Does anyone else find that having dogs helps? I love my little Jack Russells and find their company lifts my spirits and gives me a routine.
I have fibro, IBS and diverticulitis and a lovely dollop of anxiety and depression to go with it but I try to not let my depression get me down....
Wanting to hear some other human experiences so I can feel a bit more belonging to this world again...
Anyone out there?
I don't have a dog any longer seriously considering a new addition, if you look through other posts you will see that yes, most of us are passionate about our pets, I think there is a pets corner on this forum. Lou xx
Yes there are alot of us out here probably some of them are struggling to make tea or wash up at the moment.
Yes dogs are tremendous we are hoping when we finally get to move into our bungalow that we will be able to have another Rescue dog. Our last one was a collie cross but as the vet said she is 98% Collie, not sure about the 2%! She was rather a handful for the first year but from then on was the best dog I had ever owned. Unfortunately, she had to be put to sleep when she was 16 as her arthritis became so bad that she could no longer lead the kind of life she loved. We still miss her now. We have tried filling the gap whenever we have been able by having peoples dogs for them whilst they have been on holiday or going away for family events so it has been from a little Collie Cross up to a rescue Lurcher all delightful in their on way.
Dogs seem to know instinctively when we are down and really suffering and even though ours was like a bottle of pop fizzing with energy if I was really ill (I used to suffer with bronchitis very badly) she would suddenly become all calm and loving and never leave my side until I was better. Mind you she used to bring the contents of her toy basket one by one upstairs in the hope of tempting me downstairs and out in the garden to play.
Quite a few of us have multiple health problems I have fibro, osteo, IBS and asthmas as my main ones and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish what symptom belongs to what illnness. Many also had no anxiety and depression until they had fibro as the illness can be very isolating and not knowing what is wrong with you can be very traumatic. The constant pain also gets everyone down. Look forward to reading more of your posts.x
I have a boxer and a toy poodle plus two tuxedo cats!! Love animals of all kinds! They are so truthful and honest with themselves and you about what they feel and when they feel it! Not sure that made since. I around animals of all types. It's odd but they trust me and I trust them. I mean them no harm and they don't harm me in return for the trust I give them. Name a type of animal and I am willing to bet it has curled up beside me and went to sleep!
Hi, I have a bull mastiff and I don't know what I'd do without him. He is always there for me what ever, he gives me cuddles and helps me get through when I'm upset and feeling down.
Pets, especially Jack Russells, seems to be able to tune into pain and emotions. If you check out one of my other posts you will see just how my friends Jack Russell used to lift the spirits of the patients in a local care home where my. mum spent the last days of her life.
Those wee dogs are simply amazing, you give him a big cuddle and a clap from me x😺😻
I have 2 cats
🐶🐶
I have 3 yorkies, 2 male and Molly.! They are all different, my 14 yr old male is a half brother to Molly, 12, then our baby Bertie, who is a rescue dog that was mid treated, he's 6. Wouldn't be without them, as the routine of walking them helps me to keep walking, and of course I have to actually get up to do that! 😄😄😄
I can't agree more- the routine is essential😊
I have 2 labrador retrievers. I find that they keep me company and I agree that they also give me a daily routine and a reason to get up every morning.
I count myself fortunate that fibro is the only illness I have, since having a change in medication my mind is a bit clearer (changed from pregabalin to gabapentin).
I think that dogs in particular seem to understand what I'm talking about lol.
I can see how they could help with your depression.
It is good to have human contact to help you feel part of a social group.
Sending gentle hugs to you and your jack Russell. 😁
Becky. X
I am delighted to read that your dog has made a positive difference to the way that you say that you feel. I do not have a dog but I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck.
All my hopes and dreams for you
Ken
I would be lost without my boys shadow and Murphy ,I don't know how I would of survived last year without them ,they gave me the only reason to get out of bed every day . Even my OT said they were good for me ,the only time they haven't been is when ATOS came to asses me . Then it was you can take care of them you can't be that bad ,they give me unconditional love they talk to me literally and don't give me a hard time. The only thing I don't like is the poo 😖😖 but you can't have everything I have dog walkers who are as dotty about my boys as I am .
My boys are my life line .
Shadow is a lab and Murphy is a beagle.
Chris
Thanks for replying 😊
Hi Sandy I have a really large Jack russell, the vet says he thinks maybe he's crossed...with a sideboard.
He's not as close to me as he is with our youngest son who needs him the most, especially when he's feeling anxious. He's a rescue, thankfully the lady who gave him up advertised him on a dog rescue page and he's been well brought up. thank goodness for our wee dog, he's been a godsend for the boy x
How lovely ☺
Hi I would not be without my dog! My labrador is kind caring sensitive soul. She has learnt to walk with me and every fourth step she looks up tp see If I am OK 
Going down steps she waits till I have stepped then goes past me check for traffic if there is she stops me moving. SHE IS MY GREtest love. x ginseng
I have two dogs and like you find them very comforting but at times when I feel really bad to much xxx
They are so loving and always there for you my husband works very long hours and without them I would be so lost.
I have now found happiness in this group the support has been amazing xx
Quite agree dogs /cats really are a godsend.my Labrador retreiver is my alarm clock gets me up at around 7am - pill time for him & me (zimber on metacam/gabapentin & tramadol). He of course focused on his belly !
My little JR cross falls in line loves giving me cuddles.
Zimber lies next to me when out of sorts & Tyson scrunches himself round my legs.
Zimber knows at 3.00 time for next drugs then teatime & bedtime drug round him & me.
Both rescued used to go for great wood walks which we all miss. Fortunately have a largish wild garden they love...lab has lumbar spine / vertebrae trouble just like his mum!!
Lots of hugs to all you lovely doggies and your caring homes.
Thanks for sharing ur story 😊
I so miss having dogs having slowly gone from six to losing the last this year. If I wasn't having to move home but not having found anywhere to move to yet, I'd have an Assistance dog by now. All my dogs have been rescues and have been amazing, all dogs are amazing and privilege us with their presence
I certainly find my dogs help me through the worst times. and hey presto one is a long haired jack Russell called meg, aged 4 years. the other is jack aged nearly 15. a mixture dog. he is so gentle, caring, loving the list could go on and on. he has helped me through many difficult moments in life. what are your jack russells names and ages xx
Thanks Moss is a boy and Sadie a girl
I think I will use a pic of them like u for my profile☺
hello,
well I guess my name alone gives me away in that I adore dogs all breeds and crosses. I have a scruffy grumpy yorkie x jack called cookie she is 8yrs and my daughters Chihuahua teddy 20mths old. I have owned whippets, whippet x in the past,all rescues.
my other dog dottie who is a 3/4 jack x 1/4 Labrador is now living with my sister as she adores her children and has oodles of energy I see them most weekends.
so in my unbiased opinion (lol) I believe dogs help us and can read our subtle body language far better than we realise.
for instance, 2 yrs ago cookie kept licking a certain spot on the side of my foot, happened to mention it to doctor and to cut a long story short it was in the last stage of changing to cancer. clever old girl knew x
I love my mutts! and guess you do too ha ha
definatly x
I find the dogs are great company. I have a boy and a girl, brother and sister. I did think I'd made a mistake a year ago getting two at the same time, so pleased we did now. They are close but seem to be happy to be apart for short periods of time. They still see their Mum and brothers occasionally for walks. I think it helps with meeting new people too, usually other dog walkers. They know when I'm having a bad day and will sit next to me off and on through out the day, more so than they normally would. Do you find the same with your two?.
Sorry about the late reply.
Becky. X
Fibro with depression
Pain Clinic this morning. Waste of time, energy & effort!!
