http://www.care2.com/greenliving/chemo-or-cat.html
Chemo or Cat?
My years as a conventional and integrative veterinarian have taught me that the human-animal bond goes beyond companionship. Animals are here to be our guides and teachers, and to help us on this journey called life. The most important lesson they teach us is to love without judgment. They view us as special people, whether or not the rest of the world agrees.
Our animal companions are also here to help us heal physical and emotional ailments. I remember a very special cat named Stuart. Stuart’s guardian brought him to me for his diabetes. He told me that Stuart was a very, very gifted cat, so I had to help him. This man’s child had died from leukemia, and he believed that Stuart had given his son two more years of life. When the doctors said that his son had only weeks to live, Stuart stayed by his side night and day. He was such a comfort to the little boy. The child made a miraculous turn around, and lived another two years. Stuart’s guardian was convinced that the cat was responsible for his child’s rally.
Now the father had developed a nerve tumor, and knew that Stuart would be there for him. I just had to make him well again. (No pressure there.) I remember thinking that the doctors probably changed the child’s chemotherapy, and that while Stuart had been a wonderful companion, there was no way he was really responsible for helping the child. Now that I understand the energy of the human-animal bond, and the amazing ability of animals to help us heal, I’m not so sure. Chemo or cat? Perhaps it was a bit of both.
I’m sure many of you have heard stories of animals that wouldn’t leave a sick child or a grieving widower’s side. In the days following 9/11, the dogs brought in as comfort to the rescue workers were as important as the search and resuce dogs. I can’t forget the experience of losing a canine patient to smoke inhalation. This beautiful, young airedale pulled his toddler companion out of a burning house. The child is alive today because of his dog. Some would say I’m just anthropomorphizing — giving human qualities to an animal. Am I anthropomorphizing when I say the dog acted as any firefighter would? I don’t think so. Was it a coincidence that this particular dog came into this family’s lives? I don’t believe so. And would the airedale do it all over again? You bet he would.
Adapted from Through A Dog’s Ear: Using Sound to Improve the Health and Behavior of Your Canine Companion, Sounds True Publishing, 2007.
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51 comments
add your comment »Yes animals do make you fill much better. We love them and they love us. As most of us know, true love is the most powerful tool that we have all been blessed with. There have been many cases where
the person has made remarkable recoveries. Although, it is not always the case. There are times when we are simply called to the Heavens to do much different work then we can do on Earth. This should never be a substitute for not perusing every bit of medical and herbal/natural health aids that we can gain in order to improve our health. Remember, Doctors around the world have learned that it is best to be at home with the comforting surroundings we have including loving and caring people and animals we most cherish when we are going through troubled, sick and injured times.
Sincerely;
Mr. An-Drew Boger
9/9/'09-W.
7:56 P. M. E. S. T.
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Oh how could anyone doubt the amazing moments that animals can bring to our lives. I have 3 special cats all rescued from different situations and I can honestly say at the end of a bad day I look forward to nothing better than to coming home to them and telling them about my day! They seem to understand and react accordingly whether that be to leave me alone or come curl up beside me or meow at me incessantly until I "get the picture" and forget about my troubles!! As a veterinary nurse I see so many cats come into the clinic that not only 'belong' to a family but are 'part of' the family. Its wonderful to hear them spoken about as a family member. Cats (and other pets) should be seen as a privilege not a right and then they may get more of the respect they deserve.
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I believe.I have 2 chuuaua's Chichi and Cricket,and they adore me as much as I adore them! and,they know when I'm sad,they huddle more next to me when they know I'm feeling blue!!
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My cat, Georgie [the hurricane kitten] jumped on my breast five years ago [he'd not done it before nor has he done it since]. It left a big bruise. There was a lump in the bruise. I scheduled a mammogram just to be safe. Guess what? Breast cancer. My mother swears Georgie knew it and saved my life!
Now, I have MS. When I'm sick, MommaKitty gets up on my chest -- in my face -- and stays there. She only does it when I'm sick. I think they know a lot more than we do.
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I had a cat, named Tiger. I also had a grandmother with only one lung and asthma. My cat loved her, and when she was having a rough time breathing, he would lay on her chest. She always said he helped her breath. She believed animals could take away our illnesses. She died of cancer, and Tiger was hit by a car a year later. I will always view him as my familiar, I see him in dreams still.
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Animals are good for your health. Some people think animals are just there for display but they're capapble of so much more.
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I must agree with Black T. We still don't know enough about how animals express feelings, except when they show them as overtly as do elephants caressing bones of dead family or dolphins refusing to leave endangered family. I personally feel that our pets at home (cats, dogs, some birds and fish) love us unconditionally and we're very happy about this. It shows in their eyes first then whatever emotion they feel manifests in jumping up on us, racing around for joy when we arrive home, swimming up the side of the tank or flying around their cages, and so many other ways.
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I'm a believer. I have two cats who are constantly "worrying" about me. I was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma and started chemo back in June. They have been all over me, sleeping on my chest and checking on me all every time I lie down. I can't tell you how much love I feel from them - I feel blessed....and I am healing beautifully.
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IMy sister and I grew up with horses. dogs, cats, sheep and cows. They love uncondtionally and I know they heal and make us feel better. I had sevee depression after loosing my parents in 1996 my horses Merry Poppins and Charley brought me out of depression and I know cats can heal. I am for cat over chemo. Patricia Carroll
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I just found this quote on one of my other newsletters. I thought everyone might find it interesting:
Kutadanta accused the Buddha: "I am told that you teach the law of life and the way, yet you tear down religion. Your followers despise rituals and abandon sacrifices. But reverence for the gods can only be shown through sacrifices. The very nature of religion is that of worship and sacrifice." The Buddha replied: "Greater than the massacring of bullocks is the sacrifice of self. He who offers up his evil desires will see the uselessness of slaughtering animals at the altar. Blood has no power to cleanse, but the giving up of harmful actions will make the heart whole. Better than worshiping gods is following the ways of goodness."
- Digha Nikaya"
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