We have four cats and a dog who have been a blessing to my Mom. When she first moved in with us, I was very nervous that she would fall or trip over one of them, but they seem to know to either get out of the way or Not Move!

One cat, the last one in (and a rescue) was always the at the bottom of the cat household totem pole (people with cats will know what I mean!) ~ well, he has become "Mom's Cat", don't know what I'd do without him ~ he shows up every night to lay on her lap while she watches TV. She pets him, kisses him, loves on him and sings to him.

She cant' remember his name or what he looks like, but if he's late a few minutes ~ she misses him and asks for him.

I was very hesitant about taking in another cat (this was 6 years ago) and thought three cats was the limit, but I now feel this cat chose us for a reason ~ he is the best therapy for my Mom.

The clincher is --- she never in all her 85 years ever had a cat! Got to love the furry ones!

I know EXACTLY what you mean, in every respect.

We have 5 cats!!! and ONE Chihuaha.

Dad in law bought the dog while mom in law was still alive, and he has relied on that little dog for a source of comfort, an anchor if you will, through all of these terrible events.

I owe my sanity to tht little dog and all those cats.

Before he moved in with us, the dog got very little activity, was nervous around everyone, and was malnourished. Being the good Greek houehold that we are, we fattened the Chihuaha up immediately

The dog, in turn, loves to play with the cats, and gets more exercise than ever before.

It has turned into a very happy cycle in which we all get energy from one another. That little dog brings a joyous spirit to everyone, animal and human alike.

They truly ARE part-time care-givers, to a certain extent. Could never replace human hands and thought, but absolutely provide needed respite.

Lflood,

Your chihuahua sounds like he's been a blessing to you and your family AND had some "family" therapy himself! Food, exercise and cats to play with! Heaven!

I hope no one took me seriously about animals caregiving, but I've found with the cat (and the other pets in the house) my Mom seems content and peaceful around them. She can talk to them and they don't judge her.

A few years prior to my Grandma's AD, she had a cat that she loved so much. That kitty had to be euthanized and my Grandma was beyond devastated and swore that the pain of losing that cat was not worth getting another pet- ever.
After I moved in with her, I had two cats and she didn't want them in her apartment. I didn't know what to do with my cats one was unadoptable due to physical deformities and the other was really really shy and I couldn't see her adjusting to new people. So I actually paid rent for a separate apartment for an entire year for the cats to live in and we went and visited them often. When the lease was up, I talked to my Grandma about putting my two cats to sleep because I really couldn't afford to pay rent for my cats. She had come to really like them and said that they could come and live with us.
The shy cat took to my Grandma which was really unbelievable considering the fact that this cat would hide for hours on end whenever I had company in the past. Whenever my Grandma was upset, she'd pet this cat for hours and hours and the cat would sit there. My Grandma could cover the cat with a blanket and the cat would allow it, though she didn't look too pleased about it. They had an amazing relationship for three and a half years. This past February, that kitty had to be euthanized as well. Being that my Grandma didn't handle the death of her other kitty before the AD, I couldn't imagine her being able to grieve this cat with her AD. So, I went and got another cat that was the same color, but a little bigger. This cat is a lot younger and isn't as comforting to my Grandma, but she's definitely good company for my Grandma. My Grandma has a UTI right now and she'll get mad at me and cuss me out (due to the UTI) and nothing I can say or do will calm her down, but when the kitty comes around, my Grandma is as calm and sweet as can be to the kitty. Thank God for pets.

My mom loves her 2 dogs and this has been the hardest part of her being placed - they couldn't go with her. They can visit, though, so I take them both often and she cries when she sees them. Both of them have adapted their behavior with her throughout her illness. They were very spunky when she was more active and have become very quiet now. When I take them to the NH, she will lie in bed and they cuddle with her. When she is focused on me, they sleep or lie on her bed until she wants them again.

I see so many pets in nursing homes. They are good therapy for many patients. --Jim

I know with my mother, her cat is more important to her than me. I pray everyday that he outlives her. He's always been her favorite. The best we can guess, he's about 20 years old. He came to her as a stray kitten about the time she retired which was about 20 year ago.

As I write this, they're asleep together with him curled up next to her.

As for the number of animals, my mother is down to three cats from a high of 10-12 dogs and cats.

BTW, she has broken both hips tripping over Shetland Sheepdogs before she had any dementia problems. She just fell hard on hard floors.

Pets are the most amazing therapy. The only time my mother calms down is when the dog therapist comes for a visit. Animals have a certain sense and they know how to comfort.

I have a neighbor chihuahua that I sometimes watch. She is a rescue. She is the most amazing dog. When I would bring her to my mother's, she would just jump onto my mother's lap and cuddle with her. My mother would be in her glory. Of course when I had to take little Lupe away, my mother would be mad at me for DAYS!

