My dogs sustain me....
Comments
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Malachi and Oscar
It is fascinating how other animals have those senses so strong. Before my diagnosis, when i was so miserable with abdominal cramping from the pressure of the rectal tumor, my giant male cat, Malachi, would come and lay flat on my stomach. His weight would lessen the pain. He did that for about three weeks. He had never done that before, and he doesn't do it now.
Also, my pekapoo dog, Oscar, knew that something was going on when i went into surgery. Before i went, i would catch him sitting on the couch across from me, just staring. He had a very concerned look on his face. We gave him to a friend to take care of once i did go to the hospital. This was a friend who had watched Oscar for us many, many times in the past, and they are great friends. Well, this time, Oscar completely freaked out and peed all over my friends house. He paced around nervously, and my friend ended up having to bring him back home. Animals KNOW! Poor Oscar!
Many hugs,
Krista0 -
Pets
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Buddy, Gus and Sis
I got Sis as my "I finished chemo" gift to myself. The jokes on me! I never got to finish chemo and now I have a 175# puppy...go figure. I wouldn't want to do any of this without them. Yes, they do sustain me. They take very good care of me when I'm sick and play with me when I'm not.
Kimby0 -
they are living the life!kimby said:Pets
imgsrc=
Buddy, Gus and Sis
I got Sis as my "I finished chemo" gift to myself. The jokes on me! I never got to finish chemo and now I have a 175# puppy...go figure. I wouldn't want to do any of this without them. Yes, they do sustain me. They take very good care of me when I'm sick and play with me when I'm not.
Kimby
What cute dogs! Hope you guys have another couch, cause it looks like that one is spoken for!
mary0 -
Pets!!
Ok, now you are talking my kind of language! My little Bridget is my angel and without her I would not be doing as well as I am doing. For those who are not pet-lovers, the above may sound a bit of an exaggeration. But for those who are pet-lovers, you will know exactly what I mean.
Bridget is a little schnauzer, and lives to her terrier description! Full of mischief, can be stubborn, and definitely has a mind of her own. She comes across as totally independent. But, when she recently had some major dental work done, the little darling was confused and probably in some pain/discomfort, so she turned into a total mommy's baby. Clung to me like velcro and wouldn't let me out of her sight. When our little fur-children are hurting, then it goes without saying that we will do whatever it takes, however much it costs, to get them feeling good again.
As I mentioned in another topic... when I was in the hospital, both for my colon resection in Jan 2007 and my hysterectomy (not related to the cancer) back in 2001, friends brought Bridget to the hospital for day long visits. That's one of the reasons I am most particular to this one hospital in Vancouver... their policy is, if the other in the room don't mind, then pets are allowed to visit. I was in a ward with 3 other women at the time of the hysterectomy, and they all wanted Bridget to come visit. For the colon resection, I was in a private room, so that was no problem.
Is this not just too sweet? I think you can tell by the first picture, I was pretty darn happy to see my little Bridget!
Ok... speaking of sweet... is this not just a face that you know can get away with pretty much anything? Believe it or not, she's actually quite well trained and is one of the best little dogs.. but should she decide to be a little monkey-head, then yes, she gets away with a lot
Oh, but it doesn't stop there! More cuteness on the way. I believe it's at the end of August, the weekend "Walk to End Breast Cancer" happens here in Vancouver. I can no longer walk it, but the walk does come right along the beach, so past the front of our building. Bridget and I go out and join all the supporters on the road... and here is a picture of Bridget ready to go lend her support to the walkers...
I love this picture of her!! Although Vancouver doesn't usually get a lot of snow, this year we got more than usual. Unfortunately, I found that I can no longer go walking in it. I'm just not confident enough to be walking on the snow/ice. So this picture is taken right next door from home... there's a little park next door.
Of course, as most small dogs go, Bridget is a show-off As long as she is the centre of attention, she's a happy schnauzer. We were at a friend's house and he has a super camera. He took this on the back steps where she is demanding to come back into the house in her little Hawaiian dress (grin). Anything for a Kodak moment 
I've got tons more pictures of the little darling... but I think you get the idea She is definitely the apple of my eye!! She's a girl of routine... she doesn't like our routines to be changed. And if I'm late for one, she certainly reminds me... like a little while ago she came and reminded me that we were late for going out for her last pee of the night. This is a most important routine as far as she's concerned because as soon as she has done her business it means coming back in and she gets two carrot sticks before settling down for the night 
Thanks for starting this topic dasspears!
Huggggs,
Cheryl0 -
Love the photosCherylHutch said:Pets!!
Ok, now you are talking my kind of language! My little Bridget is my angel and without her I would not be doing as well as I am doing. For those who are not pet-lovers, the above may sound a bit of an exaggeration. But for those who are pet-lovers, you will know exactly what I mean.
Bridget is a little schnauzer, and lives to her terrier description! Full of mischief, can be stubborn, and definitely has a mind of her own. She comes across as totally independent. But, when she recently had some major dental work done, the little darling was confused and probably in some pain/discomfort, so she turned into a total mommy's baby. Clung to me like velcro and wouldn't let me out of her sight. When our little fur-children are hurting, then it goes without saying that we will do whatever it takes, however much it costs, to get them feeling good again.
