BARFING DOGS AND ALL THE REST

Luckily my mum sleeps through a dog throwing up next to her, while I am instantly awake at the first sound. I have my bladder and over twenty years of diuretic's to thank for that, but today I want to talk about unwanted things that often turn into the biggest gifts.

I will start with "Sheba", our female Alsatian, who landed up in our laps when my sister-in-law no longer wanted her due to her bad behaviour. Eating the quail and other misdeeds put her on the hit list, so she asked mom if she would take her. Of course mom said yes, as our previous two Alsatians were no more.

Unfortunately, I landed up being her full time carer and I was going through a bad phase of arthritis, tiredness and work related stress at the time. Never the less, I reluctantly took her to a few dog training classes and settled in with her. Mom was away at work a lot, so Sheba became my baby. The problem was, she kept waking me up at night.

It took me a few weeks to realize that the ruddy dog did not need to pee. She was waking me up because I needed to pee! So I always joke and say that I do not have a "Seeing-Eye Dog", but an "IP" dog.

That was about 9 years ago and she is my sentient animal assistant. When she wakes me I get to check on mom. That is important because mom has sleep apnea. If she gets on her back she ends up taking one big gasp and stops breathing.

Then we move onto "Milo", who has been with us now for a few years only. We rescued him when a friend of ours adopted him from the local animal welfare to save his life, but whose husband also wanted shot of.

He jumped straight into the car and headed for mom sitting in the front seat and that was that! Now we always had cats and dogs growing up, but I can truly say that my mum has never been overly affectionate with any of our pets. Until Milo that is!

Somehow he arrived at just the right time. Mum is now 80 and her memory issues and other changes have made life tough for her. Milo adopted her at first sight you can say and I cannot explain it. I can only thank God for it!

He sits on her lap, at her knee if she is ironing and of course, sleeps next to her on the bed. He makes her smile, laugh and gives her happiness that no monetary value can every calculate.

This is one reason why I cannot understand why retirement villages mostly do not allow animals. The benefits for the emotional, mental and physical health of the residents, so far outweighs the bit of work that animals require - that it should be mandatory to keep pets.

Only Milo can get my mom out for mostly a daily walk these days. She is in constant pain from severe rheumatoid arthritis. Her grandkids don't bother much to call, SMS or visit her, so that loving care is missing. However, what she lacks in loving care from other family members, Milo more than makes up for.

We saved Milo and he saved us! He came from an abused childhood having been found tied up with wire in a backyard and was not well fed, or treated. I cannot say that it has been without challenges to get Milo socialized and I still cannot take a bone, or treat out of his mouth, but we have a good game out of it.

So being the only survivor of his whole litter, we have been blessed. Sheba, being the unwanted naughty bitch, has also been a blessing. I have learnt that what looks like a punishment can also be a blessing in disguise.

I have started a new business where I can work from home and be with mom 24/7 and while it is slow to get off the ground, I am not planning to give up anytime soon.

Sometimes if life gives you LEMONS, you just have to make LEMONADE.

I am now researching the nutritional deficits of folks with dementia. Knowing myself as I do. I will not stop until I get all the answers.

PS: "Milo" and "Poddles", my cat have now reached an uneasy truce, which is another interesting relationship. Methinks cat taught dog a wee bit of humility...

ENDS