What Pets Can Do: Health and Healing

What a great group/thread! I have had and have helped train service dogs until my health required me to stop training. I can say for sure that animals - and I mean ALL creatures, from pet crickets to lizards to horses and more - almost always make us feel better physically and emotionally. I am both mom to and child of my current diabetes/COPD medical alret service dog. (I even have named my plants.)

@kamama94 Service dogs are amazing. I knew a lady who ran the Canine Companions for Independence Chapter in my state and her dog gave lots of public demonstrations. She described herself as 'handi-capable". My family helped a lot with fundraising activities throughout the years. That is cool that you trained these dogs and you made a significant contribution to help make the lives of others better. Good for you! .... and thank you for your service to others.

@kamama94 Whew! I don't feel so alone. I name vehicles, plants, the scrub jays who come to visit me while out working in the yard. The deer are "Bambi" or "little Bambi". I am constantly talking to them, carrying on sane [to me, anyway!] conversations. Everything has an energy.

Thank you for helping others by training dog's for service!
Ginger

I have always had pets up to 2yrs. ago. I am so torn about getting another pet because when they pass, I take it so very hard. I want another pet, but I don't want to put myself through another loss. Thoughts?

We lost this guy to Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday. He was one month from being 16. He was diagnosed with lymph carcinoma a month ago. It hurts, no doubt about it. I think about the memories attached to him and it is rough but at least I have them. He was a wonderful shelter. We have another shelter who is 4 and I try to focus on him.

@suzanne2. Just breaks my heart

Hate auto correct! We have a sheltie and lost a sheltie!

@tjgisewhite Tammy, I go through what you’re going through every time we lose a dog. My husband and I have been married 26 years and only had 3 dogs. The first 2 we had at the same time, one lasted to 16 and one ‘til 14. I said I couldn’t handle the pain again but we were missing a furry companion. After 6 months we rescued a Dobie from Missouri ( we live in WI). He is 13 and starting to slow down. I know the pain will be unbearable and am trying to enjoy this time as much as possible. I am dating myself but if you get a chance listen to Led Zeppelin’s song Bron y Aur Stomp. It is Robert Plant singing to his dog Stryder “When your eyes are old and dim... ain’t nothing like a blue eyed merle”. It brings tears of joy and sadness to me. I believe the pain is worth it but it is a tough choice. Listen to your heart and let it guide you. Jen

Barnabas was my first service dog. At his vet checkup, she said he was in excellent condition at 9 years. That week I let him out to do his nightly business and didn't come when I called him. I found him unable to get up or do anything else. I rushed him 50 miles to a 24 emergency vet. He had had a stroke or some other brain event. I think that the unexpected suddenness made it extra hard.

I was at the hospital one day and a woman approached us and asked if I would let her paint a portrait of him. She painted with pencils. This is the result. After she entered it in the fair she gave it to me and it hangs in our family room.

Jim

Thats wonderful!