Is CP our identity?

PAlady, unfortuntaly, I have to go in for awhile tomorrow. I will try to keep it as brief as possible but it never fails, when the students find out I am on campus, it is like a race to see who can get to my office first. As I posted on another thread, I hope you have a very restful weekend.

Mom9mom, thanks for the encouragement. You seem to have so many responsibilities I am in awe of how you handle so much when dealing with all that goes with CP. In a month, my youngets turns 18 and her 2 older brothers are on their own. No grandkids as none are married. My wife is not ready for grandkids anyway.

My wife has an agreement with my students. She works in our office and they act as informers. If I talk about her in class, it is funny to watch them try to be the first to tell her. If I talk about her in class, she gets a shopping trip. I am so glad that a shopping trip for her is not a buying trip. I try to keep my identity shaped around my family as much as I can. With the CP for 11 years, there were many things that I was not able to do with them so I had to find other ways to make the time I had special for each. Blessings on you. I hope you don't read this till morning. That would mean that sleep has visited you.   

FatherJohn if you read what I did about the animals it was a puppy mill that just got shut down. They had 300 small dogs rescued. Thank you Lord for looking out for our furry friends. My dogs are a great comfort to me. At times its difficult caring for them but we manage. They do give an unconditional love.

PA, you are still sharp and all those things. Give yoursef some credit lady. Hugs to all Susie

Palady,

I hope I don't lose what I write, because my internet keeps cutting out. But I just wanted to say how proud I am of you for spending time at the humane society! I know that that is a huge effort for you & not easy to do. You're right, that even though the cats you are visiting are not kittens, playing with them still involves a lot of bending down and moving around, and I'm sure is painful for you! The cat's can't put it into words, but I know that they thank you for being there for them! I too have seen some animal abuse first hand, and read about & watched much more on tv. It is so horrible that someone could mistreat an animal, when they offer us nothing but love. I am often amazed by the capacity for love and forgiveness that these animals have. Abused animals especially, often have a special place in their new owners' hearts. You will often hear someone who has taken in an abused animal comment on how devoted these animals are to them, despite all the horrible things they were put through by human beings.

It is so wonderful that you are helping these animals to heal both emotionally & physically, and to learn to trust again! It sounds like you are forming a special bond with these two kitties. How I wish I could help you out so that you could take them home and continue to show them the love they deserve! People like you are truly angels to these animals.

Animals are so empathetic, understanding, and loving. I don't know what I would do without my animals! I am so thankful for them every day, and I miss them terribly when I am at school. They, like nothing else, have helped me to keep going despite the pain & heartache. I will especially never forget the special & amazing bond that I had with one horse. I cannot even begin to put our relationship into words. For ten years we took care of each other. He watched over me, and I watched over him. He suffered from a devastating respiratory condition for the last five years of his life, and wouldn't let anyone but me take care of him. I got him through the worst of things & saved his life more times that I can count when others were ready to give up, but he has done even more for me. Our hearts and souls touched & became one. He has been gone nearly a year and a half now, and I still find myself feeling empty. I don't think that void will ever go away. No one, or nothing can compare to the love we had for each other. Sometimes I can still feel him. I know that he is here with me, urging me forward, even though his soul has left this earth. But what I give to be able to hug him again, to throw my arms around his neck & bury my face in his sweet mane. He helped me through so much. It is partly because of him that I want to devote my life to animals - to helping those who can't always fight back, and to return some of the love and care that they show us. So, thank you Palady, & others like you, from the bottom of my heart, for helping to give a voice to the animals & showing them the love they deserve!

Skeye

Palady,

You hit it right on. I absolutely agree that animals have spirits too! Anyone who says that animals do not have personalities nor emotions has obviously never spent any time with animals! Even the (hundred or so) snakes I work with have their own personalities! It is quite remarkable.

The horse that I had such a special & unique bond to was actually not even mine. I have wanted a horse forever & ever, but we do not have enough money to support one (this is one of my life long goals, to have horses). This was actually my neighbors' horse, but my neighbors are in their late 70's & so I started helping them out with taking care of & exercising the horses, especially this one. This horse quickly became "mine" (they would even refer to him as "skeye's horse"), which was great, except that when it came down to it, because he was not legally mine, there were some decisions that I could not make. I did my best to advise my neighbors, and they usually listened to me, but towards the end of his life, there were some decisions that were made that I would have made very differently & could do nothing about, so that was quite hard. I still kick myself about things from time to time, even though I had no control. They have since gotten a new horse, but I cannot bring myself to go over there much anymore (not that I'm around much anyway). I'm afraid that I will get attached to him too & I know that I cannot go through that same thing again. It would kill me; it was just too heartbreaking. I'll just have to wait until I eventually get my own horses, whenever that may be.

Sorry for getting off topic.

Skeye

Pete, Welcome back. Some of us were wondering how you were doing. We had not heard from you since Friday. Just wanted to make sure you were doing ok. You apparently have a special place in your life for animals. I understand that you don't get to see them as often as you would like. How do your animal friends help shape your identity? It is good to hear from you.