My dog on the other hand became afraid of my mother. I have no idea why, but he really started backing away from her and actually seemed afraid of her. It would upset my mother so. I did bring him with me once to visit her in her prior ALF, but he was so car sick. He did give her a great greeting and she screamed with joy when she saw him.

My mother during the last year she was home was begging me for a dog. I just couldn't get her a dog because there was no way she could take care of it and I brought my dog there every day. I really didn't want a second dog. I desperately tried talking her into having a cat, but she wouldn't go for it. Cats can be so soothing and comforting. I'm almost kicking myself now because I wonder if I did get her a cat, it would have possibly slowed down the progression of the disease. I know it's not really possible, but a cat sure could have comforted her and maybe made her less aggressive and less scared.

My two dogs never leave my mom. It's like they know something is wrong. When mom came home from rehab after hip surgery and would try to get out of bed at night, my Nellie would start barking. The only problem I have is she is always trying to feed them. I have to keep my eye on her, once she gave my Coco one of her pills. Had to call poision control. They told me what to do, and all is well.

Marj,
Don't beat yourself up. Maybe a cat would have been comforting, maybe it would have irriated her more (some people are just not cat lovers). You're really good to your Mom and you do a lot for her well-being and happiness.

My late mom and I had two cats. One took up residence in my room and the other went to mom.
He was on her no matter what and would not leave her along. Ironically when I had to put my favorite one down, my mom took it really hard and it started her on her decline. My mom loved those cats and they her. Gpood luck with the animals and mom.

quote:

Originally posted by jellybeans:

After I moved in with her, I had two cats and she didn't want them in her apartment. I didn't know what to do with my cats one was unadoptable due to physical deformities and the other was really really shy and I couldn't see her adjusting to new people. So I actually paid rent for a separate apartment for an entire year for the cats to live in and we went and visited them often. When the lease was up, I talked to my Grandma about putting my two cats to sleep because I really couldn't afford to pay rent for my cats. She had come to really like them and said that they could come and live with us.

What a great story! I'll remember this the next time I wonder if I'm about to do something too extreme for my LO.

ups,

You are so right! We have 4 housecats & 1 - Oliver - has become a therapy cat. He's huge & very mellow - too big for a cat carrier, he travels in a wicker basket (like the kind you put fruit in, only bigger).

I used to take him to exMIL's apartment & she'd visit with him for hours. When she was in the private Board&Care, I took him there. They had some sort of pet therapy of their own, but it was a barking slipper. Oliver was bigger than him & quiet!

Now that exMIL has been transferred to SNF, I take him there. He is one of the few things that elicits a positive reaction from her (she's late Stage 7).

And you know what? These cats are every bit as good a therapy for me as Oliver is to my exMIL.

Oh - this so hits home for me......animals are extremely therapeutic....for everyone.

My cats get me thru the anger or hurt as soon as I come home. My folks have a cat but my dad keeps her in her room (the basement) They are old school - the cats always go into their room at night...lol

For me here - my cats room is my room....they are amazing. I could go on and on about them but I won't. But each and everyone of them is special in their own way and I find them very relaxing after a frustrating day.

And besides - there are dogs (maybe other animals I don't know) that are trained to alert people of seizures and other medical conditions that can be a life-saving skill) So why not help an AD patient.
Kathy

Becky good to see you popping in. My cats have gotten me through the hardest part of life. One of my boys decided it was time to leave me when my husband was putting me through FTD hell. I told my boy that I need him some much and begged him to stay. With much tender care and many tears he is still here with me.

My Mother absolutely loves her little terrier mix breed, even more than ME!

I once referred to the little rascal as "the dog", Mom didn't care for that one bit.
She's always thinking the k9 has some sort of ailment that of course needs immediate attention.
If I tell her that he is fine, she won't believe me. I've even taken her to the vet with me and "the dog" so she can see for herself that nothing is wrong, but that only lasts until about 3/4 of the way home.

Franco, pet food stores have a package of "pill pockets" that are little treats that you can hide a pill in. My cat loved the pill pockets as treats (they come in little bags for cats or dogs). Maybe when mom is concerned you could say yes, the vet said to give him/her these pills, and give the dog one of the "treats." Maybe ?????
Marie

quote:

Originally posted by LittleRed:
Franco, pet food stores have a package of "pill pockets" that are little treats that you can hide a pill in. My cat loved the pill pockets as treats (they come in little bags for cats or dogs). Maybe when mom is concerned you could say yes, the vet said to give him/her these pills, and give the dog one of the "treats." Maybe ?????
Marie

I have to laugh at this suggestion. My dog gets two pills a day, he has a bad back. I used to put the pills in the pill pockets, but my dog was so smart that he would eat the pill pockets, actually suck off the pill pockets and spit out the pill. I used up the rest of the pill pockets as treats - no pills in them.

