Boy is this going to be short. Stomach flu. Not good. Will spare you all details, but been sick (as a dog? where did that expression come from?) Been sick for 3 days, huge snow storm kept friends out, me in. Jim, my wonderful guy, just took the afternoon off to come out with saltine crackers and ginger ale for me. Heaven.
Wanted to write about the seminar in Des Moines, the participants and hosts were so wonderful. Stay tuned, don’t have much vertical time in me yet… BUT here’s the question: All of Monday and Tuesday, when I was flat on my back, young BC Willie never once brought me a toy to throw for him. To say that’s atypical is understating the matter. Oh sure, he’ll stop when you say “Enough” but he’ll try again in a half hour or so. But he never tried, ever for 2 1/2 days. Why? Did he know I was sick? Or… (more likely?) was my lack of movement acting as a lack of trigger, or inadvertent cue? What do you think? I am hoping to be back among the living, at least for a few hours, tomorrow, but please excuse my deadbeat lack of responses to any comments. (But hey, I’ve lost 7 pounds! I know, I know, it’ll all come back….)
Jennifer says
I had food poisoning once ( my own fault!).
Kansas, my heeler/aussie -cross, refused to leave my side all day.
I think she even would have sacrificed her treasured walk, if my husband hadn’t offered to take her for me. He has only ever walked our dogs if I’ve been ill or out-of-town. Even then, she didn’t keep him out very long. It was the one and only day I have ever seen her keep completely still.
Neither of our dogs seems to take much notice of either of us has a cold, though… I guess it depends on how “sick” you really are. Perhaps obvious deviations from what is normal and routine are those most noted?
Bob Littlepage says
I have been thinking of just this subject this summer. As a boy/teen I had a mutt that definitely knew when I was sick or injured. Her behavioral changes were obvious, jumping and pushing to see and nuzzle, smelling me all over, then laying beside my bed. In my early adult and midlife, I had two very affectionate dobies, but I can
Crystal says
I will very much look forward to reading about your view of the Des Moines seminar. I was in the audience; I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and just had a great time.
I hope you’re feeling better soon. I certainly think that lack of movement could have an effect on Willie, but generally, when sick, you smell different too, so that could have affected him as well.
Kelly says
Oh I’m sure that dogs know when we’re sick. When I was sick not too long ago, my dog didn’t even want to get up to go to the bathroom. He stayed with me, even when my father was cooking, which is unheard of. His demeanor did change and he didn’t want to leave my side for anything.
I hope you’re feeling better soon Trish . . . I’m glad your furry nurses are looking after you 😉
ABandMM says
Yes, I do believe that animals can sense when we are sick.
The most dramatic example I have is from my freshman year in college. I came down with a bad stomach ache and was basically doubled over and not keeping anything down. My Mom brought me home and I went directly to bed. Middy, our black lab mix who was my brother’s shadow, got up onto my bed and would not leave me all night. She wouldn’t go out and she ignored my brother when he tried to get her. The next morning I went to the emergency room and from there to the OR for an appendectomy. I believe that Middy knew something was seriously wrong with me and was going to stay by my side.
When I moved out on my own, my dog Morgan would sense when I was sick (i.e. flu, or due to gallstones) and she would be more “clingy” and not as anxious to go out (we didn’t have a fenced in yard, so it was me walking her on leash). However, she was usually by my side, this just more so. The example with Middy stands out because she always slept with my brother (no matter how much I bribed her to stay with me).
I hope you are feeling better soon. Saltines and ginger ale is what my mom gave us when we were sick.
Rebekah says
Hmm… Do dogs even know what “sick” is? If you spend a lot of time together, though, and have a good relationship, they’ll respond to your mood. Like you said, your lack of movement will be a lack of trigger, but also your tone of voice, how much or little you talk, the change in routine… It’d be an interesting experiment to act sick some day when you’re feeling perfectly healthy. I’m sure some dogs respond to the actual physical clues (i.e. high body temp) as well.
Paula Sunday says
All of us here in Des Moines are so sad you went home sick! Leave it to you to notice behavior in your dogs during your illness. That’s why we all love you, and hope you are back up to par very soon!
