Comfort dogs
Comments
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Puppy breath is the best!! I had a friend one time who actually thought baby breath was better than puppy breath. Wasn't she silly???
Thanks for all the good wishes for Mikey. He's feeling much better and is out of the satellite dish, enthusiastically barking at the sound of a pileated woodpecker that went by. He hates their call -- no idea way.
((((Bobo)))) You've had such a rough time. Sending love and hugs.
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My last dog, Chloe was trained as a comfort dog. She passed for me but not my boyfriend! She was awesome with kids. Her favorite holiday was Halloween because she got to see all of the kids as they came to the door! She passed away at 5 years old in our house fire.
Then a couple of years later we adopt Colin. We went to puppy class then the second class. Walked 2 times every day. Went to the dog park at least 2 times a week. I had visions of him being a comfort dog. I wanted to take an agility class with him just for fun. Suddenly at about 1 year he became frighted of everything outside and barks at everything. He unfortunately can become aggressive. He hangs out in the backyard barks at bunnies, ignores the squirrels, and will bark if someone is coming too close to the yard. He is spoiled as can be. Is on prozac. We continue to train him inside and in the backyard! He is clueless to what is going on. All he knows is that mom is home and sleeps in. Once dad leaves he jumps and curls us by mom's feet. Seeing his cute face makes me smile and helps with the process!
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Natsfan, thank you so much for the kind words and hugs. Mikey is feeling better! Hooray! Woodpeckers ARE annoying.
Mapgirl, I am so so sorry about Chloe. That must have been terrible. I must say, without the prozac, which perhaps we should consider, your story of Colin describes the story of Bobo exactly! Two puppy kindergartens, socialized with dogs and children, and then at one year, same thing, and he must stay on leash, and gets scared/aggressive with some dogs, but likes others, inexplicably, and must stay in the yard, or on leashed walks. But he is my sweet darling, and loves me especially, and moves to 'block' people from getting to me if they come in for a hug! He is protecting me, but he is also jealous! He wants all the hugs. When I kiss DLLP, and Bobo is nearby, he moves in and kisses us while we are kissing -- just bumps our faces and gives one lick! He is jealous. He does not want anyone kissing me; plus, HE wants to be the one to get kisses!
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Bobogirl,
I am so relieved Colin was the only one! Thank you for sharing! Hope you are having a great day!
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Mapgirl, in my avatar picture that's Bobo on Christmas morning, exhausted and covered with blankie. He thinks is one of the children. We have a seven and an eight year old. He especially thinks he is equal to my daughter. He took her to preschool everyday and picked her up, and he was always not understanding why he couldn't go inside and join the rest of the class! He sat right next to her and ate his dinner. And when he sees a reflection of himself, he barks because he thinks it's a dog! My theory is that he thinks he is a person, not a dog.
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Yep Brian on family guy came back to life, indeed. The shows producers just did it to get attention (and boost ratings I am sure). The joys of cartoons! They had no idea they would actually get such an avalanche of hate mail and death threats from the fans though-shows you how much we Americans love our dogs- even the fictional characters!
I hope everyone and your furkids are doing okay. I finished a big deadline yeserday/last night so get to have a relatively late morning to blog from the recliner with my matcha tea, a fuzzy blanket, and three poodle mix dogs in my lap. Perfect morning!
Green tea cheers to all!
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Sorry when I logged in I was on the last page and thought that was the most recent, missed these posts. My reply above might seem a bit out of sequence!
I am so glad Mikey is better and out of the dish, yay>
Mapgirl I am so sorry about Chloe. I cant even imagine that pain that you went through when you lost her. ((((hugs)))))
The stories of Colin and Bobo are so touching- I am glad they have their mommies!
I am trying to train the puppy the way my adopted dogs were not by the time we met them- exposing him to everything and everyone possible in this early stage to try to reduce fear. And coming in and out of my office a lot at work when he is with me so he doesn't get the extreme separation anxiety like Lewie does whenever I leave him. Lewie cant come to work because he howls piteously if I step out for a meeting- rather disruptive!
I hope all this exposure/training will work for Brian. He is pretty hyper but a good boy. Learning fast.
Did any event happen to Bobo or Colin that made them fearful, or was it just a "growing up" change, do you think?
It has taken six years of work with my Toto, who had severe leash aggression by the time we adopted him, to calm down. He loves Lewie (and now the pup- they play constantly) but wanted to attack any other dog, only when we were walking on leash. FINALLY he is more sociable, but not yet reproducibly so. But we can go to the dog park with all three boys without him turning into a tasmanian devil on the way in - yay.
I wish I knew better what goes on in their brains, I try hard to understand- as it sounds like you all do as well! any insight is appreciated!
Hugs
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Hi Sciencegal! Wish I could have matcha tea with you right now.
Bobo was attacked by a pit bull on the street, in PHL, while he was wearing a leash. It wasn't too bad -- we got him away. But even before that he was not comfortable around some dogs. We tried our best to socialize. Also he was with me almost all the time in his puppyhood -- I had two two-year-olds, and tried to socialize him with them, which worked. And I work from home a lot. He also, like Lewie, has severe attachment anxiety. He howls if I walk him to Starbucks and tie him outside to go in to pick up a coffee! It sounds like the end of the world! And then when I come out, sometimes two beautiful blonde girls are petting him to make him feel better.
