May 21, 2016

Greetings My Friend, I remember reading when I was younger how animals help the elderly emotionally. I thought it was sweet, I have always loved animals so I semi related to the article. A few years ago I was depressed and confused about what was going on with my body, with the extreme fatigue and clumsiness I was experiencing and I decided I needed a dog to help me focus on it. Daisy filled the bill. She weighs less than 10 lbs and I can carry her wherever I go. I need to make sure she gets outside to do her business which means I have to get up out of my chair to get her to the door. She has indeed awakened in me the desire to get up and moving again. My emotions came under control with medication and slowly I regained some of my energy. I don't think I will ever fully get rid of chronic fatigue, at this point I am able to manage it. Brendy came to us when Alex and Blanko died. She is not a substitute for them, she does take the deep sadness away. Recently Chiari got ran over by a car and died so a few weeks later we went to the pound to rescue another dog. Harley is now a part of our life. He has major skin issues that needs special attention. He is friendly seeking to please and he was not good with touch. Junior has been working on his skin problems and brought them under control. The cause of his skin issues is a birth defect he was born with which means he will always need vigilant care. Now that his skin is not so sensitive he loves his belly rubbed and having his ears scruffed. Junior and I are loving these animals and the care they need. They are our little family. Their excitement when we come home is astounding to us. When we have company over they behave too which feels like we are doing a good job of raising them. That article I read all those years ago has proven right on. We need to have a family to raise and love on. Most seniors don't have a brood of pets like we do. We started our family of strays quite by surprise until now we never owned more than 2 animals at a time. Out here we learned that animals do not last long at the pound. We recently found out that an organization rescues animals so we won't feel so compelled to keep every stray that comes along. With 9 acres our dogs have plenty of room to roam which means we do not need to exercise them. Little Daisy gets plenty of exercising running around the house although she wanders out to the yard and suns herself from time to time. The doggy doors means we are not letting all of them in and out constantly. Junior is good with keeping the floors cleaned and their fur swept up and the air filters we have help some more for my allergies. Our fur family also helps keep our minds active with their training and care as well. I am learning that my disorders Chiari Malformation and Ataxia are progressive. I was reading on an Ataxia site where at first the declines were yearly to every few years and then there comes a time they start to happen more frequently. I have been in a changing situation for a little while and I think I have leveled out again. These pets have helped me emotionally and I see how they are protective of me. When I was wandering around the yard Val would always stay close to me. I notice that they take turns staying in the house when I am in the house too. One of the dogs is always on guard not just for danger outside the home but for me inside as I move around. That watchful eye is a comfort. Sometimes I worry about Junior when he is working with the equipment outside that he may hurt himself and I won't know. Today I realize that I will know because just as the dogs are watchful over me they too are watchful over Junior and if he hurt himself and could not get up I know they will make a fuss until I get to him. We are grateful for our fur children and the loving they bring us. May God bless you and keep you make His face shine on you. Love Janet