As I mentioned in another topic... when I was in the hospital, both for my colon resection in Jan 2007 and my hysterectomy (not related to the cancer) back in 2001, friends brought Bridget to the hospital for day long visits. That's one of the reasons I am most particular to this one hospital in Vancouver... their policy is, if the other in the room don't mind, then pets are allowed to visit. I was in a ward with 3 other women at the time of the hysterectomy, and they all wanted Bridget to come visit. For the colon resection, I was in a private room, so that was no problem.
Is this not just too sweet? I think you can tell by the first picture, I was pretty darn happy to see my little Bridget!
Ok... speaking of sweet... is this not just a face that you know can get away with pretty much anything? Believe it or not, she's actually quite well trained and is one of the best little dogs.. but should she decide to be a little monkey-head, then yes, she gets away with a lot
Oh, but it doesn't stop there! More cuteness on the way. I believe it's at the end of August, the weekend "Walk to End Breast Cancer" happens here in Vancouver. I can no longer walk it, but the walk does come right along the beach, so past the front of our building. Bridget and I go out and join all the supporters on the road... and here is a picture of Bridget ready to go lend her support to the walkers...
I love this picture of her!! Although Vancouver doesn't usually get a lot of snow, this year we got more than usual. Unfortunately, I found that I can no longer go walking in it. I'm just not confident enough to be walking on the snow/ice. So this picture is taken right next door from home... there's a little park next door.
Of course, as most small dogs go, Bridget is a show-off As long as she is the centre of attention, she's a happy schnauzer. We were at a friend's house and he has a super camera. He took this on the back steps where she is demanding to come back into the house in her little Hawaiian dress (grin). Anything for a Kodak moment
I've got tons more pictures of the little darling... but I think you get the idea She is definitely the apple of my eye!! She's a girl of routine... she doesn't like our routines to be changed. And if I'm late for one, she certainly reminds me... like a little while ago she came and reminded me that we were late for going out for her last pee of the night. This is a most important routine as far as she's concerned because as soon as she has done her business it means coming back in and she gets two carrot sticks before settling down for the night
Thanks for starting this topic dasspears!
Huggggs,
Cheryl
Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos - made my day! I wish more hospitals would allow pets to visit although I understand why they do not.0 -
I'm a REAL animal lover!
I have a Calico Cat named Patches. She's five years old and all hair. I also have a Black Lab named Scooter. He's HUGE! He's 4 in May. I love my fur babies. They bring me such joy. They're wonderful company.
Scooter can read. He has a spot on his foot where he stepped on a rock. I put some Zilactin B on it and he hates the smell. I can show him the tube now, and he stops licking. He can also tell time. If we're not out of bed by 7:00 a.m., he whimpers ever so quietly until someone acknowledges him and then HE goes back to bed.
)
Patches has a meow that sounds like 'Mama'. Patches sleeps up against my tummy. Sometimes she turns around, lays on her back and sticks her butt in my face. Scooter is too big to sleep with us. He DOES nap with me on the sofa, tho.
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Hospital/Pet Visitsdasspears said:Love the photos
Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos - made my day! I wish more hospitals would allow pets to visit although I understand why they do not.
Yep, I understand why they do not... I can imagine that sometimes it could be quite the hassle. If it's a room, other than a private room, one does have to take into account if someone is allergic, has a fear of animals, etc., so the policy is that the other patients in the room must be ok with the plan. And of course, there are policies regarding the animals can't be running free, barking, out of control, etc. This particular hospital is involved with a Pet Therapy program where dogs (and some cats, I believe) go through a program, learning what it takes to be a Pet Therapy animal... and then these pets have their own ID and can go visiting. They would check in at the nurse's station and see who has requested a pet therapy visit, or they meed in the "patient lounge" and anyone who is mobile can come to the lounge. It has been proven over and over that animals have such a soothing influence over people who are not well. So this hospital takes it one step further and allows patients to arrange to have their own pets visit if the patient is going to be in the hospital for any length of time. Apparently another study found that if pets visit, it helps stop patients from becoming "institutionalized" (which can happen very quickly when confined to the hospital.
Hehehe... I remember one of the problems with Bridget coming to visit, because she is relatively small (13 lbs) and quite well-behaved after she got over being excited to see me, the nurses would come into my room and steal her to take her visiting the various rooms on the floor... so I would lose my little darling for periods of time during the visit. But then she would be brought back to my room, would curl up on the bed with me and the two of us would have a wonderful, soothing nap.
Most hospitals in Vancouver do not allow pet visits, so this is not the norm everywhere. But St. Paul's hospital is known for being a first in quite a few areas and they have found that there are more benefits to having the pet visits than problems. Hmmm... I wonder if this had anything to do with my quick recovery from the surgery? I know I surprised the heck out of my doctors on just how fast I was on my feet and out of the hospital once the surgery was done... when they weren't sure I'd be leaving the hospital for a few weeks, if at all.
