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Coping with age & serious illness. Anyone positive want to share?
Aging Well | Last Active: Apr 17 9:27am | Replies (120)Comment receiving replies
@methel There’s an organization, Paws with a Cause, that trains service dogs for this purpose. Application begins at the beginning of the year and I don’t know if we would be chosen. I would only be doing this as a benefit to my husband (even though I love dogs) as I would prefer to keep life simple at this point.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
Replies to "@methel There’s an organization, Paws with a Cause, that trains service dogs for this purpose. Application..."
@cmdw2600 in NYC, Puppies Behind Bars provided some nice dog time for both of us…prisoners rehab themselves by training dogs, who are then brought to the city, where volunteers take them around to cheer up seriously ill people and their caregivers. Loved those pups !
@cmdw2600 After excellent health my entire life and being active (hiking, swimming, agility with my dog; recently - with Silver Sneakers - going to my Y 3/x wk), last January (age 71) I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. A year later I’m done with surgery and treatment and planning to live my best life!
My comment is about owning a dog/s. We have 2, just regular spoiled little guys (10 lbs and 20 lbs, both rescues; ages 13 and 5), and I cannot imagine life without them. They add immeasurable joy to my life! They are a responsibility but that’s also good for me, they really set our schedule and give me something to do. But not overwhelming - feed 2X/day, let out periodically, pet often! And there are dogs that are couch potatoes and are happy to just sit next to you all day. We travel often, and after some searching we now have 2 wonderful reliable sitters - our dogs LOVE going to their vacay place, having pets does not limit our getting out and about.
I could go on but this gets the idea across.
It is important to have someone who is willing to take your pup, if he/she outlives you. Or if just adding a pet, adopting an older pet is so uplifting - he/she may not be with you as long, but the love and companionship you receive is daily and boundless.
I plan to never be without a dog, luckily have family members who would take any pet if we aren't here for them.
Ha, ha, yes, I am a diehard dog lover, I say often ‘there is nothing like a dog’.
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@cmdw2600
Someone on this board who responded to me earlier (I don’t remember their name) actually has trained dogs for these types of things. Hopefully they will see your postings and respond to you. They sounded as if they could be a valuable source of information. (I’m just a canine lover; grew up with a dog, have always had at least one dog; have loved and lost many dogs, but not a professional trainer or veterinarian. )