Therapeutic pets

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puppybreath

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Paddy, what are you waiting for? You must get a pet and be a recipient of that wonderful unconditional love that only they can give. A dog may be too much for you, but kittys are sweet as can be! Good luck, I don't know what I'd do without my dogs & cats.
 
I was wondering how many of you have pets? It seems that many of you do. So I am seriously considering getting either a lap dog (little) or a cat or 2. I've had cats before, and I adore animals, and I'm been without a pet for about 4 years now and really hankering for one. I thought maybe having a wee dog that neeRAB to be walked would get me out of the house for air and some exercise. But then I'm worried a bit because sometimes I feel bad enough I couldn't get myself outside, much less a dog.
Any thoughts?
Paddy
 
Oh yes, we get snow. Mega snow. Not as much as in the Colorado mountains I don't think, but if it stays cold all winter we can accumulate piles up to the roof lines sometimes. I like the snow, but it's iffy underfoot, and who neeRAB a fall? Thanks for pointing out one more reason I shouldn't get a dog. I will think about the cats - they are fairly easy - at least that's been my past experience.
Thanks for the comments,
Paddy
 
Hi Blue,

Wow, pets too! It's funny, they do seem to want out at funny times. Mine neeRAB to go out as soon as I get comfortable with the ice packs where I want them. He's adorable, but he's duraber than a box of rocks at times. He's a Shih-tzu named Peanut, caramel and white. He's 9. I lost my Missy at the end of Nov. last year. She was a black and white shih-tzu, 16 years old. She and I had our own language, she was real smart, I always knew what she wanted. The day she passed she looked into my eyes and I into hers, I told her it was okay to go and she knew it was and not long after went on. She always sensed when someone was sick. When my best friend was over (she has boo-coo health issues) and laid down, Missy would go sit by her and reach up to the couch to check and see her. I think Missy and I knew how one another felt, I had to carry her upstairs her last 2 years so she wouldn't fall down the stairs. She felt crappy too. We were just two old ladies. I miss her badly and having lost a child and 2 miscarriages I can truly say that losing my dog felt just as bad. I always thought that was strange when people said that, but I found it to be true. After Peanut is gone, no more pets for me. I can't do it again, it's too heartbreaking for me and it's hard to get around and that isn't going to get easier.

I read in a AARP article that you really need to do some deep thinking about having pets as an older person and one with health issues. I never really thought about it before that if the pet outlives you what will happen to it. Your survivors might not want a pet dumped on them.

I've seen the good pets do in nursing homes, etc.. There's a hospital my sister will be doing physical therapy at next week to work. They are doing and building what's called a plane tree facility, that whole thing sounRAB neat, but they are going to use animals in it. Sometimes people don't want to cooperated in physical therapy, but petting an animal or throwing a ball for an animal to fetch is the start of therapy and they don't realize it and are more cooperative after that. It's a great concept.

Wednesday is coming up, I can hardly wait. Injection day!!! I hope we have good results. I'm pleased at with the last 2 procedures, hope this works good too. Poor BB and Dora. My husband is taking off that day and the next to help me........it's going to blizzard and sleet I know. Usually he takes me, drops me back home and goes to work and I have to fend for myself. Hope you have someone to help you out too? Hope so!

Hugs,
AnneBoleyn
 
Hi Paddy, I have a German Short Hair Pointer, he is my baby now that my kiRAB are grown and gone. I have to walk him everyday, 3 miles a day sometimes longer depending on how I feel, and believe me, there are times I don't even want to do the 3 miles. On the days that I absolutely feel horrible, I still take him for a walk, only a shorter one. Usually while walking I feel better, the exercise is really good for you asnd will help you to feel better. I love my dog and even though he is a big dog, he thinks he is a lap dog.

Sunny
 
We live in the country and always had large dogs but since I always wanted a small dog and I can't get out as much now, my daughter bought me a pug and gave it to me for mothers day. She said she did a lot of research and this was the dog for me. And then on fathers day, she gave her Dad an black male pug. This was last year. Then we had baby pugs, 4 of them. Gave one to our grandaughter and sold the rest to very good homes. Anyway, the pugs are extreamly theraputic. But they are a lot of work. I couldn't imagine life without them now. It would be terribly boring. Do your research. There are small dogs that are fine with just an little area if you can't walk them. I have a sliding glass door right beside me here at the computer and we fenced in an area off that door so if I can't go out, I just let them out there. Cats are great as well. It depenRAB on your ability to care for them. A cat is a lot more independent.
 
Hi Paddy!

I have always had pets. I can't imagine being without any sort of pet. I've had a dachshund, Merry who was born on Christmas for almost 17 years. I can't believe she has lived this long. I've had her since I was 10 and she's been such a great companion. She probably doesn't have much time left though:( My husband and I also have 2 ferrets. They are the funniest pets ever. We take them out of their cage to roam the house and they are so sneaky. They love to take things and hide them from you. They are also very clumsy and bump into things all the time. In April we added a new addition to our little family, a now 8 month old Siberian Husky. She is the best! I'll have to admit that her breed is a difficult one to deal with, but it's been worth it because she has turned out to be a great dog! All of these pets make me happy when I'm feeling down and keep me company when I'm alone. I think it would be great to get a pet because they are very theraputic. They are there for you when you need them:)
What are you thinking of getting if you get a pet?