You were a big hit here, rave reviews. Thanks so much for coming to central Iowa!
Paula Sunday and the staff and volunteers of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
Bekka says
Hope you’re feeling better! I was in Des Moines and really enjoyed the whole day! Thank you so much for coming! Made swapping shifts at work and braving sheet ice on I-80 that morning all worth it. 😉 Winter in Iowa.
I always wonder if my dogs know when I’m sick. I lean towards yes with Yoda, he is a total nurse (and a good one). Wants to lick my face, will sit/lay with me and look at me with a concerned look. He is also good at cleaning cuts, scrapes, puncture wounds and (he thinks) bruises and takes it all very seriously. Normally he’s a big bull-in-china-store goofball type. Two see it as having a captive audience and are perfectly willing to bring any/all toys I might want to toss them to feel better. My old dog especially. The rest seem to cue off the lack of activity and just chill out. So I guess it depends at my house. 🙂 (see, I learned something in Des Moines!)
Feel better soon!
Bekka
brick says
I have not had that experience with my two boxers yet. (we are lucky because we homeschool we don’t really get that sick, knock on wood) But I can tell you about when our boy boxer got sick last summer. We adopted our boxer boy at 7 months. He had been friendly but aloof in personality. He was everyone’s dog. (there are 7 in our family) Kinda unusual for a boxer because they are a very affectionate breed. Anyway, he got a hold of a piece of wrapper that had held a chlorine tablet for our swimming pool. It had been thrown away, but blew out and Nero got it and licked the inside. Naturally, he got chemical burns to the inside of his throat and mouth. My husband and oldest two boys took him to emergency care. They wanted to keep him but we opted to bring him home with meds knowing we would have to probably have to take him to our vet the next day. I stayed with him downstairs on the kitchen floor the whole night. I set up pillows and gave him his pain meds. I syringed him his water for two days until he could drink on his own. Ever since that long two days of care, he has been my shadow. He fully recovered. But he clearly has bonded with me more than the others in the family. I would say the exception is the only daughter of the family. She too helped take care of him when he got through the worst of it. On occasion he will sleep on her bed. But if I sit down, he sits on my lap. If I go to the bathroom, he waits outside the door. If I go to the kitchen he lays down on the kitchen rug. I believe he knew he was very sick and remembers that I gave him the care he needed. I believe he is grateful for it. And yes, I believe that our dogs are capable of far greater feelings of emotions and thought than most people do.
I hope you feel better soon.
Brick
Jessica says
I would suspect that as a connoisseur of body language, Willie definitely knew something was off…. though he may have used subconscious triggers (or lack thereof) to determine what his response to your “offness” should be. Doesn’t seem much different than a spouse that comes home to find his partner wrapped in a blanket on the couch with a cup of tea and can interpret the difference between sick, stressed, or just relaxing based on gaze, voice tone, and previous experience (though I have to say it took years for my husband to figure it out… the dog was swifter on the uptake). Feel Better!
Lori says
Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery. The flu is no fun.
I’va had similar experiences with my dogs, once when I was sick and once when one of our dogs was sick. I read somewhere a theory that wolves may have a heightened ability to smell sickness in mammals. This helps them cull weak animals when hunting. This would also explain how dogs are able to detect cancer in humans. So when we are sick, they probably get a variety of cues that “things aren’t right.” We smell different, and we aren’t acting like our usual selves.
In the case of our sick dog, we brought him home on a stretcher, and I remember thinking in the driveway “this is going to be chaos with the other dogs.” It wasn’t. Our typically joyous, rambunctious dogs were quiet and subdued. They sensed that something serious was going on, and they stayed out of the way.
I think they know “things aren’t right,” and this is cause for caution and restraint.
Regards,
L
lin says
I haven’t been terribly sick, but our dog doesn’t seem to react much differently when I have a cold or when I have a day off. She is not especially exuberant, and can snooze the day away with me whether I am in bed or on the couch. She doesn’t seem especially worried, as long as she can see me, be near me, and get the requisite butt scratches. The cat is very cuddly when I have to spend the day in bed, but I think he’s overjoyed that I’m a prone hot water bottle. Either way, it’s very comforting.
