The Importance of Doing Life

[MrsMarigold]

I have Lupus with increasing connective tissue pain as it wears down and osteoarthritis in hands feet hips. Pain is like many of us, never really gone; sometimes a shadow until later in the day. But so what???!

This is Chestnut. We call him Chessie. He is the 4 th pup. He joins Paddy, Clemmy and Teddy. He is the caboose. How people love to put me on the spot: why?????? Truly, to live, to love, to laugh hard. Everything I do for my dogs causes me to get up from my backside and do life! From potty training to bathing to walking to feeding. My joints ache but they move. Life is achievable by giving back to life. Happy New Year🐶MM

[Spanielmadlady]

Hi MM oh he is just gorgeous. I'm the same I have to get up every day to see to Hugo....he certainly keeps me going even when the weather outside is dire like today. I'm going to find it so hard when I have my ankle operation. Keep smiling xx

[MrsMarigold in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Hi SML. I have had 2 shoulder operations in last 18 months and more to come (injection nerve killing) on my lumbar spine. I know very well what you say. We improvise/ scoot on our rears to the outside door. Use a cane. I have a gated garden so I can let mine out. I hope you do too. My husband is a great help and I hope you have one or a devoted friend. But you know, it’s amazing what we can achieve by ourselves. Little Chessie is 8 lbs now and difficult to scoop up in my good arm. I grab a firm large pillow and gather him close then up as I slowly stand. A treat helps! So hope your ankle heals well. Best to you, MM

[Spanielmadlady in reply to MrsMarigold]

I have a walled yard I can let him out in and a large green space the other side of the gate but if he goes out there he thinks it's playtime and won't come in. I still have my youngest at home and I have friends who recently lost their dog who are going to help walk Hugo when I cant and son is at work.Hugo is 17 kgs so too big to scoop up but he is a good boy....most of the time lol xx

[dg70]

Gorgeous pup. I miss both my dogs and would love one but I know my joints and family living far away means I can't. I go round our area petting everyone else's dog but nothing beats a dog curling up next to you on a cold and windy day like today.

[MrsMarigold in reply to dg70]

Cats are nice too. I’ve had them all my life but my husband is very allergic. I hope there is an animal in your future. My sister adopted an older dog. She was 7 yrs old. Recently she died. My sister is having knees replaced and hoping to adopt an older, quiet dog again by summer. Just a thought. Happy New Year!

[silemoran]

So right move it or loose it I say

[dg70]

Same as you my husband and daughter can't be in the same house as a cat, rabbit or a non-shedding dog. I think if I did go for a dog again it would be an older non-shedding one, a puppy is too much for me now, I have a granddaughter and I love her but glad when she goes home, it's exhausting. Just don't know if I can go through the pain of losing another dog again. It just hurts too much. I will be a dog nanny to anyone that needs a break from their dog for a few days. I don't mind that at all!

[MrsMarigold in reply to dg70]

That sounds like a good plan. I know how you feel. I can handle my grandkids in bits. It was so hard to admit this truth of lupus. Puppy would not be possible without my husband. I have a dog door and they all let themselves outdoors when they want and when they need to “go.” I used to walk them but now they get so much exercise going in and out. They are non shed non allergic dogs. The breeder does this deliberately. They are a cross between King Charles cavalier and Bichon. Here animals rescue is huge. I know some couples who adopted Cavaliers about 4 years old. Happy New Year. 🎊

The rest of the gang

[dg70]

I have met a few cabichons and they are very pretty. I had 2 soft coated wheaten terriers and a bichon frise over the years. The bichon was always calm and stuck to my side. The wheatens were schizophrenic but fun. After 20 years of dogs I just thought its time to stop. Menopause and gradually worsening symptoms were making the last dog more of a struggle. It's handy they are small so you can have a dog door. Have a lovely time with your dogs weather permitting. I don't miss walking a dog in the rain and wind though.

[Pumpkin2009]

Mrs. Marigold, What a darling picture of Chessie and what a wonderful message for the New Year. Your attitude is truly inspirational. The love of our pets is such a blessing as well.

Healing hugs.