Saturday 16 August 2014

Our Therapy Dog

Time is such a strange thing - it can go so slowly, but fly at the same time.  It's so hard to believe it's almost three years since Noah passed away.  Three years! That sounds like forever, and it also feels like forever since Noah and Aaron were here, but it doesn't feel like they have been gone for three years. 

When I look back and think about all the things that have happened over the past three years, I'm proud of where we've come.  It's been really hard, and it still is, but we are doing okay.  We are probably doing more than okay, considering what we've been through.   We have done so much in the last three years, and one thing Aaron would definitely be loving, and also laughing about is that we have a dog. 

It's now been a year since we got Milly.  I swear that every day I look at her and still can't believe we have a dog! The biggest dog hater has a dog! I've turned into a dog appreciator.  I still don't think I can say that I love dogs, but I do get why people do. I'm just not an animal person. I do love Milly, but still think that having a dog is a pain at times.  I just hate that we can't just pack up and go somewhere without having to wonder what we will do with Milly (thanks Alison for always being our dog sitter) and hate all the gross stuff that goes along with having a dog which don't even need mentioning.

At least a couple of times a week Jay will say to me how much he loves Milly and how grateful he is that we have her.  He says he doesn't know what he would do without her, and I can see how good she has been for all of us.   I have no doubt that the boys wouldn't be doing as well as they are, if we didn't have Milly. 

When I considered getting a dog, I was worried that I would end up doing all the work and of course it has ended up that way.  I know I could pester the boys to do more, but it's just easier to do it myself and she really isn't hard to look after.

I love that she doesn't shed and I think that's the only way I would ever cope with a dog.  The downfall is that she needs trimming regularly, and being a single Mum (and a cheapskate)  I would much rather do it myself, than pay someone every six weeks to trim her.   It's such a big job as I don't want to shave her (I figure why buy a cute dog if they look like a skinned rat half the time?!) so it takes over an hour to trim her with scissors, as I like to let her off her lead now and then so she can have a run, as I don't want to make trimming day too traumatic for her.
Aaron was always very affectionate so when Milly follows me around day and night, I joke with Jay that Milly reminds me of his Dad.   She is obsessed with me and has to be right where I am. If she's sitting near me, she has to have her head laying on my leg.  It is nice to have her around on my day off work.  She loves keeping me company, and I feel guilty if I have to go out and do jobs all day. 

If I finish work early, Milly is so excited to see me and can't wait to get inside to follow me around all afternoon.  She knows when school is about to finish as our street gets busy with cars, and she will stare out the window, waiting for the boys to come home.
She loves playing with the boys and will bait them to run around the lounge room with her.  She will jump at them and wait fort them to chase her and will then go crazy for the next ten minutes.  The other night I videod them as they were playing, and couldn't stop laughing.  I hate my voice and laugh, but it was too funny not to share.
Getting a dog was definitely one of those hard and big decisions I have had to make in the last three years, but it has been a good one.   She has been the best therapy for all of us.

11 comments:

  1. Dogs are awesome and are such good therapy. Milly is such a cute dog. If circumstances were different I would have a dog in a heart beat. We used to have a scruffy dog called Milly who was in the stage play Annie. Your Milly is gorgeous.

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  2. When my husband first passed away 4 months ago, I thought about getting a dog, but then realized my toddler is probably good enough for now. I can see, however, that in the future my 3 boys (and my daughter too!) would really benefit from having a dog. My husband was an animal-lover, but like you, I am not! Maybe one day! Your dog is so cute! Keep being strong and inspiring. You inspire me all the way here in Boise, Idaho! Thank you! You are AWESOME!!!

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    1. I'm sorry to hear about your husband. I hope you're doing okay. Those early days are really hard. Lots of love xx

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  3. Oh my gosh that clip is a hoot!

    I love dogs and have had one since I was 8. They are the most loving and compassionate of animals. Great company too! I am so glad you got her, the boys so obviously adore her.

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  4. Sometimes I like to pat her just to convince myself that she does indeed not shed!! I love that!! Lol.

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  5. There's just something about dogs, isn't there?! Just when you think, "Urgh, why are you here?" they do something super cute which reminds you just how much joy they bring to our lives.

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    1. Yeah that's for sure. Half the time I'm growling at her and the other half snuggling with her :)

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  6. Oh, wow, Milly can really jump!

    My parents have two golden retrievers and mum takes them each week to visit a school for children with special needs. The kids love it! A couple of years ago one of the classes even created a book for mum, drawing their own pictures of the dogs and adding some photos. It was so touching! The dogs love it, too - they go home exhausted from all of the cuddles and attention.

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  7. Came across your story by chance. You are wonderful, strong, inspirational lady. I hope the best days of your past are the worst days of your future. Looking forward to following your fantastic journey. Louise - Ireland

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  8. Lisa, we said that we would never.....never.....never, get another dog. But, now we have Blue, a 100lb Golden Retriever. I know he is the reason our little boy started to talk. I just have to remind myself of that every time I am sweeping up the bags of dog hair

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  9. Several years ago, I had a miscarriage. Though it wasn't my first miscarriage, it was more difficult to deal with. Three days later, the baby who lived 2 doors down from us passed away. He was a healthy, 6 month old boy. In my mind, I had no right to "mourn" my miscarriage when my neighbors had so much more to grieve. So I pushed away my grief. Months later, it hit me like a cement truck! I was talking to a friend, fawning over her poodle puppies when she told me that having her dog filled a certain void, healed a certain hurt inside for her. Of course, why didn't I think of that! At that moment, I knew I had to get a dog. That's when we got a poodle, Maggie - my "healing" dog. And she did just what my friend said she would do. She was a rescue dog and got very sick when we'd had her about 3 years and we put her down. It's amazing. Obviously, she didn't replace the babies I lost, but she did give me a small something and made my grief easier. She helped heal my heart.
    I'm glad you have Milly and I'm glad she has been such a help, made such a difference in your and your boys lives.

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We are so grateful for everyone's love and support, and appreciate your comments xoxo

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