Thank you all!!

As Kitty kindfully stated, the post is pretty old and is from 2007 lol ! My arm is bad again but thankfully, it hasn't become Dystonic this time and locked into a fist as I made sure I kept moving it as much as possible.

We decided to call our dog Jack. It took us forever to think of a name but we liked that one and thought he looked like a Jack also!!! He is nearly 2 years old now and full of life - he can be a right little monster sometimes!!! He certainly brings a lot of joy to my life, even on the saddest of days when I feel really depressed.

He seems to know when i'm not feeling well as he will come and lick me and lay at the side of me. It is so sweet to watch! I think dogs know better than humans sometimes when people aren't feeling well !!

We are trying to get Jack into some training classes at the moment. We have had him for nearly 2 years now and he is fully house trained however he gets a bit anxious when we leave him in the house, even if it is just for a few hours. Someone said that it sounds like seperation anxiety so we are trying to get him trained so hopefully he will be a little better when we leave hima as at the moment, he drags everything all over the place - I guess it is to comfort him. He also seems to jump a lot when we walk through the door as he is so happy to see us which is OK but it can really hurt my leg!!!!

He is an absolute gem though! He sleeps on my double bed all of the time and never leaves our side hardly! I can't walk him really because of my RSD, I really wish I could as I miss out on that a lot as we used to always walk our old dog when I was fit.

Thanks again everyone for all of your suggestions, even if there were from a while ago!!!

Maybe I should look at the dates a bit closer...

dear ali,s mum,,,my wife said that you should call him "hope"
bobber

Hi Ali and Mum,
I'm so sorry about Ben! Our family has felt the sadness of losing a pet, an important part of our family.
It's wonderful Ali that your hand is unfolding. I have one of those hands, my left and original limb 13 years ago. I'm thankful for partial release thru therapy about 100 pt and 150 massage therapy. I'm happy to be able to cut my own food, zip a zipper , smile,
button a button etc.
Your pooch is so CUTE!!!!!!!!! I can see why your hand responded, he looks so soft and furry. Boy, a lot of the names are so good. I named my last kitty Sabrina. I guess I like Hope for a name. We are all full of hope for a cure or remission.
I have a chest, sinus infection too right now Ali. It sure sets us back doesn't it.
Take care and I hope you get to go to school soon and be with your friends. Thanks Mum for letting us know about Ben and also about Ali's hand and new pup.
With love, loretta

Thank you all for the kind words.

As I previously stated though, this post was from 2007 so is nearly 2 years old now lol !!!

We decided to call our puppy Jack as that is the name we liked and thought it suited him. He has grown so much since the picture was taken and is nearly 2 now (He'll be 2 in August).

My arm has been causing me some problems again but thankfully hasn't gone into a fist like it did before. It is still really painful though, especially around my wrist.

Thanks again. Just thought i'd clarify that this is an older post.

Has anyone ever watched those nature documentaries about the great apes where they groom each other, pick off fleas and ticks, etc? Well, since I was a young child, I have loved cats. All animals, mind you, but cats have a special place in my heart. Anyways, the poor cat having fleas biting them always made me angry, so I hunt them, running my fingers deeply into their fur looking for the little heathens. Gotten quite good over the years. Anyways, I should think it would be a good therapy, the interaction with the animal calms a person, lessens the pain a bit, gives one a good feeling to help your friend with their bitey problem, as well as giving your hands some therapy. It is somewhat gross I suppose, crushing the evil little buggers between fingernails or chucking them in rubbing alcohol, and one should wash yer hands after doing it, just because, but I think it might help anyone with hand problems. Lemme know if ya find some help from this. Later all, Smoke