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The Value of Having Pets
During the past couple of weeks since I came home from the hospital, I have been through a lot with the onset of cluster headaches arriving unannounced at various times during the day and night. They come on with little to no warning and the pain can be excruciating.
Needless to say, I have remained close to home during this time. During these past few days I have felt like the walls have been closing in and I want more than anything to get out and get back to the business of living. Even today - having had two headaches - doesn't stop my desire to get out and try my hand at living a life amongst the living. During those times when the goal of the day is to get from bed to chair, however, I am thankful for the enjoyment of my pets.
There is a lot to be said for the love of pets. I have two cats and the love of my husband's life, a dog named Duchess - a Rottie/Goldie mix. She seems to sense when I don't feel well and she sticks close by. Today, she has followed me from room to room and lays by my side quietly. Even though her eyes are shut if I whisper her name, she opens them and makes known she is aware. If I speak loud enough she lets me know she is more than happy to play if I want her to. And I know she is hoping that I do.
Jazz E and Gracie are my two cats and they are also very affectionate. Gracie is the one who just loves to be loved. She is gray with white socks and she can be a nuisance with her determination to be snuggled and cuddled. Jazz E is all black. He has a scaredy-cat personality. He comes close but only for a moment and then he stays at a distance. I love to watch the animals play. They are so cute. And they show such unconditional love.
Pets have been known to help people feel better. Health care facilities have been incorporating pet therapy for quite some time with great success. I worked in a skilled care facility for many years. We had a resident cat. It had its own bed and eating dishes and it stayed right at the facility all the time. Staff let it in and out as needed during the day. It sat on the lap of various residents and got lots of attention from others. It would go from room to room sleeping on resident beds and we would find cat toys in the strangest places! I encourage people who can have pets to consider having one. For their health, of course!
<Related Topics: Technorati Tags: pets, pet therapy, pain management, headache, health and wellness
Needless to say, I have remained close to home during this time. During these past few days I have felt like the walls have been closing in and I want more than anything to get out and get back to the business of living. Even today - having had two headaches - doesn't stop my desire to get out and try my hand at living a life amongst the living. During those times when the goal of the day is to get from bed to chair, however, I am thankful for the enjoyment of my pets.
There is a lot to be said for the love of pets. I have two cats and the love of my husband's life, a dog named Duchess - a Rottie/Goldie mix. She seems to sense when I don't feel well and she sticks close by. Today, she has followed me from room to room and lays by my side quietly. Even though her eyes are shut if I whisper her name, she opens them and makes known she is aware. If I speak loud enough she lets me know she is more than happy to play if I want her to. And I know she is hoping that I do.
Jazz E and Gracie are my two cats and they are also very affectionate. Gracie is the one who just loves to be loved. She is gray with white socks and she can be a nuisance with her determination to be snuggled and cuddled. Jazz E is all black. He has a scaredy-cat personality. He comes close but only for a moment and then he stays at a distance. I love to watch the animals play. They are so cute. And they show such unconditional love.
Pets have been known to help people feel better. Health care facilities have been incorporating pet therapy for quite some time with great success. I worked in a skilled care facility for many years. We had a resident cat. It had its own bed and eating dishes and it stayed right at the facility all the time. Staff let it in and out as needed during the day. It sat on the lap of various residents and got lots of attention from others. It would go from room to room sleeping on resident beds and we would find cat toys in the strangest places! I encourage people who can have pets to consider having one. For their health, of course!
<Related Topics: Technorati Tags: pets, pet therapy, pain management, headache, health and wellness
