lonliness and loss of companionship

[Guest guest]

greetings linda and all,

several posts, including mine, have mentioned one of the hardest things we face,

lossing people we care about due to our illness. it is one of the hardest things

about chronic ilness. add to that the fact that many of us just can't get out as

much as we'd like to and we can sometimes feel very alone.

linda, you mentioned that your son had a dog that he had to send elsewhere. i

know for me that pets are a great help when i am at home alone and can't get

out. i don't recall the reason your son no longer has his dog. depending on the

reason, perhaps you could look into getting him a different pet. i konw there

is no way i would be able to deal with the work involved in having a dog, even

if my landlord allowed them. i do however have multiple pets (a very strange

looking cat, a mean but funny gerbil, 2 mice that my daughter saved from the cat

who will be released to live happy wild mouse lives soon, and 7 very lovable

rats). they help bring life to my home when no one else is around.

even small pets can be a help. my cat seems to know when i am getting a bit

lonely and will come and start nudging me to be petted. when i feel up to going

out for a short walk in nice weather, i will often take one of the rats with me

on a leash (yes they walk on a leash just like a dog). one of the rats even

knows when i am really upset and crying. she will start rattling around in her

cage till i get her. then she will try to clean my cheeks because i was crying.

by now i know some people are going 'yuck! rats! nasty!' that's ok. they're not

for everyone. the point is, if someone enjoys animals, they can really be a help

in keeping our spirits up, even the little ones. just a thought

blessings,

elizabeth