The best therapy

I’ve always loved dogs and they have always been a part of my recovery after being in hospital.

Growing up we had Pickle, a wire haired dachsund but she was mums dog so although I got cuddles it wasn’t the same.

When I was 7, Mungo (Pickles son) was born and my first love affair began. Lots of cuddles, licks and good memories.

When I was 13 and recovering from my second operation Elsa (miniature wire haired dachsund) came into my life and made it incredible. Elsa was bred to be a show dog but hated being in the show ring and being handled by strangers (can you blame her). She travelled back from Kent with mum, sitting on the passenger seat and was incredibly nervous so barely came near me when they reached home.

The next day both parents went out to work and Elsa and I spent the day on the sofa with her wedged between me and the back of it. And after that history was written. Wherever I went I had a follower, upstairs, downstairs, inside, outside and even to the loo.

When I went to university Elsa stayed with mum and dad although I loved going home and seeing her and when I first moved to Basingstoke I lived in a first floor flat with no garden so it didn’t seem fair to bring her to live with me, leaving a garden and mum and dads dog Noah (another dachsund).

In 2014 we sadly had to put Elsa to sleep and it took 9 months to feel ready to get another dog. I was living in a two bedroom house with a garden situated near to two parks with plenty of places for walks. My search for a new dog took 2 months, with visits to a shelter near my parents, website trawling as well as searching Dogs Trust and Battersea,

A disastrous trial with a young dog led me to believe an older one would be a better fit and the same day that I decided to postpone my search for a dog the same day I saw the following description

extremely lazy, likes to lie in the sun and sleep inside. Would suit a retired couple

At this point I knew I had to meet this dog and from the moment I saw Minnie Mouse I knew she was perfect for me.

She had a hernia, had been used for puppy breeding, had entropian of the left eyelid and a severe skin infection.

A few weeks later after surgery, spaying and microchipping she was home with me and within an hour had decided the sofa and bed were her domain and she went from one to the other.

Nearly 3 years later I can’t put into words how much she’s helped me. When I’m ill she comforts me, when I’m feeling lazy she’s a reason to go out. She runs next to my scooter and helps me get used to the items occupational therapy have given me.

A lot of people with different conditions will tell of the benefits that animals can give and I’ll be exploring the different organisations that help with these animals in my next post.