Comments on: Health.com Wants to Know: How Have Pets Helped You to Heal? http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/ Lifestyle, Wellness, and Fitness Articles from Health.com and Health Magazine Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:25:33 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Blue http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/#comment-10374 Blue Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:59:59 +0000 http://healthliving.wordpress.com/?p=4838#comment-10374 I am married to a European man and relationships are so different between man and woman. He works so much that we may only see each other an hour a day and when he was home he rarely ever talked to me. My dog that I'd had for 15 years died after we'd been married for almost a year. It broke my heart when she died and I didn't want another dog (Keesha was like my child). I became unbelievably lonely and depressed. My family all live in other states and while I spoke with my sister almost daily I was still so lonely. It took me two years but I finally adopted a shelter dog from an abusive situation and I have not been lonely a day since Tobey came into my life. It's just amazing the difference he has made. I am married to a European man and relationships are so different between man and woman. He works so much that we may only see each other an hour a day and when he was home he rarely ever talked to me. My dog that I’d had for 15 years died after we’d been married for almost a year. It broke my heart when she died and I didn’t want another dog (Keesha was like my child). I became unbelievably lonely and depressed. My family all live in other states and while I spoke with my sister almost daily I was still so lonely. It took me two years but I finally adopted a shelter dog from an abusive situation and I have not been lonely a day since Tobey came into my life. It’s just amazing the difference he has made.

]]> By: Thorne http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/#comment-6293 Thorne Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:58:06 +0000 http://healthliving.wordpress.com/?p=4838#comment-6293 My dog saved me. I was suffering from severe depression and nothing seemed to break through the cloud. My sister talked me into contacting a breeder and looking for a puppy. It was love at first sight. I now get out of bed every day for him and rush home from work every night to see him. My depression is very nearly a thing of the past all thanks to a 20lb pup. My dog saved me. I was suffering from severe depression and nothing seemed to break through the cloud. My sister talked me into contacting a breeder and looking for a puppy. It was love at first sight. I now get out of bed every day for him and rush home from work every night to see him. My depression is very nearly a thing of the past all thanks to a 20lb pup.

