Feline Friday #92| Friendly Fill-Ins

It’s time for Feline Friday, hosted by Sandee from Comedy Plus!

When we bought the new sofa a year ago, Jackie didn’t like it. It took some weeks before she accepted it, and when she joined us, she had very strict rules concerning the dogs and us humans watching TV or using mobile devices. 

Well, she still makes it clear there is nothing more important than her when and if she wants a cuddling session, but she became more relaxed around her doggy companions. It’s very rare she hisses at them. She just does what she wants to do, and mostly the dogs don’t even bat an eye. I think the furbabies respect each other, and they know there is enough space and love for all of them. We humans couldn’t ask for more, and we enjoy our time together on the sofa so much. It’s a wonderful feeling being surrounded by so much peace and love. 

Friendly Fill-Ins

I again participate in the Friendly Fill-Ins, hosted by Four-LeggedFurballs and 15andmeowing. So here we go:

1. I learned perseverance the hard way. I’m not a very patient person, but sometimes the only way out of a difficult time is keeping it together and battling through. I hope I never forget this lesson.

2. Everyone should love an animal at least once in their lives. The bond that can form between humans and animals is magic, and the love animals can give us is very special.

 

3. Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what our life will be like after the Corona pandemic. I’m sure some things have changed forever. 

 

4. I’ll never be too old to “oh” and “ah” over furbabies! I will never outgrow this, or at least I hope so.

 

 

 

To do or not to do…

Sometimes I can be a little bit dense and the penny really takes its time to drop. But better  late than never!

During my inpatient stay 2018, we had this really great art therapist. He was spot on all the time.

Once he said to a fellow patient: ” You are responsible for everything you DO, and for everything you DO NOT DO.”

This stuck with me. I realised I tried to get away with a lot of things, that I was very quick in finding an explaniation or an excuse. 

This has really changed, and it feels good to hold myself accountable. Sometimes I’m too good at this, because I often try to explain the behavior and mistakes of others with what I did or didn’t do.

A few days ago, I finally understood the other side of this coin. Yes, I’m responsible for everything I do or do not do. But the others are responsible for everything they do or do not do as well. This was very liberating realization. 

An example: There was a birthday in the family, I sent a text message. I could see the message had been read, but I didn’t get an answer. This would have really driven me nuts, I would have spend hours asking myself what I’d done wrong. This time I just mentally shrugged my shoulders – it was out of my hands anyway, and the other person had to decide for herself what she was doing or not doing. Handing responsibility over to those who really have to carry it.

By the way: Everything is fine, I got an response, just a few days later, and we had a nice chat. The important thing is I found a good way to deal with this situation. I will not stop holding myself accountable for my actions, but I will be mindful to bear just my part of responsibility.

Thankful Thursday #46

The Thankful Thursday Blog Hop is hosted by Brian from Brian’s Home. He encourages us to say what we are thankful for today.

Today I am thankful for the rain we had in the last days. The cooler weather is so much more pleasant, and nature needed it. Our dog granny enjoys the refreshing temperatures as well, and it’s so good to see her having fun when we take our daily walks. Our cat isn’t so fond of the humidity of course, but she will to have until it’s her term again 🙂

Have a wonderful day!

Stapleless again

Sam always is a sensitive und nervous dog. This was even worse last week. It was a hard time for all of us. The wounds must have itched really bad, Sam always tried to lick them. When we made him wear the cone he couldn’t reach them, but he was also very depressed and barely moved. When he didn’t wear the cone, we had to be very careful that he leaves the wounds alone and were very tense. On top of all of this, he didn’t want to take his meds, and the vet had prescribed antibiotics and pain killers… Well, at least the pain med was a syrup and easier to swallow for him.

However, the wounds healed well, and today the staples were removed. Since then Sam is much calmer and his usual self again. Let’s hope there will be no further complications.

Therapy 2.0

Because of the Corona-situation, group therapy has been cancelled until further notice. Our therapist offers single video calls to keep in touch. At first I didn’t feel comfortable with it, would I be able to get it right?

Turned out there was nothing to worry about. It’s quite simple, you just need a PC/notebook/tablet/smartphone with camera and microphone. I logged in and waited in a virtual waiting room until my therapist started the session.

Our therapist has lots of experience with video calls and was very confident and cool, and I just needed to follow his lead. Soon it was like we really were sitting in a room together.

He asked if I ever had buried my disere to have children in a symbolic way (no, I didn’t). He asked what the child’s name would have been (our favorite name for a girl was Amanda: Starts with an A like my husband’s name and is latin, like my name). We quickly came up with the idea to bury a pacifier chain with this name. I am not ready for this yet, but I like this, despite all the pain. My therapist encouraged me to wait until the time is right and not to rush it. But I can’t get this out of my head, and I am sure I will follow through with it.

The video call lasted 50 minutes, like a normal single therapy session. After that I had enough to think about. Wednesday afternoon we will have our next video call. This time I know what it will be like and will be more relaxed.

