The Power of Pets
The simple act of having or interacting with a pet can do and mean so much to so many.
I can’t imagine not having a pet in my life. For as long as I remember, pets have been a part of my life and they’ve meant different things to me at various stages of my life.
What brings these thoughts to my mind?
A personal account of what and how my small dog Edie, has in my opinion, made a difference in my mother-in-law’s life.
Edie and my mother-in-law have always had a special bond. The mere mention of her name “Nana” would send Edie into a tizzy of excitement. Think dogs don’t know what day it is? Well, explain to me how Edie knows when its Sunday and her “Nana” is due for a visit? Edie would wait by the window, looking for a car to pull up and deliver her Nana to her! Edie can barely contain herself and any attempts at holding her back are frivolous!
A few months ago my mother-in-law injured herself in a fall. Sunday’s are no longer the same, and no matter how long Edie waited by the window, Nana was not coming to visit.
Nana refers to Edie as her “granddaughter,” her little “baby,” her “little star”. Now if you are a pet person, this will not strike you as odd at all. However, when you’re 90 years old, are in hospital, and you’re talking to doctor’s and nursing staff, telling them that that picture pinned up on the wall of the little black pug is your famous little granddaughter, they tend to look at you like “she’s loosing it”! Trust me, this woman is far from losing it!
After months of hospitalization, rehabilitation, and a complete shoulder replacement, my mother-in-law is settling into her new home. Unfortunately for her it’s not the home she had hoped to go back to, but a home were she can still be independent and receive the continued care and support she now requires.
What I believe is special and an important part of my mother-in-law’s new home is they understand that pets are an important part of life. They allow the residents to keep their pets with them, and of course, allow pets to visit.
And visit we did!
Edie and her Nana share a special bond
For the first time in months Edie got to visit with her Nana! This time instead of Nana coming to visit Edie, Edie was the one doing the visiting!
I don’t know who was more excited, Edie or my mother-in-law?
Going on adventures and meeting new people are at the top of Edie’s list of favourite things to do! Of course Edie wanted to look her best and donned a bright fancy bow tie.
However, when the person you are going to visit, in Edie’s case, her Nana, who has not had the best few months, and at times felt like maybe it’s just not worth it anymore, dresses up and puts on her lipstick, all because her “granddaughter” the “famous Miss Edie” is coming to visit!
Well, I think that says it all right there!
There is no one that can tell me that relationships with pets don’t make a difference!
May 4, 2017
I’m crying having read your beautiful story about the bond shared between Edie and your mother, her grandmother. Pets touch us in ways people can’t. The bonds we create with our fur-kids or with other peoples fur-kids are meaningful beyond what words can describe. I am so glad your mother is doing well now. I also love that she got dressed up and put on make up when she knew her grand-pup/granddaughter was coming for her first visit after a long break of not getting to see her. I bet they were both just as excited to see each other.
May 4, 2017
What a lovely example of the power of pets. It is amazing the difference they can make in our lives (especially pugs). How great that Edie’s Nana is now in her new home recovering and they allow pets. I am sure some Edie licks were just what the Dr ordered. Unfortunately Kilo the Pug’s 2 Nana’s live long flights away.
May 4, 2017
I loved your story about Edie and your grandmother. She’s definitely had a few hard months and a separation from Edie so it must have been quite the reunion! I bet your grandmother fixed herself up because she knew you were taking pictures too. Not sure if you know this or not but I have my mom’s dog Taffy now, 2 1/2 years ago she passed away, but in the hospital my sister Kathy brought Taffy to see her (since she’s a nurse on the floor she could get away with it). My mom was so excited to see her, sadly it was to say good bye too. Pets help the elderly to live longer I’m sure of it.
May 4, 2017
Awe, so glad Edie is still able to visit your mother-in-law in her new home. Their bond shines through in this sweet picture. Love the bow-tie!
