Pets are good therapy

I'm a little late to the party but, let me say my dogs always know when something is wrong.

Pongo: 8 y/o dalmation (surprise, suprise) is just an old fart who lays around with his head in my lap.

Raven: 4 y/o black lab who is my sweetheart.  She stays by my side all the time, licks my hands whenever she can reach them, and is the one who knows when something is wrong. The only time she leaves my side is when my 15 y/o son or my 4 mo old grandson are around. Then she is all over them.

Goku: 6 y/o shih tzu.  he's just a pain, a little rat on steroids, who needs constant attention and trips everyone he comes near.  He must be between someones feet at all times. Although, he is the lap dog and never hesitates to show up for a good brushing or petting.

Then there are the cats.

Amy:  I have had her about 4 yrs, although I have no clue how old she is.  She was a rescue from a friend.  Had been declawed, the old fashioned way where they took off almost her entire paws!  I took her in, although I never thought I would have another cat,  because of the declaw issue.  I have leather furniture and thought I couldn't handle a cat.  She was apparently abused. Every time I rustle a plastic grovery bag or run water she still scats under the bed.

Amanda:  The pretty black fluffy stray cat my son has decided to adopt.  She has no fear of my dogs, although 1 of them really wants to eat her! Raven and Goku sniff her, lick her and have befriended her, Pongo goes full steam ahead to get to her, and I'm not sure he would do if he eveyr caught up to her!? She just lays on the front porch furniture, drinks water and eats the food my son puts out for her.  She jumps on the hood of the cars when we get home, jumps in open doors and just is apparently starved for attention.

Even the fish swim up to the glass when we walk by.

All (but the fish) are rescues.

My Yoyo is a rescue dog.  Mama was a Shih Tzu that was at full term when some renters decamped in the middle of the month and left her behind.  Luckily the neighbors saw them moving out and called the property owner, otherwise she could have been 2 or 3 weeks without food or water.  The puppies were born the next day.  The vet thinks papa was a poodle. I got him in 1990.  Stopped at PAWS on a whim because I was on my way to a medical appointment and was running 45 minutes early.  Over 30 people applied to adopt him that day.  My app just said I wanted a small dog, under 20 lbs, and under 2 years old.  They screened us over the phone and about 20 minutes after talking to me [for over 1/2 an hour] they called to tell me he was mine.  

The only thing I can say about Yoyo is that he truly lives up to his name.  In Chinese Yoyo means Honored and Beloved Friend.  Shortly before I found him I had read an interview with Yoyo Ma where he said yo means friend and thought what a good name Yoyo would be for a chinese dog because what is a dog but a friend doubled.  Didn't remember that when I saw him, didn't know what kind of dog he was, just blurted out Yoyo and he came running.  He'd been ignoring people who tried to get his attention up to then.  They let me hold him and when I tried to put him down he crawled inside my jacket.  I'm convinceed he knew his name and that we belong together.

i've really enjoyed all the stories, ladies.. i know my two little ones are the ones that keep me going rightnow. My little man, is thrilled that i spend so much time with him, in bed.. (the hypothyroid has me csptive ) and now, he's really protective of me.. but, he's such a love!

    chabba; my old lady "coco" is long passed now, but i went toa rescue for a min pin, and as i always do, sat on the floor...

   out of this little closet walks a little 3 lb chiuhaua; and comes and sits on my lap, and starts licking me... same thing, i tried to move her, and she crawled in my jacket.. the lady who ran the rescue asked me: can you hand feed her for me, and get her to drink?? she's been in that closet, attacks everyone who tried to get her out, won't eat, or drink.. she's obviously meant to be with you!!!!

   so, i was just looking, that day.. told the lady i had to go get money out of the ATM, but when i went to leave her, she growled at hher.. so, she took what i had... $8.00!!!

   she was with me, and my 3 boys for 12 more years, and was a wonderful compainion.. i missed her, and cried  so much, a friend finally bought my little blindie for me, a year later.. i swore i'd never get another, but i've had two gifted to me now.. my little man is liver colored like my coco was, and is just as close to me, as she was.. blindie (chica) is her dads "girl"thats' lur little family............3jays

Oh 3jaysmom ... that dog is totally in love - with you!  The other one looks like he's saying, get away from her, she's mine.

It so wonderful to have these little furry angels here on Earth.

You are too funny!  I think we all understand your sentiments and feel the exact same way.

Thank you moderators.  There is nothing like a puppy to light up your world..

I smell puppy breath

Marybe: A couple of pages back you asked about the weight of Hailey, my Trick-O-Treater Greeter.  Hailey "should" weigh about 6 lbs but seeing as she hasn't missed too many desserts, she is somewhere around 7 lbs.

Some of you know from other threads that I am exactly 3 wks out from removing center dog ears.  The incisions are all healed and the surgical glue is gone. Still have many weeks of the wraps and silicone pad to go. They seem to be doing their work as it continues to improve.  I am so happy to say that "Knock on wood", there has been no drama in the recovery. Definitely the right decision to free myself of The Mutants. Besides,Her Yorkinesses felt The Mutants were getting way too much attention and eating into their spoiling time.

Barbara

Barbara ... hope you continue to heal so you can get back to your 'real' job - spoiling Her Yorkinesses!

I know with Mr. Oliver he commisserates with me when I am not feeling well - then, in the next second he queries "enough about you, what are you going to do for me now."

My physical therapist is coming to my home this morning for an evaluation.  I can't wait.  My joints and bones are shot but at least I can, hopefully, build up my muscles around the joints for support.

my heart is breaking.  My dog, my best friend is dying.  He has been my constant companion for 17 years.  He went thru everything w me.  When I was all alone vomiting in the toilet his big head would would be on my shoulder, never left my side.  Oh, I cannot stop crying.....The vet is coming at 2 o'clock.  I know it is for the best, I dont want him to suffer.  But I feel so lost..........Thank You for letting me talk...........Kiley

Thank You Karen for your kind words,it meant so much to me.  It is done.  He is gone, but will forever live in my heart and soul.  I have lost my best friend and constant companion.  That unconditional love that kept me going through all these very difficult years is now gone.  Today Hope for me seems and feels like a distant memory.  Maybe in time that will change, for today that is how I feel.   ThankYou ..........Kiley........

Marybe!!WHAT  are you doing up at this hour!!!

   Kiley, I am so sorry you had to come to this day.. many many of us do, but it breaks our hearts.. they trust us to do the best for them, even in the end... we're here for you, hon......3jays

The support all you ladies have given me is so appriciated.  I have no words....Thank You...Kiley