We now have 7 cats, 2 85' Pit mix rescues and a bunny. Pre cancer we didn't have the dogs but one of our 7 cats glued himself to me throughout my entire Tx as if they drew straws. He would also lay on my chest and purr and that really comforted me greatly.

Our cat (A stray) showed up on the scene after our Dog passed away. Our Dog was right by my side through the good and bad of surgery and six months later radiation/chemo. Even in failing health herself it was almost like she lived to see me get better. "Murray" arrived on the scene literally after Trixie passed away. As with most felines he has a take or leave it attitude, but when I got sick again a couple Months ago he's been right there with me, and yes David, he's on my lap in the recliner and almost on top of me when in bed. Funny, I've not heard of denying a pet but then again I never brought it up to my medical team and they never asked. My thought is they're an extended family member/caregiver! If they make a difference and there's no substantiating evidence as to why not then "Why not?"

Pets DO make a difference! The waiting room attached to the Rad Tx room where my son was being zapped and where I waited for him, was regularly visited by a therapy dog. She was a beautiful collie and would only approach anyone after being invited. I'm not a "dog" person but when I saw her sitting a few feet away and looking at me with her gentle soulful eyes, I couldn't help but smile at her and she came over and sat by me for a few minutes. It really helped.

My guy took comfort in the household kitties; they'd lounge with him and the purrs were soothing when feeling so bad otherwise.

Here is a new twist. I have always said pets are great, providing more benefit than liability. A new thought just hit me yesterday that made me pause and decide to at least throw it on the board.

We have a loving little feline, Dennis, yes his name implies his personality, who is just less than a year and is the tiger in the jungle, often bringing home fruits of the hunt.

Poor Robin Red Breast, the latest hunt's prize, on the doorstep; this one not yet molested like most. This morning he is all over me giving me kisses and I am thinking how many dead bird germs might now be all over my face.

Just passing along the thought.

Well, cats usually like to be very clean, always cleaning themselves. So you are probably ok. Just go wash your face and brush your teeth just to be on the safe side. One of my partially tamed feral cats always washes her paws in the water dish and then dumps it over to wash her back paws. I had to get her a kiddie pool to use.

Dennis....never have named any of my cats Dennis but IT FITS THEM ALL!!! We can't let any of our 7 cats outside anymore due to the ever constant presence of Coyotes. They "arrived" about 5 years ago and appear to be a problem all across the US. Nevertheless we do have a screened in lanai and occasionally one will run through the house with a freshly caught lizard in his mouth.

According to CNN:

70 - The percentage of Americans who considered themselves "dog people," according to a 2006 Gallup Poll.

20 - The percentage who told Gallup they liked cats better.

70 million - The number of pet dogs in the United States in 2012.

74.1 million - The number of pet cats in the United States in 2012.

So David, you're keeping the numbers honest.

Btw no word on the other 10%. I'm figuring monitor lizards.

Having now been home for two weeks, I'm finally starting to see a little daylight at the end of the tunnel. Besides the comfort of being "home" the best therapy has been interacting with our cat Socrates. He's an exotic breed (Pixie Bob). They call Pixie Bobs dogs in cat clothes.

If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be getting any exercise! He likes to play catch and fetch with his "mousie" (a tin foil ball scrunchie thing). He'll bring me his "mousie" and I throw, he attacks, plays and drops it for me to throw again. I end up walking back and forth between the living room and kitchen tossing that silly thing around for at least 15 minutes before he finally has had enough and crashes.

Whats even better is when he comes up in my lap and sprawls out for pets. Best therapy there is Common sense hygiene practiced and there's no down side.

"T"

"I end up walking back and forth between the living room and kitchen tossing that silly thing around for at least 15 minutes before he finally has had enough and crashes. "

Ummmm, whose playing fetch with whom?????

I've had several cats over the years that love to play fetch. I have one right now but my greatest all time was Ernie, a small male yellow tabby who would go to all links to find his "pray" and return it to me. I would always try and out smart him even throwing off of our 3rd story balcony down to the screened in lanai and that little sucker would take off down our stairs to the 2nd floor and then out onto it's balcony and down a set of spiral steps to the lanai, find it and run full speed back up to me. He was the best!