Not everyone's bag, I know, but I've noticed that several of us find real comfort in our pets. Forgive the scrawl ( tricky at the best of times on an iPad, even harder with swollen fingers). It reads "Pets can be a comfort, but there is a limit".
Having said that, I wasn't too thrilled by a not-quite-dead rat which my cat deposited on my bed earlier this week. I moved more quickly than I have done for months! from her perspective, it was a wonderful present, but yuk! jo
I used to have two cats, and grew to dread their gifts, especially if not quite dead!
They have both gone now, and I really miss them.
Love the pic!!! M x
I am sorry. Maybe you will feel able to get another at some stage. When I got my rescue cat last year, I resisted a kitten for fear of being tripped up or squashing it. Mabel was about 8 months old; still young enough to be fun, but old enough to be less vulnerable.
It's so true! I just got a golden retriever puppy at the beginning of this year and I find so much comfort in being with her and patting her. She has really be a saviour for my physical health, but especially my mental health. For anyone who has the time for a pet, I definitely recommend getting one, they'll work wonders on your well-being 
Absolutely. I got a small terrier when I had to retire and she was like an antidepressant. A real handful at first, so no time to feel down about life. I had to go out with her everyday for short walks on the common near us. Which meant I met lots of other dog walkers, a whole new friendship group.
On really bad days she always cheered me up. Lost her last year. She was only 9. Miss her dreadfully still, though we have a daft border collie now. Too much for me, but my husband has retired so he gets lots of exercise and I join in if its a short slow walking day!
Ah, I long for another dog, but in the meantime, my little rescue cat is very therapeutic. Sorry your terrier died so young. It's heart-breaking when we lose them.
Oh how I relate to this sketch Jo! We have a king sized bed & 2 of our not so small dogs love the warmth we & the quilt provide. A comfort at times but also a nuisance when we need to fight to gain some of the quilt they take because of them lying on top! Our German Shepherd has her own memory foam mat & satisfied with that, thank goodness!
That sounds like a wonderful bedful! I long for another dog, but couldn't cope at the moment.
They are work that's for sure & we really need a big garden for them at our next home, or rather the 2 younger ones, to be able to run silly in like they could at our last place. I can't lead-walk them anymore & feel so guilty as they really need proper exercise..... they get the zoomies round the house so obviously need to run freely. Maybe once you're properly sorted you could find a place to cope with one again. I hope so Jo, they can be such a comfort & having something that relies on you gives one a reason for getting out of bed! x
... In the meantime, I adore my little cat, Mabel. x
Oh I'm sure Jo, but they're free spirits compared to dogs. They'll be loved when they want to be loved if Mabel's anything like our Becky & Sadie were! My Freya (Pointer/Lab) is beside me now in the recliner, head on my lap & running in her sleep! Not a care in the world.
Bless her. You are right, cats are free spirits and their love isn't the same, totally unconditional sort that a dog can offer. Oh don't you make me broody! x
Sorry! 
You'll have a doggy again I'm sure. x
I don't know. I'm.70 and wouldn't want to leave an orphan! I suppose I could adopt an older dog, but I'm not well enough now. Xx
Give over! Never say never Jo & think of the kindness you'd be doing. I hope I'm not pushing it but I will say that the 2 of ours which are rescues are the best dogs we've ever had. I don't know obviously but as neither have ever done a thing wrong I'd like to think it's because they're so grateful for a loving & a happy home safe from whatever happened before in their lives. 
I've always had rescue pets. 3 dogs, 4 cats. it enhances one's pleasure.
You know then, of course! We'd never had a rescue until Perdi (G. Shepherd) camped outside our gates for a couple of days. After we lost her companion Mesha at 14 months Perdi pined so much she lost nearly all the weight we'd helped her gain so Annie (Ibizan Hound) was her new pal from the rescue centre who asked us if we could foster her. Obviously couldn't do that, I wouldn't have been able to give her away again!!
I so love this drawing Jo, my cat Mitzi is a huge tonic, especially when she is purring on my lap, really soothes my hand pain. You did make me laugh with your rat episode, your cat obviously thinks you need a hearty meal. I remember a hedgehog coming on to the hospital ward one night when I had hip surgery, you've never seen so many Rheumatoid patients move so quickly from their beds.
A hedgehog on the ward! That must be a first. I'm so glad Mitzi gives you comfort. My little Mabel is very important to me.
Mitzi and Mabel!!! They sound so cute together, sending you and mabel lots of love x
Love the picture. Miss my dog enormously, he was like a big cuddly bear x
Love the illustration.
I have a kitty, he is BIG TROUBLE getting into things and has been banished from my bedroom because he like to paw at my face in the middle of the night demanding his wet cat food. When Im feeling down and alone, he always comes near, like he senses i need him. My kid is grown and my cat is my 'Baby'....trouble and all....
I can relate to the rat thing...although my kitty brought home live mice and birds, birds he let loose in the house and would fly around smashing into walls trying to get out. One day it was a Robin, alive but fatally wounded and its mate was outside my window and somehow either heard it or saw it and was frantically squaking......I took the robin to the humane society, where im sure it was humanely euthanized.
The city I live in made a new by-law, no animals can be 'at large' no animal can be off a leash, it must be under the owners complete control at all times, or there is a big fine. This includes any domestic animal, including cats. My cat is semi-leash trained but doesnt particularly like it, but now its the only way he gets outside time (which isnt to often these days) he has to be content to stare out the window.
