Hi Ruth, yes, I have animals in the past that have been tuned into illness in the family. A cat would sleep with my son who was terminally ill, if he would wake up and i din't hear him, she would come get on the bed and pat my face until I woke up. The day he passed away, she was gone for 3 days, and then returned home.

My minature pinscher..Muggsy would lay by my left side (which was the affected side) he would get his nose under my hand until it was on him, I learned to wiggle my fingers to pet him.. I think I got so much movement in my left arm (had to have PT to learn to control it) because of him.

We got an Australian shephard/border collie mix a few months post stroke. she has grown up with me being clumsy and with some balance issues. She seems to know when I am having an "un-steady" day as she will walk beside me and if I am wobbly will hold still so I can put my hand on her back to steady myself. Other times she will walk ahead of me, but she keeps turning around to make sure I am coming.

Muggsy is quite the "alarm clock" too and makes sure John is up every morning...to let him outside and to get a "treat" he knows where his treats are kept and gets on the chair and slaps the table with his foot and is quite vocal about asking for it.

If the water bowl is getting low, they will scratch on the bowl and come look for one of us.

I have other stories I could tell of past and present dogs & cats. But I understand the bond and personalities. I also talk to them.. and they have quite a vocublary of words they understand. The bond is strong and they give unconditional love. I have been raised with animals ..all my life. They truly become family members.. and understand much more than many people think.

Bonnie

My dog Shelby is very smart and since my stroke she has really become "overprotective" of her Mommy. She is also a very vocal dog, she has a happy growl when she is glad to see you. If I forget to fill her water fish up, she will lay beside it and whine a high pitch whine until I fill it. She also understands English. So My hubby and I have started spelling some words around her like t-r-e-a-t.

Since my stroke I have been on a baking cookies kick and when she smells them cooking, she knows I will put one in her dish once one has cooled down. We have really bonded b/c it is just us during the school yr. when my daughter is gone during the day.

I liked you pet stories, Pet stories are fun to read.

~Amy