By Elizabeth Pawlak
When I began home hospice with JourneyCare a year ago, I did not expect that I had much time left due to my end-stage COPD. One of my top concerns was my pitbull, Coal. I rescued her from a shelter as a 6- month-old puppy, and she has been my constant companion for the last eight years since.
I hated the idea of having to give her up due to my illness, so I hired a dog walker because my movement is severely limited. (Luckily the dog walker fell in love with Coal and agreed to adopt her when I am no longer here.)
But then our dog-walker went on vacation, and I was worried about Coal being stuck in the house. She is a large breed and is used to being walked three times a day for exercise. She is also perceptive and affected by my illness; Coal is going through this with me and it’s hard on her, too.
That’s when I told the JourneyCare volunteers about my concerns. They had already done so much for me, helping with shopping, hair care or anything that I could not do alone. So I was sure they could help me in the interim with Coal.
In a bit of lucky timing, JourneyCare had just launched its new Pet Peace of Mind Program that could help with Coal while the dog walker was away. Immediately, JourneyCare sent a volunteer who could help walk Coal several times a week. And since then, the program has revealed so many other benefits, too.
Pet Peace of Mind was a huge relief, since a reliable dog walker is hard to find. This program took that search off my plate, so I can focus on my health.
Dog walkers are also very, very expensive and it can cost up to $20 per walk, so the program also reduces my expenses.
In addition, our volunteer Pauline has been wonderful. She, Coal and I have formed a close friendship and she has become like part of the family. That part of it – the human part – has been a wonderful surprise.
Ultimately, Pet Peace of Mind has benefitted both my well-being and Coal’s. She is so much more relaxed and less anxious after a walk. And that is important because Coal is a comfort to me. I like having her with me so I am not all alone at night, and I love her company during the day.
By caring for Coal, Pet Peace of Mind is also taking care of me. It has been such a gift.
I was extremely short of breath and constantly tired due to my Emphysema. I was advised to take Montair plus one tablet every night which would give me temporary relief and help my sleep. But I didn’t want to depend on tablet fully which only offers relief not cure. I slowly started Ayurveda, and was introduced to Natural Herbs Centre and their COPD Ayurveda Programme, my symptoms gradually diminished including my shortness of breath, wheezing and fatigue. Reach them at naturalherbscentre. com. I know I'll get negative comments but I’m sharing this perhaps someone is also looking at genuine alternative treatment. I can vouch for this Ayurvedic treatments but you still need to decide what works best for you. Sending…