Pet Appreciation Week

I meant to have this post up at the beginning of the week but life happened. <3 Anywho…

I was asked by DogVacay to write a post about what I appreciate most about my pet. I know I do talk about my dogs a lot on my blog but I think our animals are the one thing that most of us have a common bond with. We may differ in the type of animal we run to or find comfort in, but at the end of the day, it is my belief that at least 95% of those suffering from Crohns disease or Ulcerative Colitis (or any other chronic illness…) have found enormous comfort in their pets. The Great Bowel Movement does a great job at talking about this in this post here

I had to think long and hard about what I appreciate the absolute most about my dogs since there is just so much to say. I think it is how they are always, always there. No matter where I am or what I am doing, if they are allowed in the room (or bed, couch, chair, etc), they are. No questions. My mom calls them (especially Phoebe) “velcro dogs.”

Phoebe

I am also enamored at the amazing complimentary personalities of both of my animals. Holli is my absolute therapy dog. Just the other night, I was having a rough time and immediately went to find her and once she was next to me, resting her head on my chest, I suddenly felt okay. I was with her… this innocent animal who is here for love only..to give and receive. How could things be bad when I am next to her?

Holli and I :)

As I have mentioned in previous posts, she has also been my savior when it came to my PTSD. I don’t know how or why but as soon as Holli came into our home, we connected on a different level than I have with any other dog. She was waking me up from nightmares. She would spend hours laying her entire body on top of me (she is almost 60lbs) in an effort to stop me from shaking or crying. It was the kind of comfort I couldn’t receive from anyone or anything else. Medications failed me (and scared me) and given nightmares occur in the middle of the night, the rest of the world is pretty much sleeping. But not her. Not Holli. She would stay up and do whatever was needed until I was back to my old self. Then, she would sleep when I would. And if the next night was a bad one as well, she would do the same things all over again. I don’t know how, why, or what it is about this dog but her presence alone in my life is something I appreciate more than words.

Holli

Both of my girls came into my life in 2011…one of the worst years of my life. I appreciate Phoebe in different ways. She is truly so naive, finding so much joy in eating grass or a flying bird. Everything is exciting to her. All you have to do is say her name and you can hear her tail banging against something out of sheer happiness to be with you. My family and I believe she was taken from her mother too early and has honestly never been left alone without Holli for more than 20 minutes since we got her. So, clearly, she has some separation issues but… I LOVE IT!!!! Most people wouldn’t be interested in a dog who needs to be on top of you constantly and only wants to be near you all of the time..including it being mandatory (otherwise intense crying occurs) for a dog to sleep with you.

{My dad loves her and has always been a dog lover and even she is too much for him in that respect.}

My mom is more accepting… :)

Both of my dogs were meant to be with me. They were meant to help me get through all of my challenges over the past three years and they are meant to continue their life right alongside mine. And I was meant to give them the enormously loving home they both always deserved. It couldn’t have been just any dog. It had to be them. I also don’t believe in coincidences (most of the time) and truly believe that a higher power of some sort put these dogs into my life.

Sisters<3

JournalingIBD

Offering Support, Encouragement, and Hope to those with IBD

Pet Appreciation Week

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