Kaiser Soze says
I think they do, and my uneducated guess is that we smell different:
http://preparetolive.org/pdf/DogsNYT.pdf
Get well soon!
Kellie says
When I was sick my “forever” dog, Shambles, would curl up next to me and nuzzle my hand on occasion. He barely asked to go out until I knew it was imperative. Our latest love, Milo, is only a couple years old, but he behaves much the same way. I think dogs can sense when something just isn’t right. I have been in a great deal of pain when walking in the last 6 months, and Milo never challenged me or tried to get me to chase him. In the last week I have had treatments to relieve the pain and things are more normal for me and Milo is back to stealing my socks! Yay!
Diana says
Definately believe animals not only know when we are sick but also when we are sad, happy, etc.
Once I saw a program with dogs that can detect when a person has skin cancer, or how about the dogs that
know when a heart attack or seizure is coming on. The first dog that the show was talking about had no special training for detecting skin cancer. The woman went to the doctor and sure enough..she had a melanoma.
I just believe that dogs have gifts and extrasensory talents that we with all of our technology don’t have.
In the case of a stomach flu…well, the smell alone would be a big tip off for the dog, wouldn’t it?
LynnSusan says
My Gracie is a very busy girl—at not quite 2 years old, my King Shepherd is loaded with big puppy energy. A couple of weeks ago I came home early from work because of a virus that struck like a ton of bricks. Gracie’s greeting was more subdued than usual. When I settled myself comfortably on the couch, I was accompanied by 2 cats and one very big puppy. All 4 of us slept off and on all day. There was no chasing, or jockeying for position. It was a veritable “Peaceable Kingdom.”
I think when we are not at the top of our game, our energy shifts and because our animals regard us as the center of their world, they can read our every nuance of expression and mood. I know they know when we are not quite ourselves–how else to explain tears being licked away, or vigil kept at bedside?
Melinda Hunter says
I believe they definitely can sense something is different. I have a male german shepherd who was about a year old when my husband came home after major back surgery. He was so very cautious and gentle around him and then when I had knee surgery about 4 weeks later he was so patient about his activity. We are VERY active people and he typically gets a lot of exercise but seemed willing to just wait until we were able…Hope you feel better soon.
Melinda
peggy says
Three years ago, I brought my Mom home to Wisconsin from Florida to live with our family for what were her final few months of life. She adored my dogs, a Westie, and Bernese Mountain Dog, and they had always returned her affection. It was my Berner who displayed different behaviours: 1) Mom, too weak to call out for assistance had a little silver bell to ring……Healy, during those months, would run to the basement, (or try to go outside)and it took much coaxing to bring her upstairs – –for years after Mom passed, she still would spook at the sound of any bell – this was the small one. 2) most disturbing was that she would go outside and it was nearly impossible to get her in. It was a cold November, and there were times that I struggled with 100 pounds of shivering berner, to bring her into a warm home. I think she sensed my mother’s cancer, and perhaps, my focus on caring for her. She would not go near Mom during those months, which made us all so sad. I always wanted to call DBF and talk about this with you…….
Ann says
I believe 100% they know when we are sick. My first experience was with a 4-month old Boxer who laid quietly next to me on the bed for the better part of two days when I ran a high fever with the flu. He was a wild boy aside from this, but often licked my face to assure me he was there. Other family members tried to engage him in play, but he returned to my room.
spotted dog farm says
fwiw, my vet (one of those great old guys who has been a vet for 30 years and seems to know everything) told me that the “sick as a dog” expression refers to the fact that some dogs can be SO sick but don’t show it. It’s frustrating from a medical perspective because they exhibit so few symptoms until the illness is very serious. I’m not sure if this is true, but it was interesting. Hope you feel better!
