I was pleased as punch to read an article that covered how some hospitals are [finally] opening their visitation policies to pets, like Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Mayo Clinics in Rochester, Jacksonville and Scottsdale as well as in my home state at the University of Maryland Medical Centers. [See: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/780338_5?nlid=28991_1049] As a nurse and lover of animals, this choice is a wise one.
Those of us who have pets, more commonly than not, consider them part of our immediate family. We appreciate how they fill our lives with unconditional love and devotion—frankly traits we wished we saw more frequently in our human family. They seem to understand our moods (good and bad) and stick close to our sides when we are feeling bad and not at our best. Research has shown how they help lower blood pressure, decrease our stress and often help us heal.
I was reminded of this last week after I tripped over a dog toy and fell on the floor—twisting my ankle. Oh, boy, did it hurt and was I scared that I might have broken my foot. As I yelled for my brother to fetch me an ice pack as I sat on the floor, my 3 labs stayed close by. Their heads were low (did they know I fell because of where someone dropped their toy?) as they strategically placed themselves around me. When I made the first attempt to get up and try to walk, they stayed close by.
Over the next few days, they were less rambunctious and less demanding for play. My oldest lab, Miss Independent, lay next to me on the sofa as I iced, wrapped and elevated several times a day –which she rarely does. I felt protected and cared for– did they know? I think they did. Now, I am back on my feet, not limping and the swelling has gone down. They are back to nagging to go outside for ball toss.
Over and over, I have heard about how someone’s pet has helped them cope with illness and pain. They are remarkable stories, much more profound than mine. Do have one to share?
I just felt that I should share an update on my Nona–she took her last breath around 9:30 ET on June 3 as I lay beside her on the cold, hard floor at the vet office. Her head was cradled in my arms while I told her through the tears of how much I loved her and how grateful I was that she became my baby girl. The vet cried with me.
Nona could barely walk into the vets and she collapsed on the floor of the exam room. She did not move again–not even when the needle went into her vein. She was ready–she was no longer fighting to stay just to please me. Gently as her sweet soul, she relaxed and took her final breath as the medication did its job.
I cry as I write this because I miss her terribly. Yesterday, I picked up her ashes which now rests next to my office desk. It is fitting as she used to lie under my desk each day that I worked from home. I still find my self reaching with my foot to rub her belly.
I hurt because I loved her dearly. I would not trade this pain for the world as it measures the depth of feeling that I am capable of—Nona’s ultimate gift to her Petmom.
Well, the tables have been turned and now I have learned how to manage pain for one of my Labradors, Nona. She has a mass on her chest wall that will be removed on May 8th. From a needle aspiration, she developed an intense inflammatory reaction which caused a large amount of swelling and pain. First, an NSAID (Deramaxx) was used. Watching her behavior change during the first two doses, where she was panting, pacing and isolating herself in dark, quiet locations, told me that she was suffering–so back to the vets. Steroids, Benadryl and Tramadol for pain did the trick. Now she is back to her old self and even playing some. So, there you go: pain reduction and functional improvement ala canine. See, there really is a universal knowledge, we share with our beloved pets.
Almost three years ago now, on Mother’s Day 2010, I received a chocolate/brindle chihuahua puppy who we named Taz. He was six weeks old and the cutest thing I had ever seen. I had already been sick with RSD for 4 years at that point and on disability for a little over two years and wanted something to keep me company during the day when my husband was at work and the boys were in school. Taz and I quickly became close and in no time he could read what kind of day I was having. If I am having a bad day he can bring a smile to my face with his antics. If it is an especially pain filled day he curls up by my side, on my lap, or by my feet and just snuggles with me giving my soft kisses if I cry out in pain. On good days we play and he is my constant companion as I do things throughout the house. I can’t imagine not having him around. He is my buddy. When my husband gets home he will go play with daddy. He even sleeps with us. Snuggling close and getting up with me when I cannot sleep.
I totally agree that they do know when we are hurt or not feeling well. I also feel that it is during these times that they do become more protective over us. How do they know, I don’t think anyone can answer that but I know that without them my life would not be the same.
We have an 11 year old basset hound and an 8 month beagle/lab puppy. Our basset has had some serious health issues recently and the puppy seems to know this. She tries so hard to comfort him, she tries to share her toys with him as he lays resting. She tries to give him a little push from behind when he is having a tough time standing.
Whatever it is that allows our beloved animal family members to pick up on how we feel or how other pets in the house feel is a mystery but I don’t ever want it to change.