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Oh poor Bobo! That must have been horrible. I am glad he has you as his mom.
I have read that the separation anxiety means they think they are dominant over us and we are not allowed to leave. But I dont think I agree- Lewie is a very submissive dog and will do anything to please me, he has no alpha tendencies. Sounds liek Bobo does not have that problem either.
I always think it is because Lewie is blind and being left alone, but he does it with Toto there as well. In my office, which they both like-beds, toys, snacks, people to visit them. Still trying to figure it out.
Love the starbcuks story- awesome. Not the howling but the cute girls consoling him. Sweet!
And how are you feeling, getting better slowly but surely? It must be tough taking care of the kids, dog, and You!
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How about comfort kitties?
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Awwww- we love them too! Thanks for the darling picture!
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Sweet picture, Monis! My cat actually helped find my tumor.
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I actually have 3 cats, but I don't think I'll ever be able to get them all in the same photo together! The two sisters (in the photo) don't hang around their "brother" much if they can help it - He tends to not play "nice". He is, however, the biggest cuddler of them all and snuggles with us in bed every night.
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Georgie, that is amazing. Monica, comfort kitties are adorable!
Sciencegal, I have been having a tough time. Powering through. Still feel pretty worn down and overwhelmed. Still painful. Plus it looks terrible and I can't really look at it. Still facing one more sx in March. But acting like nothing is going on at work. Grading papers right now, in fact.
Agree -- Bobo is not dominant that way. Well, right before he goes to sleep (exactly at eight o'clock), he romps around on the bed and "bites" me up, even though he is giant -- he prances around, and growls and talks, and kind of mouths me and then licks my hand, and brings me his bear for me to play hide and seek. If someone saw this, he may think it's dominant behavior, because he's so big and because of the growling and loud barking. But it is playing! And then he goes right to sleep. p.s. -- If you are going to rob the house, time your operation for 8:02 p.m. As soon as Bobo is asleep, he is not guarding the house anymore.
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bobo,
Am "in the closet" as well with my cancer. Hardly anyone knows and it is better that way. When people know, they treat me differently. It's really hard when you are healing and going through treatment! I used lots of makeup and everyone said I looked great, even though I didn't feel that way. And I can't look at my chest either. But at least you are getting recon, so at some point it will look better.
monica,
My cat helped me heal from my mastectomy. He never left my side. He is almost 21!!!
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Good kitty! Love him.
I am not having recon anymore. One TE was infected and ripped out in emergency sx on New Year's Eve. I'm having the other one out March 7th. Just got back from PT, where they said, over and over, You're not reconstructing?
Bobo used to be so 'rough' when he played with me, but ever since I came home from mx, he's completely changed. He's so gentle now. Even his playing is a gentle version. And his face looks so worried. He sleeps all the way against my leg every night.
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Bobo,
Yes, animals are so intuitive about us.I love the non verbal communication. How wonderful that Bobo has been so gentle and attentive to you!!!! They are such a wonderful comfort.
So sorry about your struggles. What a long road for you. Here is my sweet kitty that has been so great. Photo was taken last year when he was 20.
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Georgie, your kitty is gorgeous! He doesn't look 20!
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Here are five of our six weenies!! Bella (the oldest, the momma bottom left) always protects me from the rest of the pack when I'm having a bad day. Last year when I had the flu my dad dropped off some groceries to us and she wouldn't let him near me!! She normally LOVES my Daddy! I'm anxious to see how she's gonna act after DMX!!
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Georgie, your kitty looks like a model! You should make a calendar. And meremere, your doggies are adorable. I love that protective mama! She is smart as a whip, obviously.
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Georgie - beautiful kitty!
Mere - Love those weiner dogs. What a houseful!!! You don't happen to live at Fifth and Maple, do you???
One of my all time favorite Far Side cartoons . . .
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Natsfan, you are making me pee my pants!
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Too funy!!! Cute pups and a gorgeous kitty. I love the photos!!! And all the stories.
Bobogirl I am so sorry you have had such a rough time of it. And enduring insensitive people who ask stupid questions does not make it any easier, for sure.
Thank gosh for our animals- they know just what to "say"!
And i promise I wont rob your house LOL. Come over for a glass of wine maybe, but no robbing.
Hugs
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Thank you Sciencegal. Why don't you definitely come over, but while you are here you can 'rob' some of the laundry off the floor and put it in the washer? Then maybe you can 'rob' it over to the dryer.
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This is my comfort dog!0 -
Gina,
What kind of dog is he/she?
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Great picture Gina! Thanks for sharing.
Bobogirl my puppy can help with that laundry. Except any socks that he snatches from the laundry bin or elsewhere end up in his bed with a lot of puppy slobber on them! Likely not quite what you had in mind.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
hugs
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He's a 4 year old Alaskan Malamute, 107 lbs. He's the only living being not affected by our sub-zero temps and wind chills this winter! It was -12 real temp this morning and he was happy outside. Notice his one ear up~~the other has been floppy since he was a puppy. We don't care and he doesn't know the difference. It makes him special.
Love all the dog/cat pics and stories. Gina
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thanks, Gina! My Tibetan Mastiff is also so happy in the freezing cold weather. I can barely get him to come inside!
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Haha love it! My pampered poodles do not want to step out of the doggy door if it drops below 40 degrees- or they run out super fast to pee pee and back in right away to shake off the cold.
I guess they will not be pulling sleds any time soon!
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