Tag: Dogs

Achilles Did Great Last Night

Achilles Did Great Last Night

Achilles did really well last night. My husband and I were a little worried that he was going to freak out during the fireworks last night. However, we didn’t hear any fireworks last night. While we were home and when we took a walk (around 10:30pm), we heard a few loud noises, but Achilles didn’t bark once. He still almost never barks. He’s only done so about 5 times since we got him, which was just over 5 weeks ago.

He’s a really good dog, but he can get himself in trouble. Earlier today, he was running around the house playing catch (with his Kong ball) and he ran into the wall. It didn’t phase him at all, but he did take some of the paint and even some drywall off the corner. My brother-in-law will help us fix this. Now, Achilles is resting peacefully.

Achilles

Achilles

Yesterday, my husband and I decided to go to the humane society to look at dogs that were up for adoption. We decided that we would only adopt a dog if there was a real connection between all of us. We had private visits with multiple dogs, but the connection just wasn’t there. The we saw Achilles. He was on hold, but only for another 20 minutes. We waited around, and Achilles ended up being available. He is a 3-year-old American Bulldog mix, he weighs 85 pounds, he was found as a stray in a bad neighborhood, he’s very calm and loving, he loves to play fetch, he is great on a leash, and he is a wonderful gentle giant. My husband and I fell in love with him right away. Achilles is perfect for us. We were ecstatic to take him home with us.

Cash’s Update

Cash’s Update

The vet’s office called and told me to stop by and pick up some pain medication for him, which I did immediately. My husband also mentioned inflatable e-collars, which I did not know they have. The regular plastic e-collars are so difficult for both humans and dogs. The inflatable ones are awesome!

Cash can now lay down and get somewhat comfortable. The pain meds are helping, but I know he’s still sore. I’m starting to feel a little better. I’ve been so anxious, worried, overwhelmed, and afraid for the past couple of days. All of that is finally starting to subside so I can be anxious and overwhelmed about my everyday life again.

New Lump On My Dog

New Lump On My Dog

I just found a new lump on my dog. It’s different from the other lumps he has. He’s an older dog (he’s 11), so finding lumps is not abnormal, however, this new one is unlike any other lump I’ve seen on him. So we’re going to the vet tomorrow at 10am. I’m hoping that he’s okay, but I’m worried. I asked my husband to come with me as support. I’ll keep you updated after tomorrow’s appointment.

Barking Dog

Barking Dog

I’m home alone, while my husband is at work, and my dog, Cash, keeps barking. Every time he barks it freaks me out, especially since he’s normally so quiet. Each time he barks I get up and show him that no one is outside, the front door and the back. He calms down for a little bit, but he keeps barking about 5 minutes later. The same thing happens over and over with no one and nothing there.

I deal with auditory hallucinations regularly. When I’m at home and I hear things, I look Cash for security. If there was actually something there, he would recognize the sound and and bark at it. There’s almost never anything, so I calm down and go back to whatever I was doing. However, this evening, since Cash is barking at almost everything, I’m very anxious. I can’t wait for my husband to get home from work. I’ll feel a lot better then.

The Benefits Of Pets

The Benefits Of Pets

Pets can be extremely beneficial for all individuals, especially for those that suffer from mental health disorders. For me, my dog, Cash, helps me get up and moving. Even when I don’t want to do anything, I know I have to get up to feed Cash and let him outside. It also helps me because it gives me a reason to go out for a walk.

Cash also helps reduce my anxiety and paranoia. When I hear noises, such as a knock on the door or kids yelling outside, I know that it’s not real if my dog doesn’t react to the noises. I have auditory hallucinations quite often, and Cash helps me determine the difference between what is real and what is a hallucination. I also never feel lonely because Cash is always there to keep me company. I talk to him all throughout the day. He’s one of my closest friends.

I think it’s important for me to have a pet for these reasons and more. I’ve thought about getting an emotional support dog, that way I could have my dog and the support he brings to me everywhere I go. Some people have told me to just get a vest for Cash that says he’s an emotional support animal, but I won’t do that because it’s wrong and lying. Does anyone have a real support animal? How was the process of getting a support animal? Was it expensive?