Skeye & Pete,

Animals no doubt are important to people that have relationship with them. My daughter, as I mentioned in another thread, is turning 18 in a month. Her life would not be complete without her horse. We don't have any property and she has to board about 5 miles away. She goes out right now daily to spend time riding and working with her horse. She has never been on a date and would prefer spending time with her horse and dog. This a vital part of her identity. She wants to be a Vet. Tech. and will probably start college classes soon. I know some guy will come along one of these days but he had better like horses or he won't stay around long.

For many people animals play an important part of their lives. The pets help fill voids that people have to bring completeness and happines. This is an essential part of identity for some. When I was a chaplain at a hospital, we had a man who was dying and would not get to leave the hospital. What he wanted most was to spend time with his companion, a small dog. Back then it was against policy to bring a dog into the hospital but I snuck the little dog into his room and told the nurses that he should not disturb him as we were dealing with a very important issue. I am sure tha nurses knew what I did and the honored it.

Thanks for your posts about what helps you face the issues of life. Blessings to both.   

FatherJohn and Gang good afternoon;

 

I have really had a funky week. We have had the rain that was despartely needed and the temps dropped from the 80's to the 30's. This did wonder for the body. The gray days worked on the mental aspect of things. As a result I had a terribly unproductive week. I would have been happy curled in a ball under the covers. I am a sunshine person that needs it daily, artifical light does not do the trick for me. My batteries are at an all time low. Weather is suppose to be in the 70's with sunshine tomorrow and I will out there in it like an old dog,lol. I have a pump refill in the AM and I am hoping I get a small increase in the pump.

 

Our animals, oh, I just don't know where I would be without my two guys and girl. Even at the darkest times they comfort me. They are alot of work for me but the pleasure and comfort is unmeasurable. I have had dogs and cats, usually one cat at a time for the past 20 yrs. They are such a part of our lives. My husband who has always had hunting dogs, has mellowed so much over the years when it comes to these guys. I really think its funny because the two newest additions were his doing not mine. He always said its a good thing a cow never showed up at the door because he feared I would take it in too.

 

PA I think it wonderful you are going to your shelter and loving on the furry friends. Since you like cats so much I am so sure if they could talk they would tell you thank you for being there. You are making a big difference in their lives you know.  My sister is disabled and has 5 cats. No she did not take in 5 cays on her own. Her worthless daughter dumped her cats on her and being a softie she could not take them to the pound. Its a struggle for her to care for these guys and the expense that goes along with having them. She does love them and the comfort is great. She gets worried over getting down and not being able to care for them.

 

I am glad to hear that you slowed a little over the weekend FatherJohn, you need alot more. Two weeks ago I started a project of hand pulling the weeds in my front yard before spraying it. The weather got in my way so its not finished. Maybe two hours at best is left, my yard looked terrible. I got everyones weeds this spring. My yard has never looked this bad. I have neighbors on each side that do not believe in weed control but at least they mow. The one forgets he has this nice size backyard that should be mowed and the huge weeds that have grown over a 6 ft fence need to be taken out. I battle his weeds in both my front & back yard. I usually go in his yard and try to spray weed killer on the fence line. I will tell you this work was not easy. I had to take pain pills before I could even start out each day. The first day I did not do this and paid more than dearly for it. My old knees swelled the size of grapefruits. But, the object for me was to do something constructive and be outside in the sun at the same time. I do push myslef always have. I could not sit on a low stool and do this because of the bending involved. I did use severals thick pieces of foam to cushion my knees somewhat. Can't sit on the ground directly either. I did get smart this time and take several breaks in this work. My yard looks so much better, even with the patch by the gate that is left to do. My intent is to get my neighbor boy to scalp the yard down & bag it, spray for weeds and hit it hard with fertilizer. That will help get it back in shape. I only bag once in the beginning of the season. The rest of the time it mulched by the wower. I have a teenage boy a couple of doors up that does mowing. He is a real good kid. I can get him to help me outside with various things and I always pay him. His Mom says no on the money, but its like I told her let him work and earn the money because I would have to pay someone else for the work and I would much rather pay him. So, she gave in on letting me pay him. I am so excited to see if spring is truly on the way. I need to get out and see if any of the mesquite trees are blooming thats how we know if the cold weather is gone for good is by the mesquite trees.lol. I do have many flowers blooming and bulbs coming up. At least they think its spring.lol.

 

Lets all hope for sunshine tomorrow and lpd today. Hugs to all, Susie

Well Gang, I have been notified that the forum rules state that this thread has gone past the allowed length of pages. While on the one hand, it is difficult to close out the many wonderful and wisdom filled posts, it goes to show that there was and continues to be a need to examine this topic. So at this point, this thread will be closed and we will look forward to a new one. Thanks to all who added their thoughts and also to those who have read and have been touched. Blessings!