Thought I would post a foto of the wee woman. This is my Kells. She is 3 now and is also a rescued dog. I got her to foster until she was rehomed but I fell in love with her so Barney and I adopted her. Nomore heels and I talk about dogs often and about how important they are to to us. I told 'heels' today that I really don't know where I would be right now if I hadn't these two to make me get up, get dressed and go for a walk, no matter how long or short but to get out for fresh air and to ease my head for 15 minutes or so.
There were times when I simply could not move the pain in my body was so bad, they were able to sense these times and just lay beside me, keeping me warm and waiting until it passed even if it lasted for days which it did when my disease wasn't under control.
Anyone who has an animal for a companion will know this. When there was no one else there to stand by me I had them. Never in my life have I known such loyality from another human being. I do have some very good people whom I can turn to in an emergency but the love and concern I get from these two wee strays is on a different level altogether.
I would love to hear from anyother RD sufferers who have four legged companions who just keep giving love for so little in return. I don't know what my two's back grounds intailed but the were both in terrible condition when I got them but it is truely amazing how forgiving animals can be after being treat so, so very badly by the human race.....we could all learn from them.........I'm going on a bit......I tend to do that......would love to hear others stories. XX
Written by
Jeanabelle60
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
24 Replies
•
Hello Jean
I have a rescue dog,known as Pax.
When He was five weeks old He was left on an Irish ferry and transferred with His Brother to Darlington Dogs Trust. We got him at ten weeks and now He is one of the friendly dog around here as we live out in the country. He is a Welsh Collie Cross so He is slightly bigger than a Border Collie. He is jet black with a white cross on his chest. We think the world of Him and He is very much able to know when either of us have any sadness etc. Our last dog was a Jack Russel Cross and was a Pat Dog in Mental Health Day Centre so now we just love to feel Pax around as we felt so lonely when we lost Pip
Oh Bob, I know just how devastating it can be when a much loved companion dies, I've been through it a few times but I always stay with them and talk to them until their wee hearts stop. I make sure the last thing they hear is the voice of someone who loves them, its the least I can do after all they years of love I have gotten from them.
Rescues are the best aren't they? They know they are loved from the beginning and that you are giving them a second chance.
Jean, I wrote a longish reply earlier & only now realised it's not here. I'll try again tomorrow, don't have it in me just now, ami has taken affect. x
Oh Yes! Your utterly adorable Kells looks rather like my second rescue dog,Finzi, who was the love of my life. I still miss him 15 years later. I thought of getting another dog, after about a year, but I had to give up driving because of my eyesight. That doesn't sound relevant, but it is - Not to leave a dog in for any length of time, but to get him to big open spaces in London, like Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park and to drive into the country. And then two rescue cats wandered into my life. I lost both of those before I developed RA. Once the condition was under control ( to an extent) I really needed ( as opposed to just wanted) another companion. I'm not well enough for a dog, but Mabel is the most affectionate, funny, clever little cat I have ever had the pleasure of being owned by. I think she must have 10% dog in her as she is obedient which is a quality I've never seen in a cat before! She is very pretty, too. Having her snuggled up to me is amazingly therapeutic. I don't have to exercise her ( I have a big garden with lots of trees), but getting downstairs to feed her and open the cat flap is my early morning challenge.
The Rainbow Centre where I get my doggies have a catery too, such beauties....Mabel sounds just perfect for your needs....send a foto if you can. All the best and thanks for the reply. Take care. XX
I should have added that I only ever have rescue animals. There are too many abandoned dogs and cats longing for a forever home, and I wouldn't want to encourage puppy or kitten factories. They all seem to be so grateful for the adoption that this strengthens the bond. Mabel came from Hounslow Animal Welfare Society. If I die before her, they will take responsibility for finding her another loving home, though several of my friends will be clamouring to have her!
Jora, you are so right about adopting instead of buying from breeders who at the end of the day are only i it for the money. When I'm at the Centre it breaks my heart to see such wee dogs and cats that have so much love to give. I don't get to the Centre as often as I used to but I still do collection at the big pet shop near me......they are so good they always get me a chair to sit on......so there I am with my high vis jacket and my yellow bucket....a costumer told me once that I was like a yellow canary sitting on my perch!!
I have 3 dogs, Max is a Yorkie and will be 16 next month I've had him since he was a puppy. Just over a year ago I adopted Seren, a Yorkie, who was thought to be around 6 years old and had been in a cage on a puppy farm in some dank dirty hole all of her life being bred from continuously. She was so frightened of absolutely everything, these ex breeders have sometimes never seen daylight, never been touched by a kind hand, don't know about being in a home how to climb stairs, house training, everyday sounds like a washing machine would send her into a frenzy of panic, and I lost count of the times that she tried to crash through the patio window running away in panic when I walked in her direction. She hid under furniture and in the garden for weeks, I had to leave food and water in the garden for her as she wouldn't eat or drink when I was around. I have never seen such a poor wee damaged creature.
Max was her saviour, ex breeders quite often are fine with other dogs just not humans, (it wasn't other dogs who brutalised them) Max is a beautiful soul so kind and gentle, Seren soon started to follow him around like a shadow and slowly began to learn about warmth and comfort, good food, and that some humans can be gentle and kind.
Three months later I adopted Ziva, an ex breeding Llasa Apso who was thought to be around 3 years old, the vet had told me that Max only had a few months to live as he had kidney failure and a grade 5 heart murmur (stupid vet, max is still running after a ball and is amazing for his age) but I knew that it would crush Seren to be alone.
