Pets and cancer

[jumptheshadow]

Some observations about our cats since Betty has been diagnosed with cancer:

1) On the naughty side of the ledger, they see that she is walking with a cane and feel free to cuff each other and to venture into forbidden territory, knowing full well that she can't chase them.
2) Since she's on estrogen therapy and gets really hot on some cold nights, the two Siamese have developed an affinity for sleeping in her very warm shadows.
3) One of the Siamese seems to have become the "nurse." She now sleeps with her head on Betty's shoulder. Betty is going through physical therapy exercises and the cat is joining in. She has lain on the floor next to her "stretching" and showing her belly when Betty does the belly-in-the-air exercises.

Does anybody else have any stories?

[Uben]

1. No observation, but....

....a neighbor invited me over for a steak dinner Friday night and they told me their little dog had bone cancer and wouldn't eat. Seems cancer affects them just as it does us.

[Irishonly]

2. Princess owned me while I was in treatment

She became my dog. Princess was still a great family dog but she would not leave my side for long periods of time. When I was so weak from chemo she always lay next to me and we shared a pillow.

[Hepburn]

3. I am staying with a friend and caring for him -- Stage IV Renal Cell Carcinoma

And my Scottie suddenly is HIS dog. Sleeps on his bed, spends all her time in his room. And, if someone new comes into his room, she gets up by my firend's upper body, between him and the new person until she checks out if the new comer is OK.

My Maggie has ALWAYS been MY baby...and now, she seems to be guarding my friend who is ill. And, she is amazingly calm and quiet while she sits by him on his bed.