Gary's gone for a few minutes so as this is my second birthday, I wanted to share a few moments of puppy wisdom with you. First of all, I have heard from many of your pets over the past two years and I just wanted to thank you for being as good at pet caregiving as you are at human caregiving.

There are however, things I am hearing on the doggie grapevine that I find discomforting...what, did you think we did all that barking just to annoy you? (well, maybe sometimes.) I'll give you one example of my friend Bowser (Where do you guys come up with these names?) Bowser's owner (we call you our owners just to make you guys think you are in charge.. if only we had opposable thumbs!), was a terrific caregiver for her husband living with Alzheimer's as well as for Bower, unfortunately the only person she was no good at taking care for was herself. She ignored her own health, didn't get any respite and eventually collapsed, leaving the neighborhood to live with family members up north. I think her husband is living in a facility down the street. Bowser, according to puppy park gossip, was sent to the pound because the family couldn't take him with them. For the sake of all those (human and otherwise) who count on you, please make your first resolution this year to care for yourself. Oh, and maybe some extra treats after dinner...

On a brighter note, I have been reading your responses to last week's column and want to share some of these caring pet stories with you.

 

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Responses:

I accompany my miniature poodle, Pouf, when she visits my husband at the nursing home...continued

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I just lost my mother on Dec. 13th after taking care of her 24/7...continued

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My cat, Moishe, loves when I knit. He climbs on my lap and hands the yarn to me through his teeth...continued

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Before my mother entered the last stage of Alzheimer's which she is currently in, her dog, Inky, was one of her few joys left...continued

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Someone said that cats are "aloof" and "unfriendly" - but apparently, my cats didn't hear it!...continued

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My dog, Tasha is an 11 year old Cockapoo - and has been the light of our lives... Miss Personality -...continued

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Scooter, our Springer Spaniel/Fence Jumper mix from the Humane Society, was no more than 12 weeks old and had only been with us for...continued

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 I want to tell you about Bubba the wonder dog. Bubba is a mutt puppy, an almost 11 year old "cockador"(lab/cocker spaniel and who knows what else...continued

 

 

Gary Barg
Editor-in-Chief
gary@caregiver.com