Tagged: animals, emotional support animals, pets
- This topic has 28 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 5 months, 1 week ago by
Barbara Ford.
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July 23, 2022 at 11:00 am #24508
Ally
ParticipantI’m a big animal lover and have had cats and dogs all my life.
Do you have any pets? If you do, I’d love to know more about them. Has caring for them become harder due to your disease progression? Does your furry friend help you deal with your hard days?
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July 26, 2022 at 8:43 pm #24530
Krukar
ParticipantHi Ally,
One of the great things about returning home from Alaska was the greetings we received from our cats Tom and Jeri. Jeri our 3 year old kitten shows her love by biting. Tom the 11 year old Male licks to show his affection.
Both add a dimension to our lives.
When I was first diagnosed Jeri insisted I pick up my feet by lying in front of me. What does not kill you makes you stronger. Blessings, Mike -
July 27, 2022 at 2:51 pm #24535
Jeffery Hill
ParticipantFinding ourselves with time on our hands, and missing our last dog, we got a new one just as the March 2020 lockdown descended (coincidence). Our new Australian Shepherd, Poppy, has lots of energy, and we walk 10,000+ steps every day. She also loves frisbee, soccer and tug-of-war. This has helped me keep stiffness at bay.
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July 28, 2022 at 4:51 am #24536
Barbara Ford
ParticipantMy daughter and I share ownership of a highly intelligent Siamese named CoKitty. CoMom, CoBoo and CoBob are the names of his staff. He expects to be fed anytime some one is in the kitchen, demands a clean cat box, and will sneak out the back door if he catches it open.
He loves it when I stay in bed later than usual or take an afternoon nap. A pillow cave is his favorite place to sleep. We love our CoKitty.
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July 29, 2022 at 1:35 pm #24548
Ally
ParticipantHi Barbara, thanks for writing! Is it true that Siamese cats are very talkative?
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August 24, 2022 at 8:38 am #24759
Barbara Ford
ParticipantAlly, yes, our kitty is very talkative, especially when I am preparing something special for him to eat. It is so funny to have a conversation with him and to see him so happy.
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July 28, 2022 at 2:32 pm #24537
Bud
ParticipantHi everyone I have an 8 year old yellow lab. His name is Frank. He keeps me active he loves walking to the lake and swimming. Believe it or not when I get twisted up in a knot and can’t move. My wife brings Frank to me so I can touch him I instantly can move. I know this sounds crazy but it works every time. I have had PD going on 17 years. In the last year is when this getting stuck thing started . Frank my best friend. Hope your pet can do the same for you.
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July 28, 2022 at 3:59 pm #24542
Rick Tabakin
ParticipantI feel that having a four-legged, fuzzy pet (particularly a dog) is very advantageous to people with PD – PROVIDED THAT YOU ARE NOT ALLERGIC TO THEM. It forces you to care for another live being. It forces you to get up and walk it periodically. It’s also something to love and it returns loving and emotional support many-fold.
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July 29, 2022 at 1:37 pm #24550
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August 2, 2022 at 4:42 pm #24563
Marlene Donnelly
ParticipantMy husband and I have a 16 year old tuxedo cat named Zach who rules this house. We have had cats during most of our 53 years of marriage and have always felt we get so much more from our cats than we give them. We love Zach to pieces, and I have no doubt that being Zach’s maid only helps with my PD. If I’m feeling fine, Zach makes sure I do all of the things that need to be done for him. However, if I am having a rough day, he is there for me, giving love and attention like a caring nurse.
I have also volunteered one evening a week at my local (no kill) animal shelter for their kitties since 1994. Going there each week is the best! We usually have anywhere from 8 to 20 kitties, and my job is to feed moist food, make sure there is enough dry food out, refill the water bowls, clean the litter boxes, straighten up, and give love to the kitties. A friend of mine usually comes with me, and the shelter managers know I have PD and on very rare occasions I may need someone to fill in for me if I’m having a really rough day. Sometimes I come home exhausted, but it is worth it because I always come home happy!
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August 10, 2022 at 8:17 pm #24632
Ally
ParticipantHi Marlene, Zach sounds like a character! What a wonderful little guy. I also love that you’re a shelter volunteer. That must be so rewarding and fun. When I have more time, I would also like to volunteer at a local shelter. Does Zach mind when you come home smelling like other cats? (Asking because I have a kitty, too.)
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August 2, 2022 at 6:22 pm #24567
Tim Brindley
ParticipantI sure do wE have 7 rescue dogs and 2 rescue cats.
Deach has her (8) or his (1) unique mannerisms
WE love and cherish them all.
We donate $250.00 a month to our local no kill shelter AARP Mayer AZ.
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This reply was modified 6 months ago by
Tim Brindley.
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This reply was modified 6 months ago by
Tim Brindley.
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August 3, 2022 at 10:22 am #24588
Mary Beth Skylis
Keymaster7 rescue dogs!!! I have two, and they give me the run around. But I bet you’re never lonely.
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August 4, 2022 at 9:00 pm #24601
Tim Brindley
ParticipantNever.
I won’t have it any other way either. There love keeps me in a good frame of mind for sure.
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This reply was modified 6 months ago by
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August 2, 2022 at 10:34 pm #24578
Cynthia Johnson
ParticipantI have cats and totally ADORE them. They are great company and comfort, especially if I’m not having a great day.
