15th November 2023
Quote of the day
- “The one absolute, unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world—the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous—is his dog.” George Graham Vest
- “I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.’ Doris Day
Man, and Woman’s’ Best Friend
Today it’s day 15 of the 100 squat a day challenge and 15 days of writing my blog. I’m half way and things are definitely getting more challenging aches, pains and niggles and struggling to think of things to write which keep people reading my blogs. I’m here though and actually really enjoying and hope you are too.
I’ve always been a dog lover over a cat person. I’ve tried but for these reasons I just can’t seem to like them;
- They have literally no loyalty and will go to several houses to be fed given half the chance.
- The way they just sh1t on your lawn and your expected to pick it up. If it was a dog that would be a completely different story.
- The way the parade their star fish bottom in your face
For me I’d take a dog any day over a cat. A few months before I was diagnosed with cancer Ste finally gave in and I got my own way. We researched a few breeds and both decided on a whippet. I’ll be honest I would have gone for anything I wanted one so badly but getting a whippet was one of our smartest decisions in life.
They always say don’t pick the first one you see well we did exactly that. We went over to a whippet breeder who had two puppies left. One was a bit feisty and playful and then there was Woody just sat there all calm and chilled out. I knew he was the one for us to bring a bit of calm in the house.
From the moment he has been here he really has been the best dog ever. Hardly any trouble not many accidents and I can honestly say without him I wouldn’t have had a purpose to get out on the difficult days even if it was just for a moment.
They say dogs are like their owners well Woody being a whippet is tall and slim so maybe we’re the exception to the rule. He does however have a few similarities like me these are;
- He doesn’t like cats
- He likes walking outside
- He likes to sit by the fire to get warm
- He likes to sleep
We call him my shadow at home as literally as soon as I put my coat on or shoes, he’s there next to me as if to say I’m coming to. I’m literally sat here typing and he’s giving me that sad stare to say (can you either put the fire on or can I go out for a poo). Either way he’s making me feel guilty.
Walking with a limp
A few months ago, my mum took me to the local reservoir we were going to walk round as we hadn’t done it for a long time and this was something both me and her had challenged ourselves at different times during our fitness journey. This time it was mum who had the ailment. She had plantar facetious (easy for you to say). She was still insistent we go walking round the res (not sure who I get my stubbornness from!). So, we set off, Woody was in tow living his best life sniffing and looking at ducks. Mum was hobbling especially as the path we were on was uneasy. We continued to walk at a snail’s pace and after a bit mum rested on the next bench that we came to. It was clear she was in pain so I suggested we turn back. It took quite a while to get back mum was hobbling all along.
The next day I was walking Woody and he was limping a little bit. I noticed it but couldn’t think of anything he had done whilst being out to cause the limp. Later that evening my mum and dad came round for tea and my mum mentioned did he have a limp and I said yes but I could work out why. She was still hobbling around our house and in the kitchen.
Then later on Ste had been watching this you tube video of this man who had spent thousands in vet bills trying to find out why his greyhound was limping. He happened to have broken his legs. It turned out there was nothing wrong with the dog it was literally limping out of empathy for his owner. We laughed at this so tried it out sure enough every time Woody saw my mum, he limped a bit. When he was out with me absolutely fine! It was so funny just glad we realised before we took him to the vets for a check-up.
Woody has been with me through thick and thin. The number of times I’ve been struggling just a walk with him or a hug does me the world of good. When I’ve been slow and not much mobility he just goes at my pace. Often when I’ve been upset, he comes and rests his chin on the sofa arm next to me to say ‘Cheer up love’. I don’t know if it’s a whippet, dog or pet thing but he really does love me unconditionally and can lift my moods most of the time.
So, here’s to you
Woody Happy 7th Birthday for tomorrow. The one companion who’s been with me on this cancer journey and has kept me going, the one who doesn’t answer back or ask for much (unlike my kids). Tomorrow, I’ll get you your favourite treat.
Lessons Learnt
- Don’t always trust a limping dog
- Pets can be a lot more emotionally sensitive then we realise
- Pets can boost ourselves both physically and mentally. (even cats, hamsters, fish, gerbils etc)
See you tomorrow