Your illustrations are brilliant, I just love the style you have, and this one in particular made me smile, so thank you Jora!
Love the illustration.
I have a kitty, he is BIG TROUBLE getting into things and has been banished from my bedroom because he like to paw at my face in the middle of the night demanding his wet cat food. When Im feeling down and alone, he always comes near, like he senses i need him. My kid is grown and my cat is my 'Baby'....trouble and all....
I can relate to the rat thing...although my kitty brought home live mice and birds, birds he let loose in the house and would fly around smashing into walls trying to get out. One day it was a Robin, alive but fatally wounded and its mate was outside my window and somehow either heard it or saw it and was frantically squaking......I took the robin to the humane society, where im sure it was humanely euthanized.
The city I live in made a new by-law, no animals can be 'at large' no animal can be off a leash, it must be under the owners complete control at all times, or there is a big fine. This includes any domestic animal, including cats. My cat is semi-leash trained but doesnt particularly like it, but now its the only way he gets outside time (which isnt to often these days) he has to be content to stare out the window.
Your illustrations are brilliant, I just love the style you have, and this one in particular made me smile, so thank you Jora!
Your illustrations remind me of the artist Quentin Blake somehow Jo - are you an admirer I wonder? I used to love reading books by Roal Dahl and others which he illustrated so beautifully with a lovely lyrical quality you also posses.
Our two are both poodle off shoots and so they don't really moult at all. They are complete stars and the girl dog has especially comforting lately when I've been unwell. She seems to know where to snuggle, how and when to lift my mood and to have a sense of when my toes are icy and need lying on!
Thank you Twitchy Toes. That's a real compliment. I see what you mean. I think the figure in bed looks especially Blake-like. It might be the wayward hair. I also love the work of Paul Cox. That's quite Adizionne-like. So you have two oodles. I'm so glad they give you such comfort. Jo x
Yes two oodles who we walked today in bright fleecy oodle coats which completely perplexed them but it's down to zero here temperature wise!
I was brought up with Edward Ardizone - my late dad adored his illustrations - did you ever have the nurse Matilda books or the Little Tim series or one called Diana and the Rhinoceros? Loved 'em all! X
Don't remember those, but have discovered more of his work through Paul Cox, a friend. I also admire Erik Blegvad. I suppose my favourite has to be Shepherd.
I love the joie de vivre of dogs when they are on a walk. Wish I had that!
Oooohhh pet on bed envy! Our dog is an extremely mucky pup, very hairy and we live in an area heavily infested with ticks. So the extra housework and risk of Lyme disease mean he's not allowed upstairs..... which we know is the sensible thing to do, but none of us like it!
Well, I'm sure it's the right decision. You really don't want Lyme disease as well. A friend of mine had that last year; very nasty. Enjoy your mucky pup!
I really don't know where I would be without my two k9 babies....I only had my Barney when my disease was out of control while I was waiting for funding to go on Bio's. I took it into my head that Barney was unhappy with me and would be better of with people who could walk him everyday and play with him. He spent most of his time under the sofa that I spend most of the day and night laying on. So I contacted the rescue centre where I got barney (By the way, thats my Barney in the foto) and arranged for him to go to a good home. It broke my heart to see him going but I thought I was doing the best for him. The next day the lovely people arrived back with Barney telling me that he cried the entire night! So back he came. A lovely man in the street agreed to take Barney out for me so that he could get his walks and that was really all he needed. He wanted to be with me no matter how I was feeling.
Since then I have another rescue dog, Kells. I am now on Bio's and so much better than I was so Kells and Barney, who is also rescued by the way, both get out every day and are very happy and healthy dogs. They sleep on the bed with me and it is both a comfort and a nuscience.....if I disturb them they gowl at me!
I honestly don't know where I would be without my two wee ones.......they give me 'the look' everyday that tells me to get off the sofa and take us to the park......but they lavish me with love and attention when I need it yet they know too when I really not well and they leave me alone......my advice is to get a pet, prefrubly a rescue pet, you will be bless forever.
What a selfless gesture you made, but you underestimated the loyalty of Barney. Very happy that Biologics are working so well for you and that you can now enjoy both dogs. Barney looks adorable. I've always had rescue pets too. Currently, it's Mabel who was thrown away when she had kittens. I resisted he kittens as my balance is so bad, but she is a little treasure.
thanks Jora.....yes you are so right aboutme underestimating Barney's love for me......juust can't imagine my life with them. X
Ha ha, aren't cats great? I miss mine, we had two not together but have since passed on. We have a rescue dog now who is cuddling in to me as not having a good day. They seem to sense when you're not well xx
I'm really glad that I posted that one as it has enabled so many of you to express appreciation of their pets. Gratitude is a very positive state of mind. I'm sorry for those of you who have lost beloved four-legged friends. Sadly, it's the price we almost inevitably play for loving them.
I love all the portraits you have painted ( with words) of your little friends, and thank you for the positive feedback on the sketch.
Well, I must go and feed my little rescue cat, Mabel. Jo x
Hi Jora,
love your pics. Fortunately my moggy is not a hunter (only for tinned tuna and then she'll hunt you down!)
Beverley (NRAS-Helpline)
Red light therapy works for me
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