Pets are good therapy

kmccraw423 · January 2012

WE had a white pekeinese mix who was beside himself with wanting to go outside to relieve himself. It had snowed about 2 feet. I kept telling him to wait until I shoveled a space for him but he was insistent! I opened the door to show him the snow and before I knew what was happening, he made a flying leap right into the snow and disappeared! He did an immediate u-turn back into the house and waited for me to shovel!

He had epilepsy and until we got him on the right medicine to control his seizures, every time he would have one he would lose control of his bowel and bladder so that once he was controlled he would whimper everytime he went to the bathroom - it broke my heart. Also, I think the seizures crossed the wires in his brain as he would growl at you while his tail was wagging a mile a minute. I would ask him which end I should trust!

karen333 · January 2012

I love these winter snow stories, I can just see a little guy flying into the snow and flying back in. They always look at you with that sorrowful look of how could you do this to me!

chabba · January 2012

We had a little 7 pound, 9 inch tall, black and tan terrier mix dog who loved to play in the snow. Once we had snowfall that was just over her head. She had a blast running through it, leaping like a deer to get her head above the snow. Much fun to watch.

Wren44 · January 2012

The first time our black cat saw snow was in the evening. We went outside and she was totally upset that we could see her easily against the snow. Guess she liked being invisible.

grdnslve · January 2012

DD said they had 2" yesterday north of Seattle, and the dogs were loving it. DS lives just a few miles away & his chiweenie hates the snow. Thinking the Buckmeister is glad to be in Arizona for the winter..and he is getting pretty good at avoiding cactus.

pminxy · January 2012

Pets are absolutely wonderful therapy, before I got my little black long haired Pomaranian I was slowly closing myself in living mostly inside myself, not laughing that much ; being very outging and stuff-but since I found and rescued this beautiful little girl called minxy from the RSPCA-I laugh more, get out of the house to take her for walks, talk to her and she cocks her head from sie to side and stuff. I would be lost without her and her love , back chat when I say no! They are not a cure for palliative cancer but they are the greastest part of your quality of live I got her back in 2005 just after I had finished my original treatment and I would not give her up for anything, she has litle big dog syndrome and tries to bodd other animals around s'o I try to avoid trouble. On the days I don't feel the best she is my shadow in other cases she just lays when she can keep an eye or ear out on me!

karen333 · January 2012

Hi all. I come to you for advice. Last week we had a horrible snow and wind event with winds gusting to 72mph. My two cats were acting bizarre all night, streaking through the house with ears laid back followed by one on my lap, the other sitting on my foot every time I sat down. My friend has a miniature Yorkie, she was trying to settle him down as she lives in a trailer with the wind hitting the side of the trailer full on the west side. He was shaking and had his ears back wanting to sit on her lap. She eventually got his ears to stand up and was laying on the daybed rubbing his tummy, which he loves. all of a sudden he leaped up snarling and bit her on the pinkie hard enough to draw blood, need a tetanus shot and a course of Augmentin. She is crushed by the idea of putting him down, as when they are alone , she is single, he is her loyal companion. He did bite a friend of ours, but he was trying to pull burdock from his legs. She warns everyone that comes to the house not to pet him, that he may bite. He came from a very abusive home, she rescued him when he was 4 - he is 7 now. He knows me well, I only pet his head and he knows I give him treats. He did snarl at me once, when I was messing with his chain trying to let him out. What do you all think? Karen

Wren44 · January 2012

Most animals will bite when extremely anxious or hurt. I think animals can hear more of the wind sounds than we can, so the storm probably sounds worse to them. Personally, I wouldn't put him down unless I was really afraid of him. It sounds like she cautions visitors, so she's being careful that no one gets hurt. Maybe a vet could give her an anti-anxiety medication to use when he's clearly upset.