Ziva was a whole different story, similar in that she'd never lived in a house so it took a while for her to negotiate stairs and realize that she was barking at her own reflection in the window etc. it was as though she had been freed from her terrible life of having litter after litter of puppies and now had the chance to be one herself.....she is mad as a box of frogs, absolutely hilarious, naughty and cheeky and full of the joys of her new life and freedom......she even taught Seren to play !!
All of this time I have struggled at times with RA, side effects of RA drugs, we all know how difficult it can be, on the days that I felt I couldn't get up, I did, I live alone and they still have to be looked after and walked,........ if they only knew that they are the ones who have rescued me at times. You only have to look at them to know that even though they were dealt a terrible hand in life they seem to be mostly able to live in the moment and be happy with the simplest things, and when I think of Seren frightened and alone in a dirty dark cage for 6 years of her life it certainly helps to take the edge off whatever I'm going through at the time.
If anyone is interested this is a link to the rescue who saved Seren and Ziva, it's called Many Tears....
II'm sitting here and tears are running down my face, what a beautiful story....you spoke my feelings exactly. My Kells was a mess when I got her. She was matted, shaking, vomiting, peeing and pooing all at the same time, the wee thing was just 7 months old, heart breaking isn't it? The first time I put my downturned hand to her she snapped at me. I had to sit on the floor (you can imagine what that was like!) talk gently and just wait for her to come to me, which she did about an hour later.....we are connected at the hip ever since.
My Barney still runs for under the sofa in bad weather. Heavy rain, loud rain terrifies him for some reason. When he comes out he just wants to snuggle up to me for lots of 'nosies', this is where I wiggle my nose up agains his, he just loves it. They are just like babies aren't they? Thanks so much for your reply and for adopting your three very, very lucky wee one's. XX
Morning Jean how nice to read all about your dear pets lovely story. Since I lost my husband my 2 little dogs make me go out and get up in the morning Rose
I'm sorry to hear that you have lost your husband. You have discovered what many of us know and that is the loving, unconditional love that come from a pet. All the very best Rose and take care. XX
What lovely stories and beautiful dogs. My first dog was a westie Jack Russell cross, Jodie was a darling. I honestly beleive if I had not had her I would not be as active as I am now. You have to go out and they understand the days when walkies will be cut short and are happy to give cuddles. We took on a rescue Westie that Jodie adored but we sadly lost Jodie when he was 18 month. For all our sakes we went and got Tottie who is nearly 13. We now have Keegan who is 3 now. I enjoy going to do dog training but it is hard with a small dog all the bending. Val Strong who set up Support Dogs in Sheffield helped us with ways round training, she was great. She also taught Max to use his paws and play cards. She also did training with getting washing out of the machine. He had a problem with running off with underwear so we didn't continue. I have taught Keegan to take socks off though. It is very useful but you cannot sit in the house without footwear on because your socks will be off.!
I would never be without a dog they are certainly the best medicine and give so much love.
Hilarious, it is really funny when they are so playful....I used to have a wee dog Boss who would pull at the laundry basket to the floor and would take my knickers out one by one an take them to his space under my bed. I had to use the hose on the hoover to get them out.....eventually he would have them all back there again......he loved the game. Thanks for your reply, vry funny. X
Such a lovely photo and such a characterful face! As many of you will know, I work on the helpline, and don't have RA, but thought I'd also comment, as I agree that our four-legged friends do so much to enhance our lives!
I have a rescue dog too, a Staffy-cross named Daisy who is lovely. My previous dog was also a rescue dog and a different kind of Staffy-cross. I love all dogs, but have a particular soft-spot for rescues as there are so many in need of homes. I know not everyone feels they can take on a dog with a potentially bad history and the issues that can bring, but we've not had any problems with ours and they've been amazing companions!
There is a man who walks three Staffies everyday in the park....it is really unfortunate that they get such bad press. I thinks its because they are so strong. This fella three would knock you over if they came at you at the same time....I'm the 'treat' woman in the park and all the regular dogs just charge after me when they see me......like most onn here I just love all animals.....sometime more than a lot of human I've come across!!
I have JRA, and am legally blind due to Juvenile Uveitis and Glaucoma, and I can truly say without my adorable 1 year old Golden, I probably wouldn't be here, and if I was I would have zero happiness in my life. She's my everything - my whole world! She doesn't care if my eyes look funny, she doesn't look at my differently because I'm not like everyone else - she just loves me unconditionally. She too senses when I'm in a lot of pain. Even though she's a big girl, and an energetic pup, when I'm so sore and can't move, she will lay on the couch with me and just snooze next to me. It's so nice to meet someone who appreciates animals as much as I do. You might be interested in my last post - an adorable picture of my fur baby Have a lovely weekend!
Thank you so much Nat for your reply. There are many wonderful people with good souls and big hearts who have discovered just how much love an animal can give to a caring human. There so many of us who have experienced a very special connection with our beloved pets, especially rescued pets. Your a remarkable person that even with all of your difficulties you still have so much to give back. Golden was meant to go to you. Thanks for your reply and for sharing your story with the rest of us. Take care. XX
For some reason, this whole thread went to my Junk folder. I've only just found these heart- breaking stories. I can't write more fully as I'm in a very bad way, barely able to move across the bed. But thank you so much for posting them. Jora
Just joined. I have been diagnosed with RA after a few years of various investigations.
I live in Kells, and also have a lovely dog. Sure been a dog owner for over 20 years, they are truly Gods helpers on four paws. Nothing compares with their love. I totally get the sentiments. It's great that we can share our love of animals here, as they are the reason we get out of bed - most mornings!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Rose
Wanted.......tips and pithy one liners to deal with the perception that I'm lazy and unhelpful!
Ignorance and loneliness
Safety First...
My poor feet....and my little red miracle machine!!!!