May 4, 2017
OMG, if I didn’t adore Edie before I certainly would now!! That video is the best, so cute. What a beautiful, sweet story. Edie is probably making a huge difference in your Mother In Law’s life at this point, it’s so wonderful. My Mom had Alzheimer’s and she loved when I brought my dogs to visit, especially little Phoebe. My dogs loved her. Thanks for sharing!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
May 4, 2017
Edie just explodes with excitement when my MIL came to visit and would always bring her one of her toys as a welcome. We hope they have many more visits together.
May 3, 2017
Totally agree! My mother is a perfect example of pets making a difference. My mother never had a pet growing up and she couldn’t understand my passion and love for my cats. My sister got her a dog 9 years ago (much to my mom’s protests) and mom hasn’t been the same. Bandit is her world now and she is his. Mom says he keeps her company and gives her that unconditional love she needs. Mom told me that she now understands what I meant about loving my girls.
May 4, 2017
I love hearing this! I bet she and Bandit have a great time together!
May 3, 2017
Aww this post is so sweet and as a former pet parent I GET IT! My parents talked about my cat Dusty as their grandbaby too. So nice to see Edie and Nana together. Hope she’s finally adjusting well. I bet that visit by Edie did wonders for Nana’s moral in the new space.
May 4, 2017
Edie and her Nana can’t wait to visit with each other again!
May 3, 2017
I adore that the assisted living homes are welcoming pets. They do make such a difference. When I am older, I think I will find not having a pet to be THE MOST difficult thing to face. This brings me some comfort. Thank you!
May 4, 2017
I’ve heard many seniors don’t want to leave their homes because they don’t want to leave their pets. There needs to be more understanding with assisted living homes of how much comfort and how well people do WITH having pets.
May 3, 2017
What a cute picture of the two of them! I’m glad that Edie can visit with with Nana again. My sister’s dogs go crazy when they hear that Grandma is coming over.
May 4, 2017
It’s funny the relationships our pets make with others!
May 3, 2017
Relationships with pets make a HUGE difference. I’m so glad to hear that your Nana is going well and that her new home is pet-friendly so her grand-pug can visit! <3
May 3, 2017
LOL … yeah we have a few seniors we visit who also feel that way – they will shower, shave and get all handsome … or pretty … for a Montecristo visit!
May 4, 2017
It was so good eeing my MIL looking her best – even it was for Edie’s benefit 😉
May 3, 2017
Having someone to take care of can keep us engaged, I’m sure that is part of what Edie’s presence does for your MIL ~Dear Mishu
May 3, 2017
Nanas are the best~! Dexter loves his Grandma. She always gives him bites of her fruit and veggies as she’s making her morning smoothie. <3
May 4, 2017
Edie knows her Nana spoils her and let’s her get away with things she shouldn’t – but then that’s what Nana’s are for 🙂
May 3, 2017
Agree 1,000,000% pets make a huge difference. Edie is proving good therapy for her Grandma and is being adored as a result!
This is a gorgeous story and so full of hope. MIL – you rock lady!!!!!
May 4, 2017
My MIL definitely rocks!
May 3, 2017
So wonderful! I am glad that Nana is doing better and that she and Edie have been reunited. Pets are so important to our physical and mental wellbeing. I joke that Gonzo would rather spend time with my dad- the level of excitement is through the roof!
May 3, 2017
Aww, what a sweet story! So happy Edie got an adventure to go visit her Nana… and even more so that Nana was so excited to see Edie!
May 3, 2017
This post brought me to tears! So glad that Edie and Nana once again can visit each other.
May 3, 2017
What a beautiful story of the human-animal bond! It’s so wonderful to hear that this facility allows pets and I hope more follow suit. We’re sending Edie’s Nana lots of purrs.
May 3, 2017
A beautiful post and more proof (as if we needed any more!) the sentience of animals. I wasn’t raised with pets and my mother finds it endlessly fascinating when I tell her the animals know where they are, or know when it’s time to eat… She can’t get over it. I can’t imagine not sharing my life with animals, and I truly believe more lives would be a lot happier if they knew the joy of living with a pet. I’m sorry to hear about Edie’s nana but I’m so happy she’s in a place where they understand the importance of pets in our lives. How sad so many people who have to go into an assisted living facility, must be separated from their loved ones…no matter how many legs they have.