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August 4, 2022 at 8:54 pm #24600
Marie
ParticipantWe rescued a beagle on June 4, after our beagle of almost 12 years succumbed to kidney disease. The house was so quiet without Lucy. She was so sweet, she never ever went upstairs, so when her water dish was empty she would bark from the kitchen. My husband and I would always say, it was her way of saying “hey, I’m thirsty over here.” Or sit next to the water dish waiting for someone to pass by. So after getting through the holidays, and winter, we really began missing a dogs presence in the home. It took more than four years between the beagle I brought with me into this my current marriage, and Lucy. So as my husband is the PWP, we would look for a new dog when he felt he was ready. And we would rescue this time. So one morning he showed me a picture, and said what do you think about this guy? I said he was cute. And then he told me he applied. After a long couple of weeks, we were approved. Now Marley’s bio said he was chill just like Bob Marley, and 2 1/2.. all wrong. He is just over one, and very active. But he is so cute and funny, and a love. And my shadow. He loves to zoom around the yard, treats, and his fence friend Petey. And while he has gotten my husband moving more, he takes the morning shifts so I sleep later. My husband has night terrors so I fall asleep after him to make sure his night meds have kicked in. And once this pea soup weather is over, I cannot wait to walk him again.. although this is the first beagle we have had that loves being out in the high humidity.. I hope he loves the snow, our previous beagles loved it!! I wish I knew how to attach a pic here to show a pic of our Marley..
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August 4, 2022 at 9:04 pm #24602
Tim Brindley
ParticipantMarie
one of our rescued dogs is a beagle and she’ll be 19 yrs old in October. She’s only barked 3 times in the 8 years we’ve had her. She love the rain and snow.
yes Arizona does get snow each winter as I live in Prescott and it’s 5484ft high where my house is.
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August 7, 2022 at 3:55 pm #24610
Ken Aidekman
ParticipantWe have Mooka, our seven year old Whippet. She has black and white spots much like a cow. Mooka helps me with my Parkinson’s by taking me out for daily 2 mile walks. I don’t know who enjoys the Walk more. Mooka gets all excited at the beginning pulling on her leash and sniffing everywhere. By the second mile she tires enough to walk along side me. Then on the homestretch she starts to drag due to all the hot weather.
Mooka is also a championship napping dog. I appreciate that because with PD I do a fair bit of napping and she keeps me company.
Ken
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August 9, 2022 at 2:46 pm #24618
Bill
ParticipantI share a house with my wife and two cats (Mac and Apple.) The cats have been with us about 2 years and are very affectionate and entertaining. Just like their humans, the cats have the particular set of behaviors, many of which, put a smile on my face or a chuckle in my throat. Each night as I get ready for bed and get my current book ready to read, Mac jumps on my chest and starts kneading my stomach and does anything he can to distract me and keep me from reading. If I push him further away from my face and start reading, in a few moments, his little tuxedo face/nose appears under my book as he reclaims his position on my chest/stomach. During this ordeal there is only one thing to do, laugh and tell him how much you love him and what a good boy he is. So, yes, I have two cats and cannot imagine life with a cat or cats. My wife loves them as much as I do and were I alone the care of the cats would be more challenging. The cat we had prior to these two lived for 20+ years and was also a delight.
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August 9, 2022 at 2:54 pm #24619
Bill
ParticipantI share a house with my wife and two cats (Mac and Apple.) The cats have been with us about 2 years and are very affectionate and entertaining. Just like their humans, the cats have the particular set of behaviors, many of which, put a smile on my face or a chuckle in my throat. Each night as I get ready for bed and get my current book ready to read, Mac jumps on my chest and starts kneading my stomach and does anything he can to distract me and keep me from reading. If I push him further away from my face and start reading, in a few moments, his little tuxedo face/nose appears under my book as he reclaims his position on my chest/stomach. During this ordeal there is only one thing to do, laugh and tell him how much you love him and what a good boy he is. So, yes, I have two cats and cannot imagine life without a cat or cats. My wife loves them as much as I do and were I alone the care of the cats would be more challenging. The cat we had prior to these two lived for 20+ years and was also a delight.
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August 11, 2022 at 7:30 pm #24646
Marla Klein
ParticipantMy husband and I never had any pets growing up once Herb was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and it began to get worse he kept saying he would like to have an animal I contacted a woman who helps place dogs that she can’t show with people with medical or emotional issues. We were not able to pick Oscar our Shitzu but after meeting snd interviewing us and knowing we were first time dog owners she decided to help us. She picked the right dog for us Oscar kept him for 4.5 months after he was born and made sure right temperament for Herbs needs. he has been a joy, living never barks or jumps trains easily and when Herb fell over a year ago he stayed by his side till help arrived. Kind loving knows when he needs to be close sbd I was very hesitant but I must confess I have gone to live our 14 pound 2 plus year old Shitzu Oscar and feel lucky to have him as our kids f sad o far away. My husband loves him so and it has helped him to have Oscar by his side.
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August 11, 2022 at 7:32 pm #24647
Marla Klein
ParticipantSorry about typos but I’m sure u get the idea of what I had to say
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August 11, 2022 at 7:45 pm #24649
Tim Brindley
ParticipantI make mistakes every post.
So do most others.
Don’t even fret one I -oh-da.
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August 11, 2022 at 9:03 pm #24650
Alan M
ParticipantHey Ally:
My three sons have three cats — in order of age —- Lucy (13), Nermal (11) and Mittens (6)
Their parents feed them daily, let then sleep on their bed, take them to the Vet when necessary, and ensure they are safe and well cared for.Wish I were a cat in our family.
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August 24, 2022 at 3:51 am #24755
Lamar Cartwright
ParticipantI adore pets. I have two cats.
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