My Happiness

[CecilyParsley]

Following on from Happy Tulips inspirational posts, these boys, Brodie and Dylan are my world. They never fail to cheer me up on my worst days and make me laugh and feel loved on my best days. My hubby and I love them so much and the joy they bring us is immense. Happy Friday 13 th everyone. I hope your day is happy and relaxed ❤️🐶🐶

[Kevin53]

Our cocker spaniel is called Tilly..... they are so friendly and mischievous.

[CecilyParsley in reply to Kevin53]

Yes such fabulous companions

[happytulip]

Look at those eyes. Oh, I wish I could get a dog but it just wouldn't be fair on it.

[Lupiknits in reply to happytulip]

I could look into those eyes all day. Such sweethearts

[CecilyParsley in reply to Lupiknits]

The one on the left , Dylan has a rare liver condition that has sent him totally blind. Last year was so hard because he had ear infections that we could not clear even under a dermatologist. He has had both inner ears removed. They said we should put him to sleep but he is such a happy, lovely boy we choose to fight with him. He is now the happiest, funny, loving little boy who loves life. We are so blessed with them. They are the children we could never have.xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to CecilyParsley]

Dylan and Brodie are both adorable Cecily. 😘 I’m sorry to hear of Dylan’s health problems but he is so lucky to have such a loving ‘Mum and Dad’ to look after him and make him the happy boy he is. Our pets certainly are the children we couldn’t have.💕 Couldn’t agree more! Hugs to you all. 🤗🤗🤗🤗

[CecilyParsley in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Thank you. We feel so blessed to have them. They healed my broken heart after the fertility treatment failed and I had to have a hysterectomy. I was in a bad place, working with families who abused and neglected their children and we, both social workers were unable to conceive. We had a little girl cocker Meg before these rambunctious boys and she was sick from a pup, a puppy farm dog. I loved her dearly but her autoimmune conditions mirrored my own and when she had to be put to sleep due to total kidney failure I was at the stage why can’t they do that for me. Grim really. Then we decided two puppies would help keep themselves entertained until my hubby came home to walk them and suddenly my joy knew no bounds. Bouncing, healthy, mad cockers helped me find my smile and they remind me every day that I am loved and needed and that is precious xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to CecilyParsley]

So true Cecily. They give unconditional love. 💕

I sympathise with your fertility problems. I miscarried 2 boys at 20 weeks and 22 weeks respectively (related to Lupus although they didn’t know that at the time) and then following a general pelvic infection I couldn’t conceive. I trained to be a primary school teacher and enjoyed the relationships I formed with my pupils and their parents especially in small rural schools.

We tried IVF before I turned 40 but I didn’t have enough eggs left then. Then because I suffered with depression I couldn’t be considered for fostering or adoption. 🤦‍♀️ Our pets over the years, dogs, cats and finally the 2 budgies, have been our children. 🥰 It breaks our hearts when they pass on but life without having had them at all would have been so empty.

Sorry to hear about poor Meg, but I’m glad you now have the love and affection of Dylan and Brodie. Hugs and best wishes, 🤗🤗😘

[CecilyParsley in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Sending you big Cwtches. I am 58 now but childlessness still hurts doesn’t it? Not just no children but no grandchildren. Like you we decided to adopt. We wanted a sibling group as my husband grew up in a very abusive care system and never saw his seven brothers and sisters ( at 67 he has gone to two of his sisters funerals, his one brother has dementia, one we have failed to find and the rest have passed without him meeting them). I was not diagnosed with Lupus but having lots of health issues. When the social worker from the adoption team visited I had an abscess on my hysterectomy scar, had piled on weight from months of high dose prednisolone for my asthma, had fallen breaking my nose, smashing my front teeth out and cracking my knee cap. She promised fast track assessment as we both worked for the local authority, Neil as a child protection social worker and myself as a manager of a children’s home. A month later she wrote saying that my health and weight were not conducive to adopting children. The depression was so overwhelming I gave up. I am so fortunate to have the most wonderful husband and two gorgeous fur kids who are my world. Xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to CecilyParsley]

I am 65 this year, and yes childlessness does hurt.🥺 The worst thing is when some people think they are consoling you by saying something like”They are more trouble than they are worth.” Or “They bring a lot of worry with them.” Perhaps, but they also bring a lot of joy. What is Christmas without children?

I’m sorry to hear what you and Neil went through and how you were rejected on such despicable grounds for adoption.😳 I am staggered they made that decision given what your experience was with children and social work!! My heart goes out to you both. I’m so pleased you both have such loving furry kids now. 🥰

Hubby and I had hoped to travel more now we are bother retired so we decided not to get a new member of the family after we lost Eros until the travelling is all over. But now Coronavirus has put a stop to that and my health continues to deteriorate a little more every year, perhaps we’ll have a change of plan. 🐈🐕 We’ll see how it goes. 🤗😘

[CecilyParsley in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Oh yes that sounds hopeful. Any new additions must be posted, it’s a rule lol. Yes I actually had to stop working at the children’s home and took roles managing front line child protection because I was no longer able to hold my emotions in check with direct work after we got turned down. I loved my job and I miss it and I miss being effective and contributing to society. We could have made a sibling group so happy I am certain of that. I really do hope you get a furry or feathered addition to your family xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to CecilyParsley]

Thanks Cecily, I’ll definitely follow the rules and if we have an addition to the family I’ll post them! 😂 Promise! 🥰

You and we too could have provided such a good and loving home for a sibling group. Why they rejected us is beyond my understanding.🤷‍♀️

I miss my job too - well the contact with the children, not the paperwork! 🤣

Keep well Cecily. 🙏🏻 I’ll keep you posted re our family growing or not. 🤗😘

[Hidden in reply to Spotty-ewe]

Or perhaps you’ll have a change of health Spotty and can pursue your travels! Here’s hoping🙏.

