Positive Life NSW

For Christmas 2000 my then partner asked me if I would like a puppy. I thought this was a great idea (one of the few he had) and I said yes.

I started calling the RSPCA animal shelter in Yagoona to see what puppies they had. In January I phoned and they told me that they had just received a litter of five Kelpie/German Shepherd cross puppies. We went to see them and there they were asleep in a cage. I looked at them for a while and then I said: “OK, which one of you wants to come home with me?” They woke up and one, who was asleep at the back of the cage leapt up and, trampling his siblings, ran to the front of the cage.

I could almost hear him saying: “Take me! Take me!” The attendant opened the cage, picked him up and put him in my arms. We fell in love there and then. We went inside to fill out the paper-work and I discovered that he was born on 6th November, the same day as my mother who had died many years before. Something inside of me told me that she had something to do with this.

Nelson
Well, Nelson (I named him after Nelson Mandela) is now eight years old and I have no hesitation in saying that he is my best friend. He has taught me so much about love and I love him more than words can say. He has saved my life a couple of times, just through his love and loyalty. In 2003 I became very ill and if it wasn’t for him (and my brother, also) I would never have made it through. Another time, when I was at my lowest ebb, I almost committed suicide and if it wasn’t for Nelson and our love for each other, I probably would have done it.

In 2004 Nelson was diagnosed with Canine Epilepsy, so now we both have chronic illnesses and care for each other.

Last year I returned to full-time work for the first time in many years. I was feeling guilty about leaving Nelson home alone all day and started thinking of ways to compensate for this. In January this year Nelson and I did a Pets as Therapy course and he now comes to work with me two days a week. I work in a private hospital for people from country NSW living with cancer and needing treatment in Sydney. He stays out on the verandah and the patients absolutely adore him and, of course, he loves all the attention. Being a Kelpie, the country folk think he is just great and lavish him with lots of attention (and food, I suspect).

I can’t imagine life without Nelson, now, and would recommend having a dog as the greatest form of therapy and companionship one could have. Sometimes I look down at him lying at my feet, which he often does, and I am almost overwhelmed by the love between us.

Would you like to see your pet in Talkabout? Send in your photo and how you feel about your pet (up to 200 words) to editor@positivelife.org.au