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The relationship between man and his dog is a special one. |
Since the murder of my daughter Tina, depression has been a real struggle for me. Even though it's been over 5 years I still have my bad days. The pain never seems to go away. I pray for strength daily and God does answer my prayers. But I believe He wants me to learn from my pain. Those of us who have lost a child, know it can be an uphill battle that never seems to end. You feel as if your heart has been ripped out from inside of you. It hurts pretty bad and it is hard even to describe. The puppy on this page is Bandit, a Shih Tzu and my little bundle of joy. I have been sharing him with most of you since he joined our family in February. You have seen him grow over the past few months and I just have to share him with you, because the love and comfort he has brought me has helped me and my husband smile again and from the messages I recieve, he is bringing you some smiles too. It's not at all surprising that more and more healthcare professionals are recommending that their patients adopt a dog or cat to help them through difficult periods of physical and mental illness. I have read of many instances that describes how the companionship of a loyal, loving pet has helped ailing people to get better. You may have experienced at one time or another that your pet recognized that you were suffering and they actually offered you comfort. |
God has given animals the ability to sense changes in the mind and body and they can influence humans in many ways. For those who are discouraged and feeling down, animals can encourage playful and happy thoughts which remind us to take care of ourselves and others. The gentle purr of a cat or a friendly lick from a puppy can be a form of healing, and they can even have an effect on us physically, by lowering blood pressure and reducing stress. It's been said that stroking soft fur, can enhance memory, shorten recovery time after an injury, help curb depression, open lines of communication, and even increase a person's chance of survival after a heart attack. All animals, even those in the wild, are natural healers. Bandit is a big part of my healing and I can honestly say that those bad days are becoming much less frequent. I love my new little fur baby and I know he love me too! |
WHY DOGS DON'T LIVE AS LONG AS PEOPLE Unknown Author |
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owner, his wife, and their little boy were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, the owners told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old boy to observe the procedure. They felt he could learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. The little boy seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. |
We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. The little boy, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me - I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay here as long." |
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"How Much Is That Doggie In The Window" Performed by Patti Page |