Janet says
All I can say is I had a Maltese at the time of my diagnosis with breast cancer that, pre-diagnosis and then post surgery, spent a great deal of time lying on the side that the cancer was diagnosed on. This was a marked change in his behavior since he normally would just lie on my lap or, if in bed, next to me, not on me.
trisha says
Such interesting comments! Thank you so much for sharing them. It does seem logical and reasonable, without being anthropomorphic that dogs can sense when we are ill. They are so highly social, and it is so important in the natural history to be aware of the internal state of others in their group. It’s true that we need to be careful of making too much of anecdotes, but they still have value, and stories like the ones above are supported by the research from the UK that found that dogs can be trained to detect cancer in human urine. The most amazing part of the study is when the dogs alerted to what seemed to be ‘false positive’.. someone who did not have the cancer they were studying. Except, it turned out the person DID have cancer, just a different type.
I do think Willie reacts to my movement, and I’ll admit I can get pretty border collie-ish around the house, but even when I lay down on the couch and veg out in front of the tv, Willie will come and ask me to play. He never even picked up a toy the entire two days that I was so sick… and that is simply extraordinary for Will, who plays by himself in the house often if no one else will join in. I suspect that Will’s behavior when I was sick was indeed about him sensing something, but of course, we all know I’m just guessing. Thank heavens that chapter is over (looks like I had the infamous Norwalk virus).. my best to all of you above with health challenges.
Anthony says
Yes, I think dogs know when we are sick. I am currently down with bronchitis, and my mastiff/rotweiler mix came and sat next to the couch I was on when she usually lays on the floor
Bobby says
I have a 2 yr mixed breed, lovable pup. My son in law has Parkinson’s and when he comes in Moxi is afraid of him. She runs away from him, even if he offers her a treat. Everyone else, she jumps on and wants to play, but is seemingly afraid of him, and I wonder why?? She is not afraid of people with cancer, myself and a friend both have Leukemia, it does not bother her at all. Any ideas on this?
Rose says
I definatly think dogs do. Right now I’m extremly sick, I have 107 fever and swollen tonsils. My usually hyper dashund ( hot dog) is laying with me silently refusing to move. Also I wonder if dogs know that our eyes are the source of our sight. When I talk to my dog she looks me in the eyes, but do dogs know that’s our sight?
Kathryn says
I’ve got a terrible cold at the moment, and my Dalmatian, Loki, has been acting funny ever since I got it!
He just stares at me, looking depressed and slowly wagging his tail! It’s starting to creep me out!
But at least I know he cares for me, right?
sandra says
Our dog, a dachshund/chihuahua (11yrs at the time), knew something was wrong with my 29 yr old son the night before he had a stroke. The dog jumped in his lap that night and stared at my son so intently, we thought it was odd he had never done that before. Never did we expect a stroke at age 29. Our dog clearly felt/knew something was not right.
POOKEY BEAR!!! says
This doesnt really relate to this but I have a toy poodle and she likcs everything.She wont stop no matter what we say or do.do u know how to stop her or if we can???
THANK YOU,
POOKEY BEAR!!!
Pinky says
Here’s my story: I have a golden R, Wolfie, whose favorite time of day is morning, when we go for our first walk. He bounces on my bed, tail wagging, and urges me to Get Up! This morning, I had a terrible stomach flu, starting around 5 am. I was in and out of the bathrm for hours – but Wolfie never came into the bedrm. An hour and a half past our usual time, and he was still lying quietly. My first thought was worry that he was sick as well, and I had some kind of dog virus. But as I staggered out of bed to feed him and let him out, it became clear that he was just fine – he had obviously noticed something was wrong with me. As I write this, he is lying in bed with me. A fine dog!