Anonymous · January 2012

My old silky , Sydney, was a lot like that. I dont think he was abused, but he was in a pet store until he was 6 months old and very leery of people.....it anyone came at him with their hand extended, you could be sure they would get bitten. He never bit me and was very protective of me. He was a very headstrong little dog and had a mind of his own and I am not sure how he got the streak of nastiness in him, but I adored that dog and thank goodness he never bit anyone hard enough that it caused a real problem or anyone sued me. He nailed two mailmen, but they were very nice about it and pretty much everyone knew about him because I warned them. At times he was just the sweetest dog ever, but he just had that quirk. Maybe shc could try putting a muzzel on him when you take him for walks or is around strangers and just make sure people know......Sydney was OK if he came to you, but he had to decide who he trusted and he sure didnt trust strangers. Maybe it was the storm that had him shook up, maybe she pulled his hair and didnt know it and the dog thought she was hurting him. Who knows? It is very difficult to know what they are thinking, but rather than just up and give up on him, I would give him another chance. Maybe he needs Xanax or a Thundershirt.....we did not have any luck with the shirt for Brattie, but this one gal I know who takes in strays and helps at a vets says they work.

karen333 · January 2012

Dear Wren and Marybe, thank you so much for your quick and thoughtful advice. I wondered if the storm sounded absolutely terrifying to him. I will tell her immediately as she is heartsick even thinking of putting him down. This thread is a lifesaver with so many knowledgeable women. Karen

Anonymous · January 2012

I just finished reading an article in that supplement they put in the Sunday paper, US Weekend about Katherine Heigl and her dogs.....she has 7!! It tells how everyone always thought pets were theraputic, but now scientists are proving it......something we knew all along, didn't we?

Merilee · January 2012

Karen

If you friend got the Yorkie from the pound, they may have a behavior specialist that can help. They often provide this service for free to keep dogs from being returned. Also if it came down to it I would mildly sedate my pet befoe I would opt to put them down.

kiley56 · January 2012

We had a cat that during a thunderstorm bit my mom, she needed to get stitches. I think animals get so scared of such thinks as wind and storms, and that sounded like a dozy. And I think little dogs can be nippy at times, some, at least I've had. I think I would go with mild sedation and the muzzel idea. We just don't know what some of these dogs have been thru and with the storm most dogs get hypersensative. But sounds like your friend really loves the dog so try those suggestions. Now my new rescue dog has some issues with aggresion towards men, rolling in her pooh, and dragging me around on the lease ! I'm goggling up these behaviors like crazy LOL ! Shes a dear, but REALLY ! Good Luck, Kiley

karen333 · January 2012

Dear Merilee, she asked the previous owner, a friend of a friend, if she could have him, after seeing him continually being hit, kicked. I will pass the info on to her about the behavioral specialists available at a pound. I would rather have my pet mildly sedated than have to put him down. Had a chocolate lab who belonged to an elderly couple who hired a sitter if they were to be gone together. Sawyer was 7 when he came to me. The first time I left him alone for a half hour, came home to curtains down, slobbered windows etc., got clonicalm from my vet and began a desensitization plan. Left him alone, after giving him a tablet, for 5 min., then gradually increased the time ever so slightly, when we got to 3 hours, I gradually weaned him off the clonocalm. We also got a puppy, I think the company helped a lot. The Schnauzer was the boss as it turned out, Sawyer was just the best natured dog I ever owned. He often looked like he was smiling when he was in a happy mood, which was most of the time. Thank you for your advice, I will relay it to m friend. Karen

karen333 · January 2012

Dear Kiley, I just now saw your post, thank you for sharing your cat story, my two were acting bizarre all night with the winds howling. I called my friend and gave her all the information you all have given me. She is much relieved, as she didn,t want to have him put down, he is her true companion. She is going to ask the vet for a mild anti-anxiety med. to have when there are ferocious storms, so Max doesn't get so scared. He really can be a dear like your Sydney, Marybe, she waltzes him around the room and he lays in her arms in a stste of bliss. Thank you all, Karen

kmccraw423 · January 2012

I just read about your friend's dog. I had a bassett hound that did the same (a little different bite from a Yorkie's). He bit his dogwalker who said I should put him down. I ignored her and went home for lunch to walk him myself - and yes, he bit me too when I tried to gently pull him out of the trash but he had so many good qualities and I had no idea what he had suffered before he came to live with me that I just decided everyone has their quirks!

Germanfrench · January 2012

schoen die Tiere .. aber wo bleiben die Kinder die partner ????

Ich liebe Tiere .... aber die Philosophie und auch Ehre dem MENSCHEN gegenueber hat fuer mich einen groesseren Wert..... deshalb esse ich nur sehr sehr wenig Fleisch.

eine Doppelmoral ????

