stress and dogs
 

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:lately the pain has been hard to handle I had to take a hydro..I am stressed out about work.i try not to let what other people say and do to me bother me,but sometimes they are just jerks..I try to fool everyone about my RSD happy go lucky.This pain keeps me from doing a lot.I come home get a few things done,then bed with heating pad.Looking forward to Friday,going out to dinner with some great friends.Do other people notice the more stress ,the more you hurt??For some reason I want another dog.We have one,but I feel like I need something new..I know that sounds stupid,but I just love how dogs make you feel..we have a farm and have a maltese .his name is zoey.He is very smart and loveable.This time I want a yorkie.Do you notice pets can pick up if you are having a bad day?

My little dog is always a pick me up...emotionally I don't know what I would do without her. Physically...she can sometimes cause additional pain and taking care of her is difficult sometimes...but I wouldn't trade her for anything. The strength and joy she gives me allows me to deal with this monster and cope with the pain. I'm just grateful she is not a dog that wants to play much (or at all) and that she is more of a snuggle companion. A playful dog...I would feel guilty that I couldn't play with them or give them the attention they deserve.

I have trained and shown dogs in obedience for close to 40 years...but had to stop showing when I got RSD in my shoulder, can no longer pass a leash behind my back, which is needed for part of the first levels.

Now, I used those years of knowledge and searched for just the right dog, spent 2 years working with her ( actually, I continue teaching her all the time). We went through "Levels" training and other work and she has become my mobility service dog. She goes everywhere with me.

She can do a LOT of "tasks" that help me. Helps steady me walking, getting up and down from sitting, help with stairs, picks up things I drop, can get a little pouch with medication in, open refrigerator and bring bottled water, get the phone if I fall, turn on /off lights, she can even find my car if I forget where I park. I get very stiff, and have a lot if trouble with clothing, and she helps by pulling on sleeves, can untie shoes and take them off, remove socks, pants, take shirts by nape of neck and pull off... She can get pans and bowls out of the bottom of my cupboards... It's really amazing all the things she can do. More than what I have mentioned here. She is a smooth coat Border Collie. She also alerts, naturally, not something I trained... Dogs either have this, or they don't... Then, you train their response that they use to signal you... She alerts me to increases in pain and muscle spasms... Like when I am pushing myself to much and need to stop and go home.

One of the best things, though, is that she never judges. She accepts me as I am. And, at 3 a.m. When pain is raging, it sure is nice having her cuddling up close.

I always try to remind people that service dogs can be a big help to RSDers, and to give some thought to inquiring with Canine Companions for Independence or one of the other programs. some programs charge for their dogs... A lot! But, others provide the dogs at no cost.

Even a small dog that is "just a pet" can usually be taught to pick up dropped items to help you around the home, with a little help of a good positive, rewards based trainer.

So, yes, I agree, they are wonderful. Cats too. But, they are a fair amount of work and expense too... Brushing, walking, vet care.... Etc. But... in my opinion, well worth it!

Pets are awesome and have a calming effect on people. When I see my Great Aunt at the nursing home, I also sometimes see dogs there that are there to help lift the patients spirits. And they do. They are beautiful creatures.

Hi mossey2me
 

Hi Yes dogs are great i have two and with out them i dont think i would be still
here today Spike hes a heading blue heeler x and missy is a mix not sure maybe ridge back ciwawa ears god knows anyway yeah dogs are great for
dealing with pain small dogs like missy are better because when she cuddles
up next to me and i am sore i can handle it where as spike will hurt me but
he seems to know now and will just lie next to me dogs are incredible
teachers when you spend enough time with them.

Hope this helps Rock on Peace out Mike NZ

Hi, yes completely agree on the pets thing. There's been a lot of research proving that having pets reduces stress and BP, promotes positive thinking and health, and lengthens your life. Plus they're so funny and caring and they don't answer back!

I have a little cocker spaniel and two cats, one ginger male and one petite black female. They are all very affectionate, and I love that now while I'm poorly in bed a lot, they all gather round purring and snuffling, and generally make you feel like someone cares and has your back lol. There's something timeless and calming about stroking an animal, it's amazingly healing I think.

Personally I couldn't have another dog as its my poor husband who does the majority of the dog-walking now :rolleyes: and it wouldn't be fair on him. Plus we only have a little house lol, and I don't know where it would bunk!