jj says
I BELIEVE DOGS DO KNOW WHEN YOUR SICK. I HAVE A BOXER AND A CATAHOULA LEOPARD. THE CATAHOULA IS EXTREMLY CLOSE TO ME. I HAD BEEN SICK ON AND OFF FOR THE PAST YEAR. THIS DAY WAS THE CONTINUATION OF 6 WEEKS OF WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A STOMACH VIRUS OR FOOD POISONING. THE DOGS WILL FOLLOW ME EVERY WHERE INCLUDING THE BATHRM .THIS PARTICULAR MORNING I FELT A LITTLE DIZZY AND THOUGHT I WOULD LAY BACK DOWN. ON MY WAY BACK TO BED I ENTERED THE RESTROOM. MY CATAHOULA WALKED UP TO ME AND THEN STARTED BACKING AWAY FROM ME BARKING AS IF A STRANGER WAS IN THE HOUSE. HOWEVER HE WAS BARKING DIRECTLY AT ME! I STARTED HAVING CHEST PAINS AND GOT EVEN DIZZIER. I KNEW I HAD TO PUT THE DOGS UP IN CASE I NEEDED HELP. THEY ARE BOTH REALLY PROTECTIVE OF ME. FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER THEY REFUSED TO GET IN MY BEDROOM. THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN THEY’RE SANCTUARY. AFTER A STRUGGLE, THEY GOT IN THE ROOM BUT ATTACKED THE DOOR, BARKING AND HOWLING LIKE CRAZY. AFTER A 911 CALL AND A WEEK IN THE HOSPITAL WAS DIAGNOSED WITH COLLAGENOUS COLITIS. A VERY RARE DISEASE FOR A 47 YEAR OLD WOMEN. THE CHEST PAINS WERE FROM DEHYDRATION. HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR MY DOGS REACTION I WOULD HAVE LAID BACK DOWN AND NEVER CALLED RESCUE. IVE HAD A LOT OF DOGS AND I WOULD SAY NOT ALL OF THEM SENSE ILLNESS. BUT THIS CATHOULA MOST DEFINATELY DID. IM DOING MUCH BETTER NOW AND SPOILING MY DOGS!!
Austin says
My parents love to tell the story of when i was an infant of 9-12 months.. We had a Cocker Spaniel named Nickolas or Nick for short. I had contracted salmonella. I was sick with it for nearly two months spending most of the time in the hospital. The doctors sent me and my parents home with medicine and an apology. apparently the whole time i was in the hospital Nick was barely eating or doing anything else. When i finally got back my parents had made a cot for me in the living room because most of our family had come due to the situation.. my parents laid cool rags on my head hoping to do nothing else but break the fever.. Nick on the other hand did nothing but take the rags off and lick my body from head to toe day and night.. He became so obsessed with it he wouldn’t let anyone near me unless it was my mom to feed me. My dad tried to come get me and ended up with 17 stitches. I believe it was a week after i got home my fever had broken. The doctors were amazed and written it up to my dogs saliva cooling me down. My parents have a lot of pictures and even some video footage. My dad still has the scars. I’m 22 now and probably wouldn’t be around if it weren’t for my first dog. My hometown of Enterprise, AL did a newspaper article as well.
Emmy thames says
Omg this is sooo true
My brand new puuppy is super playful but when i came down with the flu
He napped on my chest the whole time for three days. The only time he left was when
He let himself out the doggy door to pee. I dragged his food bowl over with me because he wouldnt eat otherwise.
Brian Swan says
I am fairly certain that dogs can tell when you are sick or injured. My wife and I have two dachshunds, Mocha and Dixie. They tend to stay with someone who is sick in bed. Of course, they are cuddly little gals, so they like to hang out on the bed anyway 😀
Two days ago, I had an accident while walking with my brother and his two retrievers on a trail. He has one golden, named Cirrus, and one half lab/half border collie named Jessica (Jessi, usually). I had a wrong step, turned my right ankle, and ended up spraining my ankle badly. The pain was terrible and I yelled out. The two retrievers, especially Cirrus, were very concerned. I remember Cirrus being right at my side, nuzzling and trying to be helpful. Later, as I limped back to our car, the two big dogs – who had been charging forward earlier – walked slowly and kept pace with me, waiting patiently whenever I needed to stop.
Yesterday, I went to the doctor and got a boot put on the foot. Our dachshunds have both been investigating the boot and the leg. Dixie has been especially loyal in staying with me.
