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
9 Comments:
Hi Indie,
I am so glad to hear that your pets Jazz E. and Gracie and the 'nurse' Dutchess are sticking close by and giving you comfort and love while you are recovering from your onslaught of pain and illness. I am wishing all of you peace and recovery.
orangetabby
I had major back surgery in 2002. I was in a hospital 5 days and a rehap nursing home 10 days. Our adult daughter left her cat for my husband and I to take care of. That cat took care of me. I slept by myself, a heating pad, and the cat. The cat cheered me up by cuddling up, purring, and giving me so much love that it helped me to take my mind off of the pain. I agree that pets are the best medicine.
I know when I have a migraine that my girls (Dallas & Dakota Springer Spaniels) will always be there. Just them being there gives me such comfort. They seem to just "know" when I am in pain and lay low. Animals are a blessing. They want to be your biggest supporter. I wish us all a pain free day!
I am a pet sitter/boarder and have had the privilege of being a pet therapy volunteer with one of my client's Goldens in the short-stay Psychiatric unit of a mid-size hospital. Every visit was so rewarding to the patients, staff, Molson and me. Molson was even written up in the hospital newsletter after bringing a highly depressed teenager out of her darkened room into the lounge area to socialize with him and others. What an awesome inspiration that was! I fully understand what you have been through with your pet experiences and could not imagine not having a dog in my life.
Sue the Critter Sitter
Interesting
I love all animals. I don't know how the strays find us but we have had stray dogs and cats around our house for over 40 years.I guess they know we will feed them and be good to them. I have a mother cat and her 4 kittens and a half bull-bird dog living with us.Thank God for these strangers.
my 5 mos. old Maltese puppy makes my pain bearable. My animals love helps my chronic pain
Pets can relax you!
That's why we are blessed with the little creatures
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