   He does have other problems though.....takes Xanax for his little trembling episodes and he's sort of got a little hump in his back and rather spindly little legs......but he's as sweet as can be and I love him.     These are the two runaways.  We did manage to round them up, but I was late for the rest of the day.

  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited November 2011

    Marybe - - I went back to add edits descriptions under the pictures.  My animals are a great joy to me.

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2011

    CP, went back to look at the edited pics.....you are getting really good at this!   Congratulations on coming in lst place!!....just like the Little Engine that Could!!  

  • grdnslve
    grdnslve Member Posts: 310
    edited November 2011

    wow, marybe--i think i did it.  just look at the poor thing.  she is so embarrased.  all her warts are showing.

  • Loveshermother
    Loveshermother Member Posts: 101
    edited November 2011

    my dogsI have a dog named bella, she came into my life at the time I needed her most. I had to put a golden retiever dog down  who was only 6 and the best dog ever. (we all think that of our pets). shortly after abby (my golden) was injured by falling into a river water dug out she ended up tearing her main ligement and on top of that was born with hip displasica. (spelling ?). Just about the same time my mother was told she had ILC. It took me 6 weeks to come to the decision that she had to be put down. One of the hardest things I ever had to do. Now onto bella. She came into my life when I felt everything was falling apart.

    She is my sole mate. I have 2 other labs (zoie and madden) so the count is 1 choc lab (madden 10 months old) 1 black lab bella 2yrs old) and zoie who is 7 years old considered a yellow lab but is pure white. I would not know what I would do without any of them. Yes my house is crazzy.. LOL but at the end of the day, when everyone is tired from thier long day of work and life, they will all cuddle up with me and it just makes me relax and enjoy thier love. I really wish I knew how to down load a pic of them because Im so happy to have them in my life.

    My mom is doing well and we are enjoying NED. My mom is 76 years old. She had a long hard road getting to where she is at and if I was to tell you it all I would be here all nite.

    Again this is about pets. I love my 3 dogs and my husband and 2 daughters who put up with me and the lack of time they get with me in order to help my mom.

    My life is blessed with every person and pet in it.

    I pray for all you strong woman who are dealing with this awful disease. I pray of only good days and smiles for everyone.

    Penny

  • kmccraw423
    kmccraw423 Member Posts: 3,596
    edited November 2011

    I've been away for a while ... had another stroke, while I was on medicine to prevent it.  Go figure.  I went to the hospital and then rehab - just got home on Thursday.  I still have to get carotid angioplasty on the right side and a replacement hip.  So far my fifties and sixties have just been one fun event after another.

    I will definitely catch up reading this thread but I know that taking care of pets keeps you on your feet.  My cat, Mister Oliver, forgave me for the first few hours I was home (my aunt took care of him when I was in the hospital and rehab) but since then he has been "punishing" me for my long absence.  I was showing his picture (on my cell phone) to everyone at rehab that couldn't get away from me.

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