Rachel says
l was wondering about this and I think this thread has answered my question! I have a 6 month old chihuahua yorkie cross and a few days ago I developed tonsilitus. I am so poorly I feel like im dying, can barely walk, move or talk. She is usually a playful and affectionate puppy and sleeps in my bed but always on top of the covers keeping her distance. Last couple of nights though she has been sleeping on my chest curled around my neck or squashed up beside me with her nose in my armpit! She won’t leave my side even to eat and when im walking she usually dashes ahead but right now because im slow she’s stopping every two seconds so she keeps up with me. Not to mention the constant licking… guess where? On my neck where my glands are swollen up like golf balls! She’s acting like my little care, doing as much as a dog can do to help me feel better. Thank god for my little chorkie, this sickness would seem ten times worse without her 🙂
Shelly says
Oh I know the stomach flu thing. Only item I’ve been able to keep down is a few sips of water. Anyways, I have a 4 month old lab puppy who has been sleeping with me more these last 2 days then I think he has his whole life! Last night when I couldn’t get warm no matter how many blankets I had, Paulie was right there to help in any way he can. He must know something is wrong…all I know is I am grateful for his company.
Joni Johnson says
I had to quit work recently due to arthritis in my joints. The worst area is my knees, my chichuahua Jasper has always slept in the bed but down at the bottom. Lately he has been sleeping up close under the covers with his back arched and his whole little body wrapped around my knees. One morning I woke up thinking his little body was so HOT, but it felt so good on my knees because it was raining outside and they were hurting so bad. I tapped my husband and wispered to him and he felt Jasper and he said he was burning up but Jaspers’s nose was cool. Later when we got up Jasper was fine, not sick and not hot at all. I believe that he was trying to heal my knee’s and nobody will ever make me think different, I have read about animals going to people when they are hot, but my knees were not hot, Jasper was the living heating pad for me.
claire says
I’ve been very poorly in the last 8 wks with a head cold, persistant coughing, & phryangitis which is swelling & inflammation of the glands, anyhow I was wiped out for 6 out of 8 wks curled up between the sofa & bed, my beloved dobernam mix knew how poorly I was cause everytime I cough she run upto me put her paw out & snuggled up close then once she knew I stopped coughing she go back to her bed, but on every occassion I coughed to the point of being sick she won’t leave me alone, even now week 8 i’m still coughing she runs up put her paw out to me, nudge my hand & sniffs me until I make contact with her. I do believe she knows i’m not well plus she returns the caring back to me cause my dog sonetimes starts randomly coughing & chocking so I go up to her rub her chest, hug her & rub her belly then she feels better again, so I think she picks up on how I make her feel better so everytime I cough/ splutter/hack etc she comes to my aid which is so sweet i’ve also known her to go to my fella to let him know i’m not well she go to him panicking & wining & once he starts stroking her then she feels ok. It’s clever how dogs sense these sort of moments I suppose it comes from their wild cousins, cause in the wild, there are going to be times when some of the pack will fall ill & it’s in their nature to look after them until they are better again, very clever for it to come through this generation of dogs, i’m so glad I have a dog who cares & worries over me.
Tamara says
My dog knows I’m going to have emesis before I do. When I have a migraine and about to get sick, he sits on top of me and it’s almost impossible to get him to move off of me. He wont even let anyone by me and will bark at them. He is my best friend, my protector, my ambassador. It is known that dogs know someoene has cancer before they do as well. So yes, dogs know when you are sick and will act accordingly if you have a close bond with them. Be good to your dog, he will save your life.
Chantelle Ashton says
I’ve had a migraine for over 25 hours now, and my dog won’t leave my side.
She usually listens when I tell her to get out of the house, but she didn’t this afternoon when I got home from College and the doctors.
I just organised an appointment to go get an MRI on Monday because in our family, we’ve had a lot of things such as tumors, cancer etc.
In 2007 my uncle had brain surgery because he had a fluid buildup in his brain, and in two weeks, my mum will be in hospital to remove 2 of the 3 aneurysms that are in her brain.
The headaches are common, and last for days.
When I finally said to Muppet to come inside, she ran straight into my room. Because she’s part staffy, sometimes she talks, and it sounded like she said “I love you Mummy” and kept nudging my hand and stroking my face with her paw.