]]> By: Helen http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/#comment-5090 Helen Sat, 06 Dec 2008 19:15:40 +0000 http://healthliving.wordpress.com/?p=4838#comment-5090 Having four of the best "kids" (my papillons) in the world makes getting up every day a joy. If not for them I don't know what I would do. My first pap, named WeeWee because he fit in the pocket of my tshirt when I first got him was there for me when my mom passed away and I didn't know how I could manage my day to day life. My mom was everything to me, and Wee helped me thru a lot of dark times. Unfortunately, WeeWee passed when he was 16 and that was so hard for me. I now have 4 other papillons, not that I replaced Wee, but I had to have a furry little "kid" in my life. My "kids" make me want to come home from work and do for them. If not for them my life would be sooooooooo empty. They love unconditionally, and are ALWAYS so happy to see me. They are so forgiving and love me even when I don't feel very loveable. My four "kids" now are Dalton, who just turned 16 and is named after Patrick Swayzes character in the movie Roadhouse cuz I love Ps, Niki. my friendly,happy, loves everybody girl is 7 and was acquired as a friend for Dalton after his buddy WeeWee passed, and then I have my two pups from Dalton and Niki....an accident I blame on my husband becuz he wasn't watching them when Niki had her first heat.......Bubba, who I had to give CPR to after she was born and wasn't breathing, who has the strangest personality and is wonderful inspite of herself, and then my baby boy Jack........he is petite and so protective of me my husband can't even enter the room without a reprimand from Jack to stay away from me. Jack has a wonderful loving personality and altho four dogs is a lot to handle some days I wouldn't trade them for anything. They are spoiled tho, won't eat dog food so I have to cook for them. They get liver/rice or chicken/rice, pork/rice....and once in a while some dog food, but only Cesars......which is very expensive and one of the reasons I cook. I think its one of the reasons Dalton is 16 and still runs around like a puppy. The vet told me she never would have guessed he was that old because of how he acts, so I must be doing something right. Well, as you can tell I love my "kids" and could go on and on forever. Hope you all have great days and memories with your furry children.....and I hope I have many, many more with mine. Having four of the best “kids” (my papillons) in the world makes getting up every day a joy. If not for them I don’t know what I would do. My first pap, named WeeWee because he fit in the pocket of my tshirt when I first got him was there for me when my mom passed away and I didn’t know how I could manage my day to day life. My mom was everything to me, and Wee helped me thru a lot of dark times. Unfortunately, WeeWee passed when he was 16 and that was so hard for me. I now have 4 other papillons, not that I replaced Wee, but I had to have a furry little “kid” in my life. My “kids” make me want to come home from work and do for them. If not for them my life would be sooooooooo empty. They love unconditionally, and are ALWAYS so happy to see me. They are so forgiving and love me even when I don’t feel very loveable. My four “kids” now are Dalton, who just turned 16 and is named after Patrick Swayzes character in the movie Roadhouse cuz I love Ps, Niki. my friendly,happy, loves everybody girl is 7 and was acquired as a friend for Dalton after his buddy WeeWee passed, and then I have my two pups from Dalton and Niki….an accident I blame on my husband becuz he wasn’t watching them when Niki had her first heat…….Bubba, who I had to give CPR to after she was born and wasn’t breathing, who has the strangest personality and is wonderful inspite of herself, and then my baby boy Jack……..he is petite and so protective of me my husband can’t even enter the room without a reprimand from Jack to stay away from me. Jack has a wonderful loving personality
and altho four dogs is a lot to handle some days I wouldn’t trade them for anything. They are spoiled tho, won’t eat dog food so I have to cook for them. They get liver/rice or chicken/rice, pork/rice….and once in a while some dog food, but only Cesars……which is very expensive and one of the reasons I cook. I think its one of the reasons Dalton is 16 and still runs around like a puppy. The vet told me she never would have guessed he was that old because of how he acts, so I must be doing something right. Well, as you can tell I love my “kids” and could go on and on forever. Hope you all have great days and memories with your furry children…..and I hope I have many, many more with mine.

]]> By: Barbara Davidow http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/#comment-4434 Barbara Davidow Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:14:59 +0000 http://healthliving.wordpress.com/?p=4838#comment-4434 I loved reading the stories and seeing the pets and their loving companions. My sheltie isn't a cuddler (I think it's a breed characteristic and also they get too hot), but after my lumpectomy, she spent the whole night snuggled between me and the wall next to the bed. It was wonderful and healing! I loved reading the stories and seeing the pets and their loving companions. My sheltie isn’t a cuddler (I think it’s a breed characteristic and also they get too hot), but after my lumpectomy, she spent the whole night snuggled between me and the wall next to the bed. It was wonderful and healing!

]]> By: Carito http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/#comment-4179 Carito Sun, 09 Nov 2008 06:32:20 +0000 http://healthliving.wordpress.com/?p=4838#comment-4179 About two years ago I was suffering from depression and anxiety,and a family member brought me a dog and I discover the beautiful relationship that a person can build with a pet. Growing up I always have pets in my parents house but they were not mine. Since I start bonding with my dog I got a reduction in the amount of medicine intake, and after a couple months I get out of medication. My anxiety attacks got really mild until I do not suffer from that anymore. I am sure I will not make it without the loving companionship of my dog called Rockyto. About two years ago I was suffering from depression and anxiety,and a family member brought me a dog and I discover the beautiful relationship that a person can build with a pet. Growing up I always have pets in my parents house but they were not mine. Since I start bonding with my dog I got a reduction in the amount of medicine intake, and after a couple months I get out of medication. My anxiety attacks got really mild until I do not suffer from that anymore. I am sure I will not make it without the loving companionship of my dog called Rockyto.