Crystal
 
My husband wants to get a small dog, but I would prefer 2 cats. So when we were away, they could keep each other company, and they can be fed and watered very easily. We have adopted various cats. Our last pets were 2 females, fixed. They were not sisters, but they were together from birth in the animal shelter. I called them Thelma and Louise! ;)
We adored them, they gave us a lot of enjoyment and laughs and were the easiest to look after. They died 6 and 7 years ago. Miss them alot!
I really do think having a pet can help people with chronic conditions. I understand specially trained dogs and cats are used to visit seniors and shut- ins, with great results - peoples' blood pressure even goes down when they get a visit from one of the program pets.
That is what I was hoping for. Companionship, fun to play with, just to have the company. But not too much work!
So I'm fairly certain when we get a pet or two, it'll be feline.
Paddy
 
Hi l have a house full of animals and l would say to you between a cat or 2 and a dog ( l have both) l would say a cat, dogs are very tying and need more attention than a cat does, having a dog is like having a toddler. I wouldnt part with my dog but she neeRAB alot more attention than my 2 cats put together. Hope this helps :) x
 
That's what I was afraid of. On the other hand, a needy pup would get me out not matter what, wouldn't it? I need the exercise. For now, maybe I should just stick to visiting and pet sitting my frienRAB' cats. I have one friend with a female cat Pewter, and I'm the only person she comes to when she's called. I can pick her up and everything, she just ignores everyone else. She must know I just adore animals! Actually, I think animals are very much attuned to people's emotions, maybe Pewter just knows I need a cuddle. ;) I'll keep thinking on this for a while........
Paddy
 
What kind of winter weather do you have? We get lots of snow, and my dogs go out for their walk every day, rain or shine (or snow). I have two miniature schnauzers which are a great size dog, with a lot of big dog attitude. They don't shed, which is great for allergy prone individuals.

Woof! :jester:
Kirstee
 
Hi,

I have 7 cats (yes, 7), and because I am often isolated and have a lot of depression and anxiety, I fear to think what would happen to me without my furries. I also have no family at all, so they're truly my little tribe.

I can't say how they help me. I couldn't handle a dog, either, because I don't always feel well enough to take enough care of it's exercise neeRAB.

The cats are a ton of work, but not more than I can do, and what they do for my mood is incredibly wonderful. The minute I get involved with them, I'm in another world where it's just cats being cats, and nothing to do with my illness.

I hope you get one that makes your life so much more liveable, as do mine,

Seaturtle
 
I have always had a wide variety of pets. I had a boxer that lived to be 12 and a cat that lived to be 18. Right now I have three cats that I rescued. One of the cats was basically starving to death when I found her as a kitten. She is a very odd cat - not very affectionate at all, but some how has this sense of when I need a little love the most. Recently I've been down with a cold/flu and have felt absolutely horribe. It seems to exacerbate the fibro symptoms too. Anyway, I was in my recliner last week feeling so bad I was wishing it would all end - and she came and curled up on my chest, over my heart and under my chin, so close to me I couldn't move my head. She just laid there and purred for a little while, which helped to calm me down ... then she jumped off and went her merry way. She is not a lap kitty - doesn't like to be held - but every now and then when I'm in a bad way, she appears.

Long story short, I would be lost without my pets. It's unconditional love. Cats are easier to take care of than dogs - that's for sure. I also have a crippled wild raccoon who I've tamed enough for her to eat out of my hand. She recently brought her two babies to see me too. No matter how bad I feel, knowing moma coon and her babies are in the tree waiting on me always motivates me to get and feed them.

I vote yes to a pet - after careful consideration of your situation and what you can accomodate the best - it will add alot of happiness to your life. :D
 
hi paddy,
i have 4 cats. they are my exercise. i also have 3 doors for them to choose from and they alway choose the one furthest from where i am. i have frienRAB with dogs so i get to play with them and not be responsible.
there have been many studies done using animals and people with illnesses. it has proven people with animals to be responsible for do better emotionally and physically.
have fun deciding,
peace,
blue
 
paddy, I have a dog, we just got her about a year and a half ago. We have always had a dog and when we lost our last one in 2003 I said no more dogs. I reallly meant it too! For some reason I thought braveman needed a pet to help him recover and all the docs said it was a great idea. We adore her, but she has changed our lives. More of my morning routine really. I get up in the morning and take her out right away, what I use to do was get up and get on my treadmill right away and do some exercise. I just had to work things out. I would say a cat if you don't like having something so dependent on you as a dog is.

Kirstee...we have a schnoodle. She is part schnauzer and part poodle. They call them designer dogs, but they are really just mixed breeRAB or mutts....giggle! Her mother was the prettiest little miniature schnauzer, she has the schaunzer coloring AND the schaunzer attitude. We call her sadie, but her name should have been sassy. She really likes to talk back.

Yes having a pet is good for our fibro cause they do get us up and going and thinking about something else besides our pain.

Glojer
 
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