Healing strenghth and unconditional love

It is so very strange that the seem to know what is going on without us telling them or even being to understand it if we did.

I had a beagle/cocker/heinz57 that 'knew' whenever anyone in the family was not feeling well, or was coming down with something.  She would simply be with that family member, moving from room to room with that person, even leaving her normal bed to sleep in one of the kid's rooms when they had something as simple as a cold.  While she never physically could do anything in our care, she was always there with a wagging tail, a head that she'd push under our hands demanding to be pet, or simply at our feet, lending her support.  I never knew how she did it.

Like to read a good book?  "A Dog's Purpose" and its sequel, "A Dog's Journey" by W. Bruce Cameron.  Especially great if you've ever had a caring dog.

I lost my mutt after almost 17 years with her, I can still hear the click of her toenails on the floors at night as she 'patrols' her family.  I'm glad you have a great George!

Animals are like family... unconditionally loving, intuitive, supportive family.  My life is enriched and my path has been made easier because of my animal friends.

Deb

We adopted our Tebow (mini poodle) when Jim finished treatment. He had been left in a vacant apartment and the landloerd had driven down a street and threw him towards a ladies garbage can. Thankfully she csred enough to call the rescue shelter. He was skin and bones and terribly matted. He was 10 years old when we adopted him. What a comfort and blessing he is to Jim. They spent hours napping on the couch together while Jim recovered. I don't know what we will do when he is gone. He has quickly become family. Jim was so upset when I accidently closed his foot in the van door so I think he will be devastated when Trbow is gone. Right now we are treasuring the time we have with him and the comfort it brings.

Debbie

Those that have been blessed with a furry friend know and understand the healing power they possess. An animal's intuition reaches farther than our own. 

Our Socrates (a Pixie Bob) is a very unique animal. They're a rare breed possessing character traits of their wild origins (red coastal bobcat). Although there are no DNA markers to verify it, I can assure you his looks {he has a bobtail about 3") aren't the only thing that gives him his wildness. If you heard him growl when he's mad (like at the vet's office) you would get goose bumps. He loves water and tries to bury his food (dry and raw chicken) when he's done eating. Pixie Bobs also had a primordial pouch/stomach which his bobcat relatives have. It's for storing additional meat when they gorge on a kill. Although it's not used, it's still there. He doesn't meow like other cats. He communicates with chirps and chatters. 

Since I've had cancer (I detected the lump in my neck last August), Socrates has been overly attentive to me. He knows when I'm hurting and I'll get a paw on my arm or leg or a head butt as if to say "Are you Ok?). He is a source of joy and laughter and good for my soul. 

Socrates with Marcia about a year and a half ago. He's bigger now (16 lbs) and won't reach maturity until November (his 3rd B Day).

"T"

fishmanpa said:

They Know...

Those that have been blessed with a furry friend know and understand the healing power they possess. An animal's intuition reaches farther than our own. 

Our Socrates (a Pixie Bob) is a very unique animal. They're a rare breed possessing character traits of their wild origins (red coastal bobcat). Although there are no DNA markers to verify it, I can assure you his looks {he has a bobtail about 3") aren't the only thing that gives him his wildness. If you heard him growl when he's mad (like at the vet's office) you would get goose bumps. He loves water and tries to bury his food (dry and raw chicken) when he's done eating. Pixie Bobs also had a primordial pouch/stomach which his bobcat relatives have. It's for storing additional meat when they gorge on a kill. Although it's not used, it's still there. He doesn't meow like other cats. He communicates with chirps and chatters. 

Since I've had cancer (I detected the lump in my neck last August), Socrates has been overly attentive to me. He knows when I'm hurting and I'll get a paw on my arm or leg or a head butt as if to say "Are you Ok?). He is a source of joy and laughter and good for my soul. 

Socrates with Marcia about a year and a half ago. He's bigger now (16 lbs) and won't reach maturity until November (his 3rd B Day).

"T"

 

T.  You know, he actually looks like a BAD A$$.

J.

jcortney said:

T.  You know, he actually

T.  You know, he actually looks like a BAD A$$.

 

J.

Hey J,

Pixie Bobs definitely have a wild look about them no doubt. I originally heard about the breed about 10 years ago in a news article about a pet cat that attacked a burgler and scared him off. A guy had a big male Pixie Bob and someone broke into his home while he was sleeping. The burgler was going around with a flashlight and heard a wildcat growl. He shined his light up toward a shelf and saw a pair of eyes. The cat jumped down and hit him full force in the face and neck biting and scratching him. The burgler ran, the owner called police and when they   responded they passed a man walking down the street a block or so away bleeding from bites and scratches to the face and neck.