Bram.

smiles for animals and children
 

I am back home now after work.I really did not want to go.i felt crapy.I work with children with special needs.i love them,like they were my own.they make me smile.So I guess thats why I get up and go.i work as a bus aide.A.M. run and P.M run..part time.I have been there 11 years.children and animals make it worth doing.Because they both count on us and we them.I loved all the nice comments.Thank you for sharing.Animals will do there best for us.i feel they know how much we need them.I spoke with a man today about a yorkie,I am not sure if they will choose me.I was open and honest.I told them about my rsd,and told them where I lived,but most of all I told her I could only pay $200.00.They wanted $300.00.so I thanked them,and now I will have to see.Its in Gods hands.

Moosey my wife has RSD now for 11 years. Controlling stress is key to one's quality of life especially those with RSD, paramount if you ask me. Control the stress will make you able to control RSD, I believe. Stress is horrible with this disease. I read your story and it amazes me that a doctor thought you crazy while suffering from obviously a physical condition. I've seen it happen dozens of times.

I grew up with two maltese dogs, Maggie (called her Mag Wheels) and Tootsie. Tootsie lived to be 24 years old. She had a bad habit of chewing on cigarette butts. Often times we'd catch her with a butt hanging out of her mouth. We could never brake her of it which was tricky because my parents smoked. Maggie always smiled like she was growling but was just her smile. I loved those dogs.

My wife and I have been married for 30 years. We as a couple have never had a dog. My wife Suzy wants one now. I think it would be great for her to have one and are getting ready to bring one home soon. She's interested in Labs.

luv my doggies!
 

I'm sorry you have so much to deal with. :hug: I understand about you wanting another dog. I have a few, and they give me so much comfort and love. I have 2 Chihuahua's and a Biewer Yorkie. My Yorkie is very energetic, so that gets me going on bad days, Lol!

Jim, a Lab is seriously big enough to be trained to help your wife. Do consider that. You don't need to have the dog trained for full public access...which is a service dog... But just help with clothing, dropped items, things around the home. The dog gets a job, your wife gets help, everyone wins.

Dogs
 

Everyone what nice topic,DOGS..they are very caring,smart and a new best friend..I am going to get the yorkie on Saturday..my husband is not too happy about it.but I really hope it gets me going again.I am in a rutt..See I cannot walk much,but I thought this might be the push to try more..each week alitle more than the week before.Slow paces..I was greatful for everyone here.I am glad you are getting your wife one too.Just the smile will be worth it...Good luck:grouphug:

Very true. We've looked into training. My only issue is we've been thinking of looking at labs at a local lab shelter, many are not young. Those dogs may not be trainable for those kinds of things any longer. A pup is what I'd like and have it trained. If that happens Suzy better be prepared. :)

My brother has two large dogs, a German shepherd and a lab-Husky mix. Suzy loves the Lab mix. She's calm, she takes to Suzy very well, does not jump on her, cause trouble like the shepherd does and walks with Suzy very well. She has a head like a lab, a big furry body like a husky, has blue eyes and a black spotted tongue. :p

Jim, if I remember, you are in Ohio... ? There are a lot of prisons in Ohio that have dog training programs, both service dogs and pet dog training. I got my dog from one of them that did pet dog training. She was only 5 months, had been in the prison since she was 4 weeks, was rescued from a hoarder with her Mom and other litter mates, they all went to the prison. She was housebroken, pretty much anyway, knew basic commands, basic manners. Most of the prison programs take in dogs of all ages, and they stay from 4 to 12 weeks, get 24 hours a day training with the prisoner... Crate, manners, house training etc. Labs and Lab mixes are often put through the training, because there are so many that need homes. Ohio has a lot of prisons that do this. You can find info on them by going to the main page for Ohio corrections, search for dog programs. If you want more info, or can't find info, PM me, I will look up my links for you. I think it is a great way to get a dog. The prisoner that worked with my dog did a great job with her. She was an outgoing, friendly, smart, quick learning pup, that was easy for me to take to the next level of training. I know several people who have prison trained dogs that they have adopted, and they are all nice dogs. Another thing to look into, for a nice Lab, is service dog or Guide dog schools often have dogs that don't make it for one reason or another, and they place in private homes. Circle Tail is in southern Ohio, and they often have dogs to be adopted.

Those are great ways for anyone with RSD to find a nice dog, that has a good start, without having to begin with a puppy. Puppies are cute, but a lot of work, and for me, it would be hard to bend down and clean up after one! Better for me to start with a dog a little older.

My old, pet Australian Shepherd passed away a year and a half ago. A few months after she died, I adopted a 9 year old Border Collie from a rescue. Very sweet old girl with a lot of life left in her yet! The older dogs have such a tough time finding homes. She belonged to a family. They adopted her from this same rescue when she was 4 months old. Their kids went off to college and they didn't want her anymore, so gave her back to the rescue. I can't imagine having a dog 9 years, then just not wanting her anymore! And she is so sweet, with no bad habits or anything!