So… yeah.
jeani says
I have been diagnosed with Acute Pancreatitis,I’ve noticed that my Mini Aussi Shep/Chi mix will lick me, you know Fingers,legs,arms before a severe attack was about to happen.I also noticed it would start slow,maybe one day he would just lick me once or twice a day mainly after feeding him from my hand, Eventually,He would not leave my side and at the same time licking my legs,arms,fingers and face.It took me awhile but after making a diary of “strange stuff my dog does” I realized that every time I had eo go to the hospital,My baby,Hardly would let me know when I had to fast for 3 Days.Good DOG
Penny says
My Mini-Schnauzer has been sleeping with me. She always sleeps on my right side where there is more room in the bed. Last night she walked around my body in bed a few times during the night….she kept waking me up so I put here in a different room so I could sleep. Strange???? I am not sick.
Krissy says
My 11 year old male Maltese is recently going to my husbands bedside
. He’s always been excited when Mike is coming home from work. We’re wondering if Bosco is sincing something? Thank you
Lorna Doone says
I have a havanese, when we first got her she would constantly lick inside my ear and smell my breath. About a year later I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer, they said I’d probably had it for years as it’s a slow growing cancer. After my surgery my havanese never left my side, slept on my chest as close to the surgery site as possible, even if I was sitting up she tried sleeping on my chest. My dog does not like to cuddle and doesn’t sleep on people. Also, since the surgery she no longer sniffs my breath or licks my ear. I believe she knew I had cancer the first time she met me.
Six months after that surgery I ended up having colorectal surgery for some hemorroids and for what my doctor believed was cancer. Luckily it wasn’t cancer, so it makes sense why my dog didn’t show the same concern for me before the surgery as she had for my other cancer. Again, after my surgery, my non-cuddling dog never left my side after the surgery and slept as close to the surgery site as possible. Cuddled up tight against my backside if I was laying down or on my lap if I was sitting up. After a week she went back to her normal routine…I’m guessing that meant I was healed enough I no longer needed a protector.
I’m thinking the next time a doctor thinks I have cancer, I might trust my dogs reaction towards me and get my “cancer results” from her first and not stress over the doctors tests which can take weeks to get.
Sheri says
Dogs are more intelligent than we give them credit for. Just because they don’t speak the same language we are quick to ascribe them as low in intelligence. The truth is they have a different kind of intelligence and with some things… They are better than humans… Esp when it comes to the capacity to love
Ann says
You guys are all so fortunate. I have had dogs (a Great Pyrenees and cocker mix) who weren’t allowed upstairs in the bedrooms. But I got the worst flu I’ve ever had, and they both snuck upstairs and lay as close to my bed as they could, and never moved from morning until night when my husband let them go outside. Fast forward a few years. We now have a 9-year-old yellow lab mix who we adopted at 8 (not abused, just lazy owners). She is just a perfect dog, except for this: having not been sick for years, I recently came down again with a bad flu and have been sleeping my life away for 5 days. And whatever room I happen to be in, Dolly heads for the other one! If I move to where she is, she goes back to where I came from! She is an extremely sweet, affectionate dog otherwise, and I just can’t figure it out. Feeling very abandoned boo Hoo
Ann says
Left out: would be grateful for any thoughts!
sandra says
I have a coton de tulear named ditto.I also have fibromyalgia and sleeping can be difficult.Last night was a particularly restless one for me.Ditto usually sleeps loosely close to me.Last night however,I noticed her shifting as I moved and when I laid still she would maneuver her little body up tight against me.Feeling her that close was a welcome comfort.
Sally Looker says
I feel like my 2 Labrador’s are trying to tell me something about my health. It more my male dog who’s older he seems to become very attached even more than usual and wont leave me alone. When ever i cough he runs away from me even if he’s fast asleep he will leave the room and its only me he does this to. My younger dog is picking up on his vibes and she’s doing the same and wont leave me alone. I don’t know what to do, i cant go to the doctors because i will sound crazy haha but i feel like he is trying to tell me something about my health!