Hugggggs,
Cheryl0 -
What a beautiful bunch of creatures and not a spoiled one among them!
Hatshepsut0 -
LOLOLHatshepsut said:What a beautiful bunch of creatures and not a spoiled one among them!
Hatshepsut
We'll go to Wal-Mart late at night if we run out of treats! We call Scooter 'Nick's brother'.
BTW.... that pic of Scooter is at 7 months. He's MUCH bigger! I don't have a recent one stored on the internet and my storage online is full. Too lazy to figure out what to delete and what to upload today. EEK
I love all the pictures, too. Bridget is such a doll. A true debutant. We had a Miniature Schnauzer back in the late 80's - 1994. We also had a Carin Terrier and two cats then. Salty and Rags were the dogs. Dubbs and KitKat were the cats.
I feed the birds and am an avid birdwatcher. I also feed the squirrels. My neighbors love me because the squirrels and chipmunks come to my property and leave their yards alone. I've found the squirrels to be a help. They pick through the bird seed and throw a lot to the ground. That helps the ground feeder birds. I like to name the squirrels but there are too many. I have NOT named the Black Rat Snake that likes to empty the bird nests. I'm hoping he doesn't come back this year. Or rather, she. We relocated many baby snakes last summer. MANY! I have just under an acre and do NOT need 10 snakes in my backyard! Hubby HATES snakes!0 -
Misty
Dasspears: Thank you for this thread.
Like your pup, our pup is a joy to us . She is my husband's best medicine and my best comfort.
She visited when my husband was in the hospital. She snuggles close to him when we sleep. She wakes up and checks how he is doing several times during each night. She even nudges him to eat his oatmeal in the morning by eating a small bowl herself (with vanilla soy milk, of course!).
I'm glad so many of you have creatures who share (and enrich) your lives. There are so many dimensions to healing--some of them wrapped in small furry packages.
Meet Misty.
Hatshepsut0 -
PetsHatshepsut said:Misty
Dasspears: Thank you for this thread.
Like your pup, our pup is a joy to us . She is my husband's best medicine and my best comfort.
She visited when my husband was in the hospital. She snuggles close to him when we sleep. She wakes up and checks how he is doing several times during each night. She even nudges him to eat his oatmeal in the morning by eating a small bowl herself (with vanilla soy milk, of course!).
I'm glad so many of you have creatures who share (and enrich) your lives. There are so many dimensions to healing--some of them wrapped in small furry packages.
Meet Misty.
Hatshepsut
I also have a dog, her name is Chiquita and she is a 10lb Yorkie. I have to say she is the best medicine ever. Right before I went for my first colonoscopy she got sick and we were in the process of having her tested We found out that she is diabetic and also has cushings disease which effects her adrenal glands. Well, when I went for my colonoscopy and was waiting for the results, Chiquita got really sick and had to be hospitalized. I remember going to visit her at the hospital and sitting on the floor just holding her in my arms. She layed there hardly moving and she was in pretty bad shape. My husband had explained to the vet what was going on with me, so when she came in and sat down on the floor next to me and asked me how I was doing, that was when I lost it. I guess the combination of waiting for my biopsy results and then Chiquita being sick was just too much for me to handle because I got hysterical crying that if anything happens to my baby I just won't be able to cope. That was the only time that I cried at all knowing that I might have cancer. She got better and 4 days later she came home. She was always by my side after I came home from chemo and she was my constant companion whenever I wasn't feeling well. I have always owned dogs growing up and they were always spoiled, but this is my husbands first dog and his little baby especially since he doesn't have children. I have never had a dog as spoiled as her and I always say we didn't train her, she trained us! I also sometimes say I wish I was her because she has the best life. But honestly I wouldn't have it any other way because she's a joy to have around!!!0 -
Misty....Hatshepsut said:Misty
Dasspears: Thank you for this thread.
Like your pup, our pup is a joy to us . She is my husband's best medicine and my best comfort.
She visited when my husband was in the hospital. She snuggles close to him when we sleep. She wakes up and checks how he is doing several times during each night. She even nudges him to eat his oatmeal in the morning by eating a small bowl herself (with vanilla soy milk, of course!).
I'm glad so many of you have creatures who share (and enrich) your lives. There are so many dimensions to healing--some of them wrapped in small furry packages.
Meet Misty.
Hatshepsut
She is darling!! She looks like she is modeling.0 -
Great thread!!!
I get my screen name here from my almost 7 year old boxer pup Scout (named after the little girl in "To Kill A Mockingbird", showing my age here).
I also have a totally deaf 19 year old cat that is like the energizer bunny. She has never been a lovey dovey kind of cat but she sure was when I was on chemo, especially when I had on the 46 hour chemo drip. I used to talk to her about which one of us would live the longest and there is no winner (or loser) yet!!!
Scout has a little brother, a almost 5 year old gray cat Lil Hagrid, named after the half man half giant from the Harry Potter books. Yes I've gotten so I like to name my pets after favorite literary characters.
My babies helped me so much when I was the sickest, when I felt the worst they would somehow make me laugh.......
Thanks for the thread and warming my heart.
Lisa P.0
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