A thank you to my animal caregiver

Peaches
What a wonderful tribute to Daisy!!

Peaches is my husband's animal caretaker. She's his constant companion and most definitely acted like she was in charge when he returned home after surgery. It was probably the fourth or fifth night after he got home that I finally decided to sleep in our bed upstairs instead of on the couch downstairs by Chad. It didn't last for long, however, because Peaches came upstairs and talked and whined until I went back downstairs where she thought I belonged. Within about two weeks of Chad coming home she very gently jumped up into lap as he sat in his recliner. At 43 pounds, she's hardly a lap dog but try to convince her of that! Whenever Chad had abdominal pain, Peaches would hop up and lay on him. Whether it was her warmth or the pressure her body on his stomach, i'm not sure but it always made Chad feel better.

Can't imagine going through all this without our fuzzy little girl!

Mary

Paw prints on our hearts
We have three sweeties. All are shelties, one is our oldie, 14 a sable and white girl, Darcee. She was my show dog and still thinks she is and she follows Tom all around. We call her Lola now...she thinks she's a show dog.

Our second caregiver is Red. A funny name for a sheltie who is a bi blue merle, black white and silver with one blue eye. This little guy came from Mobile and helped me through two knee replacements by never leaving my side for 2 months. He then took on Tom, during his chemo and radiation in the Fall of 2009. He'd hop up and keep him warm and just be there for him. He was there for me during those long lonely nights and still is.

Our newest sheltie from Mobile also, Vaughnie is an American/ Canadian Champion. He's my soulmate. He's like a therapist. He never repeats what you tell him and lays in my lap for hours and is always by me gazing at me. We didn't need another dog, but he needed us and so he's with us.

To me there is nothing like a furry friend when life kicks you around. They love unconditionally and what they ask for is little compared to all they give.

A big cheer for the furry friends in our lives.

jan

mrsbotch said:

Lee you are so right
Lee

I loved your letter to Daisy. Animals are so important to us and I am happy that you think so much of her and she of you. What a great pair you are.
About a month after Vince passed away I rescued a golden retriever that had been tied to a tree for around a year. I named him Handsome as Vince used to go up to people and Say Hi Handsome if he didn't remember their name. He is a wonderful dog and has LITERALLY saved my life. If not for he and my 91 year old mather I was going to a very deep dark hole and maybe would not have come out of it at all. So thank you Handsome for being my life saver.

All of us pet lovers are good kind people and You Lee are one of the best.

I love ya Lee and Daisylin

Be kind to yourself


Love

Barbara

Annie Girl
I too have a mixed beagle. Have had her in my life for 11 years. She spent the early years of her life watching ove my partner who was also terminally ill with lung and heart trouble and was on a ventilator. She took great care of him, layed on the bed beside him for hours at the time and protected his space when she thought visitors were getting too close. She had a two year break from caregiving after he passed away and then I got EC. She has jumped right back into that old role. She stays by my side continuously, sits in the bathroom while I shower and watches tv with me in the evenings. She seems to sense a bad day and will rarely leave the bed on those days. She's a great friend and I love her dearly.

Donna70 said:

Hi dogs are wonderful caregivers
Hi Lee,
Excellent post!!!! glad you have Daisy in your life. My lifesaver is a little old pug named Emma. She is 12 yrs young now and helped not only me but my hubby too. I had to go to the hospital alot during my chemo and radiation presurgery and Emma pined for me but kept my hubby company. My neighbors said it melted their hearts to see Ron walking her, since I was the one and only walker for her most times. Once after 2 back to back hospitalizations, she tried to go out the door with us, she had had enough of Mommy being missing. But her unconditional love has been wonderful for us. When I had my famous last chemo treatment on St. Patty's day, I had my hubby cut my sparse hair into a Mohawk, I dyed it green and posed for a pic with Emma on my lap. It really was great, at the chemo center I would whip my wig off and wish people Happy St. Patty's Day and everyone had a grand old time. Cheered myself and everyone else. So any dog or cat canbe a caretaker too for the whole family. Thanks Lee for letting the rest of us share our stories too. take care, and many hugs and prayers for all.
Donna70

Joel's Colby is my cyber pet and inspiration
Lee, what a wonderful thread! Your letter was perfect and I've loved reading all the responses.

Since we downsized and moved, we don't have a pet. I had posted about scan anxiety and Joel had responded in part with this:

"This is going to sound like a crazy analogy but I try to think like my four year old black lab (Colby). We live in a home that abuts about 2000 acres of conservation land and Colby thinks he owns every acre. He rules the forest with an iron paw and has the scars to prove it. He may just be the happiest creature on earth. The funny thing is if we moved into a box under a bridge he would be just as happy there. My advise Angie is to live in the moment and don’t beat yourself up over things you have no control over."

Since I read this a few days ago, I can't tell you how many times I visualize Colby prancing happily and peacefully through a beautiful forest and then prancing happily and peacefully through a shanty settlement under a bridge. And then I feel happy and peaceful, too.

Thanks Joel and Lee and all of you!

Angie

Loving Pets
Although I no longer have any pets, I think they are special. Personally, I'm a dog person--they give unconditional love. No matter what you look like, no matter how you're feeling--they don't care, they're always there for you. Pets can certainly be wonderful caregivers.
Melinda

Lee, What an inspiring post.
Lee, What an inspiring post. We have not had a pet since our children's, when they were still at home. My husband and I haven't wanted any, but reading what you all say, makes me wonder what I am missing. Maybe at 68, thats exactly what I need. Now to get hubby to agree--Hmmmmm. Jan, when I started reading Lee's post I did remember the things you have posted before about your pets.
I've enjoyed all the comments you all have written. It's so good to read about the good happy things in our lives.
Sandra