Thanks
Sally
Anthony forry says
I was watching my aunts Jack Russell once for a period of a week. I came down with the flu the day after she dropped him off. My wife had to physically pick him up off the bed and carry him outside so he would go to the bathroom.
Lynn koellermeoet says
I got rusty (bull mastive lab mix) at eight weeks old. Six months later I went down cause of back. He stuck head under my chest and tried to raise me up. Then five years later found out wife was diabetic. Rusty stuck to us like glue if we laid on the bed he was up onnnn the bed and didn’t move until we did. If her blood sugar raised he buggered her to wake her. He always played on one end of couch where he could see both of us. Always keeping a eye on us. Went with wife where it was.
Faith Green says
I just spent a couple of days at the hospital helping my daughter with her brand new baby. I came home carrying a nice stomach bug from there. Been in bed all day think I have been running fever. Our Carein terrier came to the door of our bedroom and started growling I called him to come to me and he cowered down and wanted to run away I went to pick him up and he acted like I was going to hurt him. He cowerded down when I went to pick him up, very bizarre behavior, when I put him on the bed he jumped down and ran off. I am certain he smells the fever. I hope that is all it was, I believe they sense far beyond or senses.
Michelle says
Dogs are very smart my step dad had a border collie and she was so smart a friend of the family was sleeping and just about to have a seizure sassy barked and barked until she woke up to take her medicine if it was not for sassy she would of had a seizure border collies are very smart my step dad has another border collie but she is part golden retriever and border collie very smart so love your animals and they will be there for u and protect u
Lot says
My chihuahua is totally house broken..never pees in the house. She sits on my husband’s lap and my lap..very sweet …but my elder brother has Ailziemers , every time she sits on his lap..she pees! ? Wonder why
Lilith says
My dog is being a bit weird every time she sees me.. But when I say every time…I mean EVERY time. She’s sleeping with me and I can’t get to sleep because everyone I move she flips out and starts wagging her tail and crying! Is she like….sensing my death and she’s just happy to know I’m not dead yet…? We’ve had her for almost 3 yrs and she’s never don’t anything like I’m super weirded out.
celtlady says
about 7 weeks ago I started getting a very strong pain in my right shoulder my sons staff comes over twice a week with him and normally cuddles on the bed with me while having treats but lately since the pain hes acting very weird weird he greets me on first coming into my flat and stays with me for a minute or two then gets off the bed and hides under bed shakes and wants too go home also he wont look at me what is wrong? any one know its freaking me out and my son too can he sense my severe pain or some thing else
Lynne Cheetham says
My dog eats exactly half his food when im ill and as soon as I lie down, he literally lies on top of me. I have pneumonia and pleurisy plus pleural effusion right now and hes doing it again 😂 no idea why
Lynne Cheetham says
Oh my dog is a huge American bulldog and love him to bits
alex says
My mother had cancer and didn’t know it and my dog never left her side and never stopped rubbing his head on her my mom started feeling sick and went to the doctor and she had cancer though but ever since he’s been happy and playful and not laying with my mom since she recovered
Westcoastlady says
I visited a coworker’s home one afternoon, and her little dog kept licking my hand, although I had never met the little critter before. I thought it odd and asked my friend why he kept it up. She said “He likes you”. Never thought anything about it, but the following year I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.
Could be unrelated, but my gut says not.
Tammi says
I spent 7 days in the hospital and couldn’t return to my home where I lived alone. So I stayed with them for 5 months. My parents had a chihuahua/terrier mix dog that was 9 years old. The first time I was able to be left alone so my parents had some errands to run in town, I will never forget their dog was sleeping on his blanket near my Dad’s chair, when they left, got up and pulled his blanket near my chair and fell asleep til they came home. He usually slept under my blanket on my feet I had on my lap and sat usually on the couch, leaving my parents always asking where Sammy was..lol. I miss him. He passed away 2 years ago.
Kim says
I have a 5 yr old Parsons Jack russul
That would not leave the 80 yr old dad alone he had a heart attach a month later good to have a smart little boy on the side love you bunches Rocky