[Spotty-ewe in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Brook. I hope you are right. 🤞🤞

[Krazykat26 in reply to CecilyParsley]

Awww bless ya CP 🤗💜

U have soooo much love to give!! N there r sooo many children in need of being cared for!! It's awful!!

Your boys r adorable 🐕🐕n I'm glad that they give u love n happiness every single day..fur kids..I love it!! 😹😹😽😽Xx

[CecilyParsley in reply to Krazykat26]

Thank you so much. Xx

[CecilyParsley in reply to happytulip]

Have you got friends or family that could let you visit their dog? Or even visit a rescue? Just spending time with those dogs would mean the world to them and brighten your day too xx

[happytulip in reply to CecilyParsley]

It's a bit difficult to get out and about at the minute but I will look into it. There is a rescue centre nearby.

I just can't come home with one!

[CecilyParsley in reply to happytulip]

Maybe they could bring one to you for a visit? Dogs are the best therapy. If I win Lotto I will have a house full and good dog walkers lol xx

[GlasgowHen]

Oh look at those eyes and ears. Beautiful dogs. I have a couple of dogs and they are my antidepressants. I adore them

[CecilyParsley in reply to GlasgowHen]

Post your photos too. Just what we need to brighten our day ❤️

[Wendy39]

They look adorable!

I’m very very allergic to dogs and so we don’t have one.

My daughter had a very frightening experience on the beach aged 3, with a friend and her mum. 4 dogs ran onto the beach where they were playing, knocked both girls over onto the sand and stood over them. Both were quite traumatised. My daughter is very wary of dogs even now.

But we know lots of people with dogs and she is slowly getting better. Now, if she is used to the dog, she will stroke and cuddle.

Some people say the best way to get over a fear of dogs is to get one. It would have to be hypoallergenic for me though.

She’s currently got tropical fish! 🐠 🐟 But they can’t be cuddled.

xx

[CecilyParsley in reply to Wendy39]

Oh what a shame Wendy. Are you allergic to dogs such as cocker poops or labradoodles that dont shed? I loathe irresponsible dog owners. A family in the next street to us has a very large boisterous rescue dog. Four times he has attacked my boys. Can you imagine the fear as Dylan cannot see him coming. The police did not want to know and the owners son threatened to head butt my husband. The last time the dog knocked my husband to the floor to get at our boys. My husband was winded, a cracked rib and he had hit his head and scraped the skin off his arm. The owner stood over him laughing. At last the police came out. He was told keep it on a lead at all times or we go to court. We are animal lovers we certainly do not want the dog put to sleep, it is the fault of the owners. I really hope your daughter gets over her fear. Loving dogs is wonderful xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to CecilyParsley]

That is awful Cecily. 🥴 You’d have thought the dog rescue centre would have assessed the family better than that, and do a spot check or two! 🤷‍♀️ As they say there aren’t any bad dogs just bad owners and that family is a prime example of that. Your poor hubby being knocked over and hurt like that. I hope he’s oaky now. 🙏🏻 You’ll need to acquire a tazer!😂

[CecilyParsley in reply to Spotty-ewe]

He was lucky I was not with him or I would have been arrested for rapping my stick around his head. Yes hubby is fine now but my boys stress terribly is they come across a black and white dog xx

[Spotty-ewe in reply to CecilyParsley]

I’m not surprised they are stressed when they see a similar dog. My dog Murray who was a rescue pup (found roaming the streets where he’d been dumped at 5 weeks old) was a good natured boy until he was half grown and was attacked by a greyhound whose owner (a tough young man) had urged him to do so. Both Murray and I were traumatised and hubby phoned the police. They knew the young man in question and said they’d speak to him about getting a collar on his dog and having a lead with him, but they didn’t expect it would really help. Then Murray was attacked by a large Labrador with a girl of about 9 years old on the other end of the lead - no adult in sight.🤷‍♀️ She couldn’t control the dog and although I picked Murray up the dog was still having a go at him. I hit him with the handle end of my lead and eventually managed to get him away from us. But it left Murray traumatised again. After that he started growling whenever he saw another dog and it often led to squabbles between him and the other dog. Such a shame when he’d been perfectly friendly and sociable until these attacks.

I’d have been like you and attacked the man who had knocked over and injured your husband. 🤺 But it should have been him who was arrested for assault and GBH! 🤷‍♀️ Strange justice system we have in this country! Take care Cecily 🤗😘

[misty14]

They're adorable Cecily , thanks for sharing. Hope your feeling a little better. Xx

[CecilyParsley]

Thank you so much misty, no funny turns so far today 🤞🏻and I even have a rhubarb sponge pudding in the oven and homemade custard just cooling to thank my hubby for all that he does for me xx

[MEGS53]

Awwww, so totally gorgeous! Bet they give lovely cuddles. xxx

[CecilyParsley]

Yes they do. They hog the bed, shed hair everywhere, leave paw prints all over the floor, lick visitors to death, get excited to go out and get in the car . They fill our lives with so much joy and love and both have such different personalities. I cannot talk about them without smiling. Such affectionate boys. The advice is to wash your hands each time you touch your dogs and don’t let them lick you 😱. I would be living in the bathroom and their slobbers make my day xx

[Ieuann133]

Fabulous ... I have two rescue pooches, they are right next to me as I type thos, snoring away and oblivious to the chaos that surrounds them.... much love to you all 😊😊

[CecilyParsley in reply to Ieuann133]

Post their photos Ieuann. The world needs more gorgeousness ❤️