]]> By: dianne http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/#comment-4142 dianne Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:24:28 +0000 http://healthliving.wordpress.com/?p=4838#comment-4142 I have had over 13 surgeries as a child/young adult. I had a cat that was alive when I had 8 of those surgeries. Once I got home from the hospital, that cat sat vigil on my bed for days, only leaving to drink water and use the litter box. I don't think he even ate very much during those times. My cat provided me with far more comfort & encouragement than any human! I have had over 13 surgeries as a child/young adult. I had a cat that was alive when I had 8 of those surgeries. Once I got home from the hospital, that cat sat vigil on my bed for days, only leaving to drink water and use the litter box. I don’t think he even ate very much during those times. My cat provided me with far more comfort & encouragement than any human!

]]> By: Carol Klimentos http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/#comment-4077 Carol Klimentos Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:46:45 +0000 http://healthliving.wordpress.com/?p=4838#comment-4077 I just loved all the stories and pictures of these loving pets who mean so much to their owners. Each one made me smile. No matter how big or small, they are angels among us and so very important to our well-being and happiness. Thank you for the insight into the mystery of pets and their healing abilities. I just loved all the stories and pictures of these loving pets who mean so much to their owners. Each one made me smile. No matter how big or small, they are angels among us and so very important to our well-being and happiness. Thank you for the insight into the mystery of pets and their healing abilities.

]]> By: SANDY http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/#comment-4020 SANDY Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:41:30 +0000 http://healthliving.wordpress.com/?p=4838#comment-4020 I HAD SURGERY A YEAR AGO AND MY DOG WAS RIGHT THERE BY MY SIDE AS I WAS HEALING. HE HELPED ME HEAL JUST BY LYING RIGHT BY MY BED. EVERYTIME I WOULD GET UP TO GO TO THE BATHROOM HE WOULD KISS MY LEGS. HE KNEW NOT TO JUMP UP ON ME, BECAUSE I WAS IN ALOT OF PAIN. I LOVE MY DOG FOR THAT. I HAD SURGERY A YEAR AGO AND MY DOG WAS RIGHT THERE BY MY SIDE AS I WAS HEALING. HE HELPED ME HEAL JUST BY LYING RIGHT BY MY BED. EVERYTIME I WOULD GET UP TO GO TO THE BATHROOM HE WOULD KISS MY LEGS. HE KNEW NOT TO JUMP UP ON ME, BECAUSE I WAS IN ALOT OF PAIN. I LOVE MY DOG FOR THAT.

]]> By: netzie http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/#comment-3730 netzie Wed, 22 Oct 2008 02:39:56 +0000 http://healthliving.wordpress.com/?p=4838#comment-3730 Unconditional love and they never care what you look like. My beagle Oliver is right next to me on the couch as I type this. He's my baby. We spoil each other. He makes me laugh. I just wish I knew how he knows just when I need to laugh at life. My first beagle, Sy, wouldn't leave my side after an emergency appendectimy and later a stint on crutches with a broken bone. I lost him to cancer in 2001 and still miss my Sy puppy! Unconditional love and they never care what you look like. My beagle Oliver is right next to me on the couch as I type this. He’s my baby. We spoil each other. He makes me laugh. I just wish I knew how he knows just when I need to laugh at life.

My first beagle, Sy, wouldn’t leave my side after an emergency appendectimy and later a stint on crutches with a broken bone. I lost him to cancer in 2001 and still miss my Sy puppy!

]]> By: jan http://living.health.com/2008/08/19/how-have-pets-helped-you-heal/#comment-3683 jan Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:29:12 +0000 http://healthliving.wordpress.com/?p=4838#comment-3683 Gpd bless all of you for sharing your stories. I've enjoyed each and every one. Gpd bless all of you for sharing your stories. I’ve enjoyed each and every one.

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