Yeah, those pill pockets make darn good treats. They were the only treat my Petey would eat. I laughed out loud at the picture in my mind of your dog sucking the pill pockets. LOL, LOL
Marie

Our cats are an important part of our caregiving too. They provide routine and activity and also give Laurette a sense that she is needed and loved. Those are all really important things. They have become so important, in fact, that I refused to let them die.

During the course of my caregiving we unfortunately had 2 cats die, both hit by cars I think. They were about a year apart, and both times I immediately replaced it with one that looked more or less identical. Laurette never knew, and she never had to deal with their death. She loves the new ones just like they are the old ones.

The director at our NH also has a tiny terrier who comes to work with her. He has a bed in her office, but he spends most of the time with the residents. If someone is crying or upset, he sits in their lap and they pet him until the upset is over.

OMG YES! The aunt has two little poodles that are ancient. That's another reason we choose to have her with us instead of in a home. Our animals=2 dogs and 6 cats. When she's over here we've noticed they ALL,at some point while she's here, go to sit with her...like they know somethin' just ain't right with her. It makes her smile and us too. One of our dogs is a mix of dobey and rot, and maybe shepherd, weighs about 90 pounds. He's a hysterically entertaining goofy kinda dawg and uses his huge head as a hand. He'll lay his huge head in her lap and MAKE her pet him. Then if she's sitting in a chair instead of on the couch he'll LEAN against her like he's comforting her. All the while her two dogs are cuddled next to her. Personally, I couldn't imagine not have cats and dogs surrounding me. They add so much to our lives. Comfort, humor, love, support, companionship, etc. Life would be so empty without them.

DH, MIL and I were at Lowes the other day and I always make sure I get to go out and look at plants, so as we were going into the plant area and a man, a little older than I, and his dog walked by. I thought it was a solid looking standard poodle, not coifed like a poodle and I asked what breed...he was a golden retriever/poodle...beautiful dog...anyway the point of this long diatribe...we were talking about the healing effect of animals...turns out this man has arthritis in his hands and nothing helps the pain in the morning when he first wakes up...UNTIL he pets his dog!!!

We've added a new dog to our family. My neice couldn't keep him where she moved. It's supposed to be temporary but I doubt very much that she will come back and get him. It's been two months and she hasn't even visited him or dropped by the promised food...but I don't think DH would let him go now...it was love at first sight!!!

He's a beagle/dachshund mix...several of you have joked about beagles...fill me in...he's certainly a character.

He joins our other 4 fur babies...70lb big dog, 11lb little dog and the heads of house the 2 cats. There is never a dull moment here, I promise you and they, along with this forum, make being a caregiver possible.

You guys never cease to amaze me.....I have read all the posts since my last one and all I cna say is KUDO's to you all

My cats are my lifeline (seriously) - they know when I'm PO'd or angered or frustrated, etc.....and come to me when they know I need it. I just wish my dad would allow his cat up and around - that cat was mom's. The only person she'd love-up to.

But he has a full plate and does not neglect the cat - he just looks at her as one more thing to take care of and he is over that.

My mom was discharged today and the aid was there to help get her home. Dad had called her. She is amazing. When my cell rang - I got the feeling of dread but answered....dad said mom was home and appeared to be doing ok.....Gina (the aid) was there helping. Instant relief....but guilt.

He talked to my son and they hung up. 10 mins later he calls me back - wanting to know if I could come over tonight to help him feed and get mom to bed. I had things going and told him my son could help. He said no - so I can't do it? He forgets what it is I got oging on and can't let it go any longer. I asked him to ask Gina if she could come tonight (which she has offered to do time and time again) He was like OK, fine, she's here now. And that was it.

I know he has the help available and I am not a bad daughter for wanting to get my house back in order.....but I can't do it all.

His main concern was his not being able to "disrobe" my mother in front of my son. After laughing at the words he used...I was like he's 19 not 9.......he will get over it (I did)

I am straying from the pets issue - I know - but moms cat would alwys calm her down - relax her.....to the point where he could get her to drink or eat.......but then one day he decided having the cat run thru the house was an ordeal he didn't want to deal with. I understood. They always sent our cats to their "room" at night so this is not new. Me.......I have to have them with me - at all times.

I'm beating my head against the wall since dad doesnt' see my way of thinking. I', not mad at him - just frustrated. If he could only remember how calming the cat was.

Prime example, my oldest "baby" will be 13 soon - he used to always sleep with me - then he would stop and start and then just stopped. Figuring he thought I had enuf other fur-kids with me. Well about 2 weeks ago - he started back to sleeping on my bed and not running when I got into it at night. It took him about 1 day to head butt my face and do the kitty-kneading on my belly. It's like he KNEW - my mam is stressed and need some lovin'.

He was right and he has been doing it every night now for 2 weeks and I am overjoyed.

Just my opinion - animals are worth a lot more than we give them credit for.

Kathy