Disability support animals

Elysium

***Trigger Warning: Cancer***

Hello, is this the right place to talk about my sick disability support animal? ADMIN - please feel free to move my post if there’s somewhere more appropriate - The only other place was families - my animals are my family as I’m Vegan, but I thought more people would see them more as an ‘aid’ to independent living than family members so thought it best to ask for support here

So I’m in quite a dark place atm & I need your support please - really just somewhere to talk - as one of our support dogs Scout has cancer again and I’m struggling to cope.

My youngest still lives at home and is going to uni next sept and Scout helps him cope with the stress of his first job and sleeps in his bed every night - they are best friends I’m so worried about the effect her illness is having on him though he has seen me heal her tumours last time so there’s a LOT of pressure on me to do it again  

All 4 of my kids are disabled but the older 3 have gone to uni and have their own lives now, but come home regularly to spend time with their support animals (and us a bit too!) and we ALL rely on Scout, Skipper & Lily to help us cope with daily life as disabled people. Scout particularly, is completely in tune with our needs eg she knows when one of us is about to have Autistic meltdown and will sit on us to apply pressure

My kids are more independent than me, I struggle enormously to leave my home without her support eg. When I go to work.

It would also really help to see photos of your disability support animals here please as cute animals always help me cope

I cured her facial tumour myself last time, a year ago, when our lovely vet said there was nothing he could do and she’d be gone by feb 22 - so having her stay with us for another year has been nothing short of a miracle for which I’m so thankful…but now after I thought I’d got rid of it, another tumour has come back and I’m doing everything I can but terrified of losing her she’s my baby  

L_Volunteer

It sounds really difficult for you at the moment @Elysium and I can hear how you are in quite a dark place at the moment. You have been really brave and strong in reaching out to us and sharing this with us. I appreciate how much courage this can take, especially when things are so tough.

You can talk to us. We are all here for you and listening to you. Do you have any support from other people though, such as the people who provided you with Scout? I can hear how much of an impact this could have on you and your family. Understandably so too, this is more a reflection of the difficult situation you are in than you and your family.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any disability-support animals which means I cannot share my photos here. However, I hope our wonderful community members who have disability-support animals will be able to share their photos with you.

If there’s anything else we can do to support you please don’t hesitate to let us know. As I have already said, we are all here for you and listening to you. You don’t have to face this, or anything else, alone if you don’t want to. Take care for now and we will look forward to hopefully hearing from you again soon 

Elysium

L_Volunteer said:

It sounds really difficult for you at the moment @Elysium and I can hear how you are in quite a dark place at the moment. You have been really brave and strong in reaching out to us and sharing this with us. I appreciate how much courage this can take, especially when things are so tough.

You can talk to us. We are all here for you and listening to you. Do you have any support from other people though, such as the people who provided you with Scout? I can hear how much of an impact this could have on you and your family. Understandably so too, this is more a reflection of the difficult situation you are in than you and your family.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any disability-support animals which means I cannot share my photos here. However, I hope our wonderful community members who have disability-support animals will be able to share their photos with you.

If there’s anything else we can do to support you please don’t hesitate to let us know. As I have already said, we are all here for you and listening to you. You don’t have to face this, or anything else, alone if you don’t want to. Take care for now and we will look forward to hopefully hearing from you again soon 

You’re giving me EXACTLY the support I needed L I’m so thankful for you Thank you so much

Cher_Alumni

I just wanted to add my virtual support too @Elysium and also say what a beautiful doggy Scout is. That shiny coat 

It sounds like she has been an absolute godsend to your family - I initially typed 'dogsend' which is appropriate too! The love of a pet, that understanding without words, the way they are attuned to feelings.. it means a lot and adds so much to owner's lives, so I fully appreciate the difference she has made and how sad you are about her illness. The love you have is reciprocal and treating her cancer.. wow! You've gone above and beyond. 

I have one cat called Trinity, who isn't a disability support animal but a lovely girl we got from an animal rescue centre and she is the cutest little thing. She watches my toddler from afar in almost a motherly way! Whilst, he like to try and chase her which is another subject!

I can only echo the words of @L_Volunteer in encouraging you to lean on us whenever you need to talk, vent or turn to someone. You have us, and we'll be there with you every step of the way.

Elysium

Cher_Scope said:

I just wanted to add my virtual support too @Elysium and also say what a beautiful doggy Scout is. That shiny coat 

It sounds like she has been an absolute godsend to your family - I initially typed 'dogsend' which is appropriate too! The love of a pet, that understanding without words, the way they are attuned to feelings.. it means a lot and adds so much to owner's lives, so I fully appreciate the difference she has made and how sad you are about her illness. The love you have is reciprocal and treating her cancer.. wow! You've gone above and beyond. 

I have one cat called Trinity, who isn't a disability support animal but a lovely girl we got from an animal rescue centre and she is the cutest little thing. She watches my toddler from afar in almost a motherly way! Whilst, he like to try and chase her which is another subject!

I can only echo the words of @L_Volunteer in encouraging you to lean on us whenever you need to talk, vent or turn to someone. You have us, and we'll be there with you every step of the way.

Thank you so much Angel She most definitely is a DOGSEND I LOVE that so much! I’m using that to describe her from now on  and many congratulations on your baby  thank you so much for being there for me I might be in denial about how bad it’s gonna get in which case I will need you lovely people…or…another miracle might happen and I heal her again please universe let it be the latter

Kevin23

When my carer visits she brings her dog .. and the dog looks at me I feel a connection a understanding . Sometimes it's just a look an expression . A cuddle helps me feels like the dog understands my inner sadness my loniness . I appreciate to some he's just a dog but he helps me with pause in my life .I control my austic tendacies just for a moment .. thanku to all animals 

Agnia

Hi @Elysium

Lovely dog ♥️

L_Volunteer

I’m really pleased to hear I am giving you exactly the support you need @Elysium. It is nothing more than what you deserve 

L_Volunteer

I really hear you @Kevin23. It seems like dogs understand us better than most humans most of the time! And dogs provide such unconditional love too. They are amazing, aren’t they?