Ich liebe Tiere .. meinen Hund .. meine Katze, aber ich liebe den hamburger und das Steak ????

sorry ... hier ist ein Umdenken gefragt

marie

3jaysmom · January 2012

i would also, tryso training sessions for the pups biting, but the windstorm and the anti anxiery pills def. will help.. cerainly, dogs with sgression show it all the time, not just in certain situations.. my little amsn was abused, thats' why we were given him... 5lb chiuhahua; he still yoas at ples feet, but "herds" mostly now.. just doesn't want anyone near his mommys' room!!!when chrissy stayed with us, on her trip, she could go to the "loo" but he made sure she didnt turn right to my bedroom..

he's a guy you gotta let come to you.. each, and every time.. im gonna try to post pix tonight...

i would have to have a big reason (like continued agression " to even contemplate putting a dog down.. the only one i had problems with, ever was a doberman, and when he went with a man to live, he was fine.. thats a Much better option... some dogs have spots you can't touch them on, too.. could she have hit one of them when petting him?

we DO love our furbabies!!!BTW; i trieed the miracle (//) dog shampoo this wkend.. i don't have smells, and had to add oxygen cleaner to the extract machine, but it cleaned fairly well.. all of a sudden, my little man is marking!!i caught him this wk( therefore the cleaning) he got his little butt spanked, and haven't seen him hit it again.. my girl Diva goes on area rugs. she thinks theyre there for her to use.. like "potty pads" now, we lock her in the kitchen, tell her "pishy pishy.. works like a charm, she goes on command, practiclly.. i can't WAIT till i feel well enuff to walk them regurlarly. then, we have no prob.................3jays

3jaysmom · January 2012

heres' my babies in their sleigh at christmas sweet kisses from my little man!!!

kiley56 · January 2012

Aww 3Jays, so sweet ! The love just jumps off the page ! Pets really are the best therapy ! Hi, german, wish I knew german, hope all is well with you. Wishing you all well ! Hugs, Kiley

3jaysmom · January 2012

thanks, kiley.. hello german.. i can't speak german, either...sorry.3jays

Anonymous · January 2012

Germanfrench, I actually do understand German since working in Switzerland for several years....But I do not understand what you are saying. You ask where the children and partners are?....I am sure most of the women who post on here do have partners, spouses, children and friends who offer them love and support, but this thread is about our pets and the special bone we have and how they have given us love, laughter, and support when we needed it. No one is trying to replace the importance of people, but this is a thead about pets. And even though I love animals, I eat quite a bit of meat so honestly do not see what your point is there either.

Love the pic 3jays.

Tonight I had the office gals for dinner and Brattie went wandering into the living room and I always worry about him when he goes where I can't see him so I go Brattie, what are you doing in there? and Tammy yells, OMG, he's peeing on the leg of the chair......He was immediately sent to the basement and I ran and grabbed the spot out and started scrubbing. Sometimes I think they just like to see what they can get away with.

karen333 · January 2012

Marybe, when thet go into another room and they are quiet they are like little kids, that's the time to worry. We are having another wind storm, gusts only to 45 though, however in the trailor it sounded much louder, I just happened to be having dinner there, she gave Max a half a clonicalm as his ears were back. You could actually see him mellow out, eyes got a little sleepy and he laid down at her feet and went to sleep. You ladies are great dog behaviorists!!!!

Merilee · January 2012

Awe Karen333, I am glad.

Kate60 · January 2012

Woof!! I have 4 furkids. I love them more than anything. No need to preach to the converted here, but whenever I start to feel glum or sorry for myself, I know that they love me no matter what.

Anything is manageable as long as they are near by.

Cheers

Kate

(PS pic is my girl Jilly. 5 yo Border Collie)

Stanzie · January 2012

My beloved little Liesl would also bite when she got older and when I got my diagnosis she may have already been ill without me knowing. After I came back from the hospital she would bite or try to bite when others tried to pick her up. She had always slept with me and when I came home I so wanted to be with her but wasn't allowed to pick her up. She also could hear or see as well so I think if she didn't realize someone was about to touch her it made her respond aggressively. I would hate for that little dog to have to be put down. I agree the storm does make animals quite upset so I wouldn't think that would be enough of a reason to worry... now around other people.. I understand but my cat bites people so I always alert people to this ahead of time. I certainly wouldn't make any decisions yet. I think the vet or a trainer could help. Also the muzzle is a good idea especially when there are storms or other people.