I looked them up and knew then I wanted one. It took a long time to be in the position to do so but I finally got Socrates a little over two years ago from a breeder in Texas (Bobcat Legends). While he won't be as big as some others I've seen, he'll still be a big boy and will reach close to 20 pounds when all is said and done. He's as sweet as can be, intelligent, obediant, well behaved and social. But you're right... he really does look like a bad a$$ ~lol~ and I love it! 

"T"

Duggie88 said:

My Duggie

Katie

My screen name says it all. We had a Golden Retreiver named Duggie he was 14 when I was diagnosed with cancer and his health was failing. He actually made a bit of a comeback until my last day of radiation and slid to the point were we had to put him down. My wife always said he wanted to stay around to make sure I made it through it all. It hurts to even think of him now. I always said I wanted no other dog because it just wouldn't be the same but three months later the day after my first PET Scan we got Kasie a Yellow Lab who has been my bud ever since. The day we brought him home his first romp in the yard was right over to where we buried Duggie in the woods he sniffed around looked up at me then proceeded to explore more of his domaine. He was definately a big part of my therapy. The picture is Kasie

Enjoy the day

      Jeff 

I laughed right out loud when I saw your pic of Kasie....what a doll she is!  I'm surprised that there are a number of us who lost our pets either during or right after treatment....losing MoJo while I was in the throws of 5FU was the only time the words "unfair, unfair, unfair" rolled through my head.  Missing our past babies is hard to get past.....Moj was the most beautiful GSD I've ever seen, and the biggest....he outweighed me by 40 lbs....and was tall enough to see what we were having for dinner by laying his head on the table.  He marched to his own drummer....a pain in the butt till I re-learned a totally new way of training a dog....he didn't lik

I still can't post pics for some reason....copying and pasting HTML from photobucket doesn't work for me.

p 

CivilMatt said:

Matt with cat

Hi Katie,

 

Many of a time during treatments this little girl would be sitting patiently waiting for me to get home and take my place in the recliner.  She also loves it when I lay on the floor with my feet toward the fire, because then it is time for some head scratches (for her).  Every morning she patrols the back yard to make sure everything is in place.

 

CivilMatt with CivilCat

 

Do you gots some fish in that thar pond? they be pets too.

I agree.  I have three wonderful kitties Puma, Spot and Princess Firefly.  Since dad got cancer Spot has been a caretaker to him as much as mom and I.  He walks beside him, watches to make sure he gets in the door and shows nonstop love. 

When I am sick they will take turns laying beside me and giving me kisses.  When I leave I tell Spot to take care of mom and he will sleep at her feet all day.

Kathy

Jan Trinks said:

Oh Yeah!

Kate:

 

If I did not have Sammy(my dachshund) and Chargee (my sheltie) I would honestly be the true definition of a basketcase.  I lost Blue (sheltie) 7 months to the day Charlie passed away and he was almost 13 and then my beloved Rowdy Powdy last March.  He would have been 14.  I had them cremated so they sit on the entertainment center on either side of their daddy.  Dogs are my favorite of course but I am an animal lover and I love black bears and was distressed to learn while I was in NC from the news that in W. NC and Northern GA mountains they had caught people who had been trapping and killing these bears; and am happy to say are now facing harsh punishment and some of them were actually employees I think by the national parks; for what reason I'm not sure but those people lost their jobs.  I'm going thru tough financial times right now until (hours cut back at Jo-Ann's; not a lot of sub calls right now and will be Aug/Sept before retirement and Charlie's SS start) so Chargee and Sammy really keep me going.  And Chargee the sheltie who will be a year old Wed. is like your minpin too; he pesters me in the morning when he thinks I've had enough sleep but oh so precious.  There's also a book out about dogs going and other pets going to heaven.  Haven't read it yet but plan too.  The good Lord as always certainly knew what he was doing when he made dogs and cats and all the other animals.  Enjoy your new minpin.  Sammy was a rescue dog too!  Am so glad you got a minpin and I don't know if you saw Hondo's post a while back when he was in the hospital and they let his family bring their dog to see him as she was having a rough time with her buddy in the hospital.  He talked about how she had been with him thru treatment and all and how very special she was.  So yeah, there is definitely something about them and how they know all about us.  When Charlie passed away Blue and Sammy knew something was definitely up; but that Rowdy Powdy knew the minute I walked thru the door on the night his Daddy passed away that he was gone and was just there with me (I mean literally by my side every minute) and when I had my moments and cried he would come get in my lap and lick my face.  He was just awesome.  I'm so thankful I have Sammy and Chargee as they are truly Mama's Boys.  As I matter of fact when we eat I say the blessing that I grew up saying which was "For food and health and love and friends Father we thank thee Amen; only now they are beside me and I say "For food and health and love and friends, Father, the boys and I thank thee, AMen!  I could go on and on but I'll stop there.

 

 

 

Jan (Basketcase)

Good post Katie!

Gotta love those critters!  Here’s Elvis and Blaze – gone but not forgotten.  200#’s of mischief!!

Greg