Pets are good therapy

We are doing the annual bird count here today. So I am busy counting the birds at my multiple feeders. "My" birds are almost like pets. I enjoy watching all the activity, even the squirrels and chipmunks. It seems I have always had pets. (My dad use to say I liked to take in strays, but he meant the husbands in my life also)

Can you tell I have not been working for a week! 

It took me a while to get Cinder after my 13 year old lab/setter mix died in Sept 09. I just had to go through the process and when it was time Cinder came along. Now that heartache has lessened. I still think of Velvet but with fond memories and not the sadness. Some days I still wonder what was I thinking getting a puppy, but she keeps me moving and certainly brightens up each day. (who could resist that face?)

Hello All!!!

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to find this thread, it is just what I need as I so need some advice. The year 2010 is when I got BC and it was shortly after treatements that my beloved little dachshund became ill. She was 15 and was my first child. She was with me through the rough and scary pregnancy,adoption of our daughter, the deaths of both parents and parent-in-laws, through my diagnosis of M. S., two home renovations, moving, divorce and BC. I still miss her terribly - it has been a year and a little over a month. 

I also have a cat, Tully who is 9. She never gave any of us the time of day except my daughter. Well after Liesl died this past year, Tully has tried very hard to take her place even waiting and looking out the door when I come home. She is a biter and scratcher but has become way more social and loving and now sleeps with me. 

So here is why I'm hoping you all might have some advice. I have the opportunity to get a little Sheltie puppy. He is very cute and my kids are excited about the idea- they are teenagers and one of them is special needs with Down syndrome. They "say" they will help. My oldest son has wanted a boy dog forever- one he can run and play ball with and teach tricks. So at 15 now this would be his last chance to have a dog as a kid and would give me more company and security when the kids are at their Dad's. OK, who am I kidding, I'll fall in love with it the second I see it. So my questions and needed advice are: How best to introduce an adult 9 year old kitty to a puppy? Also it has been 16+ years since I have had a puppy! so any advice would be lovely. I saw lots of you had dogs and cats..... My little Liesl was 6 when I got the kitty and she thought it was her baby and took to her immediately so I never had to think about it at all. But I have read adults can scratch puppies eyes so that scares me. I have never done the crate thing but will this time. Thanks... have loved reading about all your wonderful pets. I do have stories about Liesl taking care of me when I was sick but as this is coming up in the next few days thought I'd throw it out first. I had sworn I'd never get another dog as Liesl's death about killed me but after a scary break in when I was home and how much my kids miss Liesl I thought well....macatacmy- I can tell you relate. I still cry when I think about Liesl and broke down at the beach last summer when I saw two dachshunds- so I hope I'm ready for this emotionally. Thanks so much.

Stanzie, we have something in common. I have a Down's child as well. Your story is exactly what I am looking for for entries into one of my blogs. Would you consider writing about this in relation to how your Down's child is involved? Let me know if you are interested and I will send you a link to that blog. It's called Downsy Dude Rescue Ranch Project just so you know how it relates to your story.

I came across an article that has a suggestion or two for your new pup. First, if you can bring a towel to the pup and let it sleep on it before it comes home, then bring the scent into the house for the cat before the pup arrives, it may easy the transition for the kitty. Also, when you first introduce the pup they suggest the crate and let the kitty explore, but also give kitty treats when first exposed to the pup so that the idea of the pup is linked to a positive experience in the Kitty's brain. This made sense to me. You may want to bring the pup the cats scent as well because the pup will be naturally curious about the scent and you don't want him chasing kitty through the house to get at the smell.

Hope this little tid bit helps. Let me know if you would like to be a guest writer for my blog.

II love that idea unfortunantly the puppy is about 3 hours away so that won't work on the one end but I can try and bring the kitty scent to the puppy. The puppy is in a home that has cats but I don't think there has been contact as she is a breeder and the puppies have been going to homes only in the last week.

We can PM and talk about the Blog, sounds interesting however my son isn't too interested in animals so not sure how much help I'd be but would be happy to talk about it. 

 I have been reading a great deal about it all. And whew.... yes I'm sure my kids will not help me like they think they will and I'm ok with that. Just as long as they do something! LOL! I will keep them separate and will use a crate and also read to keep the puppy on a leash when in the house so I would have control over him so he won't chase the cat. The cat did grow up with a dog and they didn't curl up together but they played and certainly kept tabs on each other so I'm hoping she has been missing a furry friend. 

Thanks so much!! I so apprecitate it. What is a movable fence? That sounds interesting.... 

My heart is aching tonight.  We have been struggling with my brother being diagnosed with Stage IV kidney cancer, and last night they had to put their precious dachshund down.   I'm so worried about my SIL... that dog was all the comfort she had.  And I feel only you all can even begin to understand.

Dear grdnslve, I am so sorry for your whole family, sometimes you have to wonder just how much you can bear.  When I lost my cat, Murphy to cancer I thought my heart was breaking, I couldn't even read that poem of the pets waiting on the Rainbow Bridge without crying until several months later.  When you rely on your pet for support and some lighthearted moments with this D*_+ disease, it is even more difficult.  My heart goes out to your DB and SIL and your family.  Karen

grdnslve-so sad, there are no words to make it better.  Sometimes it does help to do something in honor of the lost pet. Some examples I have seen before is , plant a tree, or flowers, give a donation of time or  money to a shelter in his name, or write memoirs of the good times with the dog. Some people do a scrap book. Sometimes it helps to get the thoughts out of our heads by either talking or writing. Your SIL has a lot to deal with right now, as do you and your brother. So sorry you all are suffering, no fair.

I am so sorry your family is going through this terrible time.  Please convey my thoughts and prayers to your SIL and your whole family.

Oh grdnslve I feel so sad for your SIL, my, what a hit !  I am so sorry. .....Hugs, Kiley

So Sweet,  I love it when cats and dogs are buddies !

I can just see her running with that wreath!

Both my cats, Sophie and Emma are very skittish tonight. The temp just dropped 10 degrees in the space of an hour and the wind gusts are rattling the windows, both have their ears back and following me when I move.  Sophie is between me and the keyboard and Emma is at my feet.  Got the candles all ready in case of power outage.  We'll be three in bed tonight for sure.

One winter we had quite the snowfall, foot or better, that evening we had sleet.  The next morning all the snow had a coat of clear ice on it.  I had my best dog, Quincy, a golden and Irish setter mix, when I let him out he raced across the wrap around porch and made a flying dive into the ice-snow, all 4 legs splayed out on him, the expression on his face was priceless, we were all on the porch laughing and waiting for poor Quincy to make his way stepping gingerly across the snow.  Had to shovel a space out on the driveway for him to do his business.  I can still see him splayed out and the puzzled look on his face.