We just got a puppy and my cat has been quite anxious. I bought some Rescue Remedy at the pet store. It is to calm the animal - 4 drops in her food. It has seemed to help a lot and they are slowly getting used to each other.

I lost Liesl a little over a year ago and couldn't bear the thought of another dog as there will never be a replacement for her. But after a home invasion and my kids wanting a dog and my grief I decided a dog very different from Liesl might help. Alfie isn't at all like Liesl but her has brought joy back to me and my home. I'm not as lonly when the kids go to their father's and that helps so much. He is still a puppy so not getting much sleep either but that won't be too long. They are a huge responsibility as they are not welcome everywhere children are but otherwise for me they are another child and just as worthy and give as much or more love back as they don't talk back like teenagers and you can forgive them for not cleaning their rooms! LOL. This thread is wonderful and I loved reading all the snow stories. Can't wait for Alfie's first introduction to snow!

kmccraw423 · January 2012

I love animals more than most people but they are weird. We don't communicate very well with our animals so what we consider weird behavior they consider quite normal. You need to be a detective to figure out what's going on. My cat also bites although acts like a loving little angel to strangers who cannot believe he will bite. They really are deceptive advertising at its best.

My sister's two dogs are a hoot in the snow - first they are white so in a big snow you might lose sight of them. They love snow - hate rain. When it snows my sister would clean a corner of the lawn so they could do their business. Diva would get on the clear patch and go. Darla, the more stubborn of the two, was sure she could stand on top of the snow. Just as she would get into position to go, her bottom half would fall through the snow!

Maya2 · January 2012

schoen die Tiere .. aber wo bleiben die Kinder die partner ????

Ich liebe Tiere .... aber die Philosophie und auch Ehre dem MENSCHEN gegenueber hat fuer mich einen groesseren Wert..... deshalb esse ich nur sehr sehr wenig Fleisch.

eine Doppelmoral ????

Ich liebe Tiere .. meinen Hund .. meine Katze, aber ich liebe den hamburger und das Steak ????

sorry ... hier ist ein Umdenken gefragt

marie

Translation: beautiful animals .. But where are the children of the partner??

I love animals .... But the philosophy and honor towards humans has a bigger value for me ..... therefore I eat very little meat.

a double standard??

I love animals .. my dog .. my cat, but I love the hamburger and the steak??

sorry ... here is a rethinking asked

Marie (GermanFrench): I too, don't understand your post. I'm a near vegetarian. No red meat in more than 20 years and very little fish.

I don't have children--not every one does--or a supportive family. I had only my husband, who died a short time after my BC treatment was completed. Where do I go for support, if not my pets or here (but there was no "here" when I was diagnosed)?

What is it you believe we need to rethink? Can't we just have a nice thread about our pets?

Marybe: Can you check the translation below? It's supposed to read like the paragraph above. Thanks.

GermanFrench: Auch ich verstehe nicht, Ihren Beitrag. Ich bin ein in der Nähe vegetarisch. Kein rotes Fleisch in mehr als 20 Jahren und nur sehr wenig Fisch.

Ich habe keine Kinder - nicht jeder hat - oder eine unterstützende Familie. Ich hatte nur mein Mann, der eine kurze Zeit starb, nachdem mein BC Behandlung abgeschlossen war. Wo bekomme ich Unterstützung, wenn nicht meine Haustiere oder hier?

Was ist es Ihrer Meinung nach müssen wir umdenken? Können wir nicht einfach einen schönen Thread über unsere Haustiere?

Moderators · January 2012

Pets can provide great, unconditional comfort. As you are probably already aware of, numerous studies have shown that pets can reduce stress and decrease lonliness and depression.

Of course this doesn't discount the importance of other support, like kids, partners, friends, coworkers,neighbors, etc.. But it sure can make life nice and add some health benefits at the same time!!

3jaysmom · January 2012

thanks for the translations, Maya2 and Marybe.. my scruff rose a little,at first, but its down now... to each their own.. i know, i just love my kids, esp my "little man" ALMIST as much as my DH, and kida.. and somerimes BETTER!!!

when i was in counselling, we spoke a lot of the frief i had when i lost my beloved chiuhaua, years ago.she reamins a shadow in ny soul, to this day.. but they're all so different... i've learned that our furbabies can get "in our hearts" in a different way, than even people can...

thats' my story, and im sticking to it!hahahaha3jays

Pets are good therapy

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