Pets are good therapy

CP413, Remember that Twilight Zone episode where they told the old man he could not enter with his dog....he had thought he was at Heaven's gate, but went on down the road and found out the place was really Hell and when he did get to the real Heaven, they welcomed old Rip or whatever his name was with open arms along with his master?   I think you need to keep that horse and are able to.....just mho.

Stanzi, my husband had two cats that got megesphagus( I also am not sure of spelling)  I think they were both Simese or part Simese.   The one he took to OSU and spent a lot having him diagnosed, but there really wasn't any cure.  Then when a later cat got the same thing, he knew what it was.

The Rainbow Bridge makes me cry every time I watch it.   I do so hope I see George and Sydney again one day.

Maya, As far as I can tell you do an excellent job with German.....if I write it I know my word order is off even though I know they stick the verb at the end or the sentence.   I know you speak French also....that is the language I am very impressed with.....it just sounds pretty.  German is not pretty, very gutteral, but I like hearing it because it makes me think of beautiful Germany and Switzerland.  Now Europe is a place where they really appreciate their animals.....I just could not get over all the well behaved animals I would see in restaurants with their owners.   My pets would be begging for food.....and the taller ones would probably be putting their paws on my table so they could stand up and check out the menu.  Hmm, now I am wondering if pets can be bilingual and understand mutiple languages.   Remember Rosie the elephant in Water for Elephants.....think she only understood Polish. 

Rava, Praying for your dog.   My Syndey developed oral cancer......you cannot imagine how bad I felt about that one since I am a dental hygienist.  I thought I should have noticed it sooner, but really did not until I saw he kept pawing at his face a lot and then I looked in and saw this huge thing and actually thought it to be an abcessed tooth.    They successfully removed the tumor, but when it came back the second time I just let it run its course as he was 17 1/2 yrs old and chances were it was in other places also.   He was a huge part of my life and I have never replaced him as I knew I could not, just could not stand life without a pet so got others.

You hit the nail on the head, Aussie....it's not complex, it is unconditional love. 

To all of you who post on here, thank you for understanding what it is like to love and need pets. 

Merilee, I wish you all the very best with your pet training , also  the book you want to write, but I would really prefer it if you don't take any of my quotes or comments for use.   I know you are not going to use names, but I tell enough about myself, that it would not be too difficult to figure out who I am and don't always say the nicest things about my family (other than animal) and work and people I know.  That is the reason I am only in a locked group on facebook and dont accept people's requests when they want to be friends.  I know it is all out there for the world to see.  Also I got a book on breast cancer once and you can imagine my surprise when I saw things I had written myself in it....not a lot of things, but things I really did not feel like sharing with the world, but was sharing on a breast cancer site (not this one because I could figure it out from what I said so it was quite awhile ago). 

Also, I do not have the best behaved animals in the world so dont think any advice I give would be of much value to anyone.....just know what has or has not worked for me and that I love my pets very much and would be lost without them.  

I honestly do think pets offer wonderful support and are good therapy.......like I said a page or so back, that article in the US weekend supplement that was in the Sunday paper supports that belief....they said it was something that people always thought, but now scientists are actually supporting the theory with data.

I think you are a wonderful person, dealing so well with your cancer, Downs Syndrome son and taking in rescue kitties and know you want to help out others, but I would just prefer to keep my posts on here. Not that they can't be read by the world also ( was a bit shocked when I found that out when I didn't even have to sign in one day to read them), but most of the people I know do not think to go to a breast cancer site unless they themselves have the problem.  Hope you understand and I am in no way discouraging you other ladies from helping out with your venture. I think some of the stories you all have put on here about how your furry friends helped you when you were doing treatment are really worth sharing.  That pet sanctuary I went to when I was in MO. last fall really touched my heart and what the world needs is more people like you who are willing to help with animals who need help and special attention.  I am sure you will do a good job and if your venture needs any donations, I could perhaps help out there since I already contribute to just about every pet organization there is....am a softie when it comes to animals.    Again, hope you understand.     Marybe