Feline Friday #81| Friendly Fill-Ins

It’s time for Feline Friday, hosted by Sandee from Comedy Plus!

I know not everybody agrees with that, but our cats always were allowed to join us in our bed. There have never been any negative consequences, but the snuggle time was (and is) enjoyed very much by all. Kittens were born there, and Sammy died at this place – life happened.

On the other hand, the dogs are denied access to our bed, they have wonderful dog beds near our big bed, though. I want Jackie to know there is a place that is just for her and her humans. She gets the message, and our bed is the place where she stays most of the time (when she isn’t outside, of course).

Friendly Fill-Ins

I again participate in the Friendly Fill-Ins, hosted by Four-LeggedFurballs and 15andmeowing. So here we go:

1. I know spring is almost here when this special windy, wet and mild weather arrives in February or March.

2. I find the many lies confusing people often tell each other. The truth may not always be nice, but denying it doesn’t help.

3. I have a strong opinion on animal protection. They have feelings, they feel pain as we do, so I accept no excuses where this is concerned.

4. Miso soup is the strangest thing I have ever eaten. Miso is a japanese spice made from soybeans, grain, salt and mold, and is has a very unique taste.

Thankful Thursday #35

The Thankful Thursday Blog Hop is hosted by Brian from Brian’s Home. He encourages us to say what we are thankful for today.

Today I am thankful for the therapists and doctors that taught me pain management. Pain management may be tricky, but it can be learned.

Yesterday I was in a lot of back pain, and I was grateful for every tool in my tool box. These tools didn’t lessen the pain per se, but I felt in control all the time and was able to go on with my life. My stress level was tolerable. Good pain management includes body, mind and soul, and it is more than popping pills.

But I wouldn’t know all these things without my wonderful team, and I am so grateful for having them in my life.

Feline Friday #77 | Friendly Fill-Ins Week

It’s time for Feline Friday, hosted by Sandee from Comedy Plus!

A few weeks ago I told you about Sammy, and how she liked to hide in our sports bags.

Well, like mother, like daughter. Our sports bags were standing open in the bedroom, so they could dry. I hadn’t seen Jackie for a few hours and went looking for her (I check on the furbabies on a regular basis, I like to know they are well). I looked everywhere, I didn’t find her and I got worried… Then I went to the bedroom again, and found her lying in my husband’s bag. The bag is black, so Jackie was difficult to see, and she never had been hiding there before. Obviously she had been sleeping, she looked at me like “Why are you running through the house and calling my name all the time?! I just want to take a nap!” My husband just groaned “Cat hair even in my gym bag…” when I told him. But of course we love her anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Friendly Fill-Ins

I again participate in the Friendly Fill-Ins, hosted by Four-LeggedFurballs and 15andmeowing. So here we go:

1. My favorite quote is “Just remember, you can do anything you set your mind to, but it takes action, perseverance, and facing your fears” by the wonderful Gillian Anderson. It’s so important to really go after your dreams and not give up easily.

2. My favorite part of February is my husband’s birthday! He will turn 50 this year, and we will celebrate with family and friends.

3. A little known fact about me is that I am afraid of being rejected by people, because I always tell the truth as I see it.

4. When an animal that has given up on humans starts trusting you and loving you back – this is the most rewarding experience in the world.

Feline Friday #76 | Friendly Fill-Ins Week

It’s time for Feline Friday, hosted by Sandee from Comedy Plus!

Sorry, this picture is blurry because Jackie won’t let me get nearer with my mobile, and I had to take this picture through the glass door… Cats…

It doesn’t matter the terrace doesn’t look the same anymore since we had worked on it last summer, Jackie still prefers the same spot in the right corner. I think it’s because she can overlook the garden from there. She insists on doing this even in the winter, at least three times a day. Not that here is much to see or to guard, the dogs have made it pretty clear this garden is ours. But she always looks so serene and calm when she sits there, so we let her. Whatever makes her happy 🙂

Friendly Fill-Ins

I again participate in the Friendly Fill-Ins, hosted by Four-LeggedFurballs and 15andmeowing. So here we go:

1. I am particular about what I see on TV. Once I have seen gruesome things, they stay on my mind for a long time, and this can cause great distress.

2. My main goal in life is to take care of my loved ones, two- and four-legged.

3. Seeing my husband for the first time is a moment I will never forget. At least I hope so!

4. Have you ever heard of the ability of pets to keep their humans healthy?

Thankful Thursday #33

The Thankful Thursday Blog Hop is hosted by Brian from Brian’s Home. He encourages us to say what we are thankful for today.

Today I am very thankful for my GP. She really listened to me when I mentioned my heart issues. Of course she mentioned the possibility that the symptoms might be psychosomatic. But she also did a resting ECG, which showed a few extra heart beats. She said it’s probably nothing to worry about, but if the problem persists she will refer me to a cardiologist. I feel so much calmer now. It’s unlikely that is something seriously wrong with my heart. We will check on my thyroid next month, and I will mention it to my psychiatrist at our next meeting. Until then I will just keep on living.