Very true daylilyfan...

Puppies are a LOT of work for the first six months - basically as much work as a having a newborn baby in the house!! It's a tough thing to take on anyway, without bringing CRPS into the mix. You also have to be extremely methodical about their upbringing to prevent setting bad habits in as well - and it's really hard to say no to a cute pup who wants to come up on your lap or nibble your fingers....:winky: Very different (and painful) when that dog is full grown and jumps up at you, climbs all over you and didn't learn that their mouths can inflict pain.

The old myth that 'old dogs can't learn new tricks' has been proven to be a bit of a myth. They most certainly CAN learn new tasks, and in fact love to do so, but again it's just a matter of perseverance and being absolutely clear and consistent with your commands and expectations. They learn very quickly in that kind of loving environment, and best of all - your furniture will be unchewed and your floors not covered in dog mess!!

I would personally always go for an older dog from rescue now, having done both. Just be sure to ask pertinent questions at the kennels, like whether the dog has lived with cats before (if you have one), ditto children (if you have them, or any that visit), is it housetrained, has it been neutered, has it ever been aggressive, etc. If you get a rescue dog with a gentle nature, you will have a gorgeous loving pet that can be a companion instead of a demanding child lol.

Good luck!!! I think a new pet is an amazing time, and when you're sick or lonely, a pet makes you feel special. That's worth the cost of the food and vets bills every time.:)

Bram.

My doggie
 

:DMy current doggie is a 100 lb Labradoodle. She goes where I go in the house. Even though she knows she is not to be on my bed I have woken up on bad bad days/nights to a very warm 'heating pad" in the form of her body snuggled close up to my back:o
Doggies are good for us!

Yorkie update
 

I had pain today like always.trying to feel upbeet.i found a yorkie had to drive 2 hours,and my bff go with me.leg was killing me.but so happy i acted like it was ok.did not to spoil the moment.got there txted them we landed.they said sorry running 30 min.late i said ok no biggy.45 min.went by,txted again ,they said they are there.we told them where we were..no responds..called them would not answer,,waited total of 1.5 house..hurt,sad,pain left for home.but we desided that was not going to take away the day.it was sunny,and had my bff with me.made the best of it..but when i got home pain became worse had to go to bed at4:30 with heating pad.i will keep looking.tomorrow is a new day.hope everyone here is well as can be..

I'm sorry you had to go through all that...sounds like a rough day.

I am seriously considering a yorkie as my next dog...though I am hoping that will be a long time off yet. My little teacup poodle is going to be 16 years old in January and I hope she is around for many more to come. I've literally had her for more than half my life at this point...she was my 8th grade graduation present.

If I ever get a yorkie though...I want to either get one that is trained as a service dog or train one myself for that. I know a small service dog can't help with some of the bigger things...but there are honestly times where it would be great to have a dog who could help retrieve things for me, monitor my pain levels, etc. There are days where it is very hard to get up and get things...so I end up going without just because I can't deal with it. Well...at least I go without until the boyfriend is around to help. ;)

No, it doesn't sound strange. I have 2 small dogs. 1 of them is happy ALL the time. Because of the pain I lay in bed all day watching tv, being on the computer, knitting etc. and she is with me all day. She's addicted to licking my face. She also follows me everywhere. It helps SO much! I just got done house sitting at my dads for 7 weeks and when I was in pain I was balling my eyes out. I didn't have her to cheer me up. I went home once a week just to see her. If I didn't have dogs I would probably be severely depressed.

When you asked "Do you think people notice the stress, the pain". I am a professional at hiding it. I only show the pain to people I trust, long story.When I am in agony my mom will know but that's about it. I live with her.

Good luck :)
Heather

<---- That is my dog Khan.

He is amazing and takes such great care of me! I've taught him several tasks and he can work as my service dog if I need him. He snuggles and hangs out wherever I am on bad days.

I also have 5 cats ranging in age from 14 yrs-2yrs. I have a turtle (red eared slider) and a chinchilla.

I love my zoo and they are what keeps me going some times.

daylilyfan, We live in northern Virginia. I have seen tv shows where dogs are trained in prison. I think it's a great idea and will keep it in mind for sure. We have looked at many labs on the net, many are older, many from homes where the owner became very ill and could not take care of them any longer. Very sad. A pup for us may not be ideal, and Suzy really isn't bent on acquiring a pup.

dogs
 

what a good program for dogs..they are a blessing to us all..thank you:winky::winky:

I hear ya
 

They are a pleasure..And they know us well...Pain is terrible,but our babies make it better

true
 

It is so true,just remember without us ,,they would not be around...but we might not be in return ..they count on us,,,, we them..