Pets are therapy.

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lizzie17
lizzie17 Member Posts: 548
I wanted to add a post for anyone who wants to share a pet story to lift our spirits.
So, all you pet lovers out there....you are all better writers than me....

To begin, I have a poodle and 3 cats. One cat is my daughter's and will move to live with her, but I actually believe that my pets have been therapy to me. They love me unconditionally, love me when I feel awful or feel upbeat and good. When I come home, it is like I have been gone for days instead of hours, and they greet me with such excitement, even the cats in their own way all run from parts of the house to the family room. It is one thing in my life that is a positive constant, and I love them!

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  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
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    Wouldn't want to do it without them
    I agree! Pets are wonderful! We have 3 cats, two of them are Siamese who just turned 1 in January. They were my constant companions while I went through chemo and curled up with me while I put my hot compress on the tumor site. They curled up with me after my surgery and now nap with me after my radiation treatments. They have been a source of great comfort and wonderful companionship as my husband is fully wrapped up in tax season right now. They bring real joy with their antics at times too.
  • Reikigemgirl
    Reikigemgirl Member Posts: 278
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    I have a cat......
    that never left my side when I was going through chemo. After I would get home from chemo, I usually would lay down and take a nap and right there she would be curled up next to my belly. Gave me great comfort. Her name is Seven. She has, once again, started sleeping on my feet lately. I think it is because I am getting ready to have my reconstruction surgery and she just knows that mommy needs her close to her.

    Love and Light,
    Vicki
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
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    Our cat, Cleo, is 18 years
    Our cat, Cleo, is 18 years old...older than both of my kids. She recently lost her sight, has lung cancer, and is on a special diet because her liver has difficulty processing proteins.

    We're not sure how much longer she will have with us, and we may have to make that quality of life decision. But she is very special. When she hears my voice, she will call me until I come to pet her. And both of us love it when I nap on the couch. Somehow she knows when I'm there, and will come sleep with me. I know it helps me, and I'm pretty sure it helps her too.
  • Mitzi333
    Mitzi333 Member Posts: 511 Member
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    Our cat, Cleo, is 18 years
    Our cat, Cleo, is 18 years old...older than both of my kids. She recently lost her sight, has lung cancer, and is on a special diet because her liver has difficulty processing proteins.

    We're not sure how much longer she will have with us, and we may have to make that quality of life decision. But she is very special. When she hears my voice, she will call me until I come to pet her. And both of us love it when I nap on the couch. Somehow she knows when I'm there, and will come sleep with me. I know it helps me, and I'm pretty sure it helps her too.

    I have 2 kitties.... Sumo and Lillie (pictured)
    My kitties are 7 months old and such a joy. They romp and play with each other and are soooo funny. They also cuddle, each jockeying for the space closest to me. It's a comfort to have them. They're great companions and a wonderful source of positive energy.

    Mitzi ;0)
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
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    Mitzi333 said:

    I have 2 kitties.... Sumo and Lillie (pictured)
    My kitties are 7 months old and such a joy. They romp and play with each other and are soooo funny. They also cuddle, each jockeying for the space closest to me. It's a comfort to have them. They're great companions and a wonderful source of positive energy.

    Mitzi ;0)

    I called my dog, Jake, my chemo buddy
    Every afternoon we took about a 2 hour rest on the sofa together. He is a 2-year-old Vizsla and about 45 pounds, very energetic and active but he was so soft and gentle with me--it's like they know. He definitely made my journey easier. He is also very funny and mad me laugh sometimes when I didn't feel so good.

    Thanks Jake!

    Hugs, Renee
  • PinkPearl
    PinkPearl Member Posts: 280
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    My dog
    My little rascal dog is named Ruby Pearl and she is a bundle of curious Min Pin. She loves my chemo way more than I do because she naps with me and she does love a nap. She jumps up and snuggles down under the covers and rolls over hoping for a tummy rub. She usually gets one :)!
  • sweetvickid
    sweetvickid Member Posts: 459 Member
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    They are such comfort
    But at times they drove me nuts! Normally they have their preferred spots but once chemo stated they insisted on both being in the recliner with me. They also tag teamed me when I would be in bed for a few days after chemo.
  • Survivor73
    Survivor73 Member Posts: 135
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    They are such comfort
    But at times they drove me nuts! Normally they have their preferred spots but once chemo stated they insisted on both being in the recliner with me. They also tag teamed me when I would be in bed for a few days after chemo.

    New Kitten
    We just got a kitten at Christmas...she has been wonderful for me. I have been home since the end of January and she is on my lap all the time...

    When I'm lonely, she is someone to talk to. When I want to cuddle, I just hold her and she curls up and sleeps...it's wonderful to just sit and enjoy her.

    I used to do this with my kids when they were babies...I would just sit and hold them while they slept and I loved it...my kids are 9 and 13 and won't sit still long enough now.lol.

    The kitten was supposed to be for my daughter, but she has become my baby since she is with me all day...she now sleeps either at my feet, next to my head on the bed or on my pillow...

    I am so glad we got her when we did...she has been a real comfort to me.
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
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    our cat
    I wrote an article in a vetrenary magazine once about a cat and called her "Queenie". I wrote it in a pseudonym as Nellie did not want to be identified in order to protect the people she owned. You see Queenie was a "Good medicine cat" for a man she owned that had a mental illness. The man she owned really was skeptical when she came to own him, but the woman she owned talked him into giving it a try (being owned by a cat). Now Queenie has become a good medicine cat for a woman with HER2 breast cancer. She is old and wise. The woman who she owns just found out that she is allergic to cats. However, the woman she owns will remain with Queenie until she dies as Queenie is too old to own any more people. The change would be too much for Queenie, Later when Queenie goes to heaven the man and woman will look to be owned by a dog as neither are allergic to dogs.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
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    so agree
    We have 3 dogs, 3 cats, 2 rabbits and ONE CHINCHILLA! all adopted from pounds/ shelters etc.