I Love Lucy

[Guest guest]

I Love Lucy by Cohen

© CF Alliance Newsletter

I could hear the birds singing outside as the glowing morning sun made a

beautiful wall pattern through my bedroom window curtains. It was going to be

another warm and sunny day that I would be forced to enjoy from my bed. I had

been bound to my bed for four days with no relief from the pain in sight. These

type of days had become frequent and I was accepting them as part of my new life

as a chronically ill person. However I knew there had to be more to my existence

than walking on eggshells waiting for the next Fibromyalgia flare-up.

A friend suggested I adopt a dog. A dog! I did not have the physical stamina to

walk a dog several times a day, just walking to the bathroom during a flare-up

had become a monumental task. Plus I had never had a pet, not even a goldfish

won at local carnival. The idea of a dog was as likely an option as racing in

the Tour de France or playing for the World Cup. Since Lance Armstrong and Pele

had not called me; this ridiculous canine idea quickly left my thoughts.

However it did not leave my friend, 's thoughts and he telephoned me a few

nights later to say he had found the `perfect' dog for me. I assumed he was

calling for me from a local toy store, holding a Snoopy doll. After listening to

his message, I quickly feel asleep and forgot about the conversation. The next

morning I checked my email and there was a message entitled `Lucy, Your Girl'. I

clicked on the email and there was an animal shelter's phone number and a photo

of a silly dog wearing 's sunglasses and his baseball hat. Needless to say,

I was still laughing as I dialed the animal shelter's number. The following

week, my father and I drove to Animal Haven in Flushing, New York to meet Lucy

and she has been `my girl' ever since.

Please know, even though Lucy is a gentle and low energy dog, adjustments had to

be made to accommodate her. Lucy is not a service dog, just a loving, loyal

creature. My husband helps care for Lucy and we installed a backyard fence so I

did not have to walk her. Also a local dog trainer volunteered to give her (and

me) training lessons. We put money aside every month to pay for her food and

veterinary check ups.

Now as each month passes, I can't imagine life without Lucy. She lays at my

bedside on the days I am too riddled with pain and fatigue to function at a

normal level. Lucy has the natural ability to provide me with compassion and

unconditional love daily. Loneliness was a side effect of chronic illness that I

was not warned about. With Lucy's help, the feeling of isolation has given way

to a sense of purpose in caring for her and to a more fulfilled Fibromyalgia

life with my unlikely, furry companion always by my side.

[Guest guest]

I love this story! Thank you for sharing your uplifting tale!

Blessings,

Horzepa

Andromeda (White Oriental kitty, rescued 08/21/11)

Baby Eleanor (terrier mystery mix, rescued 01/28/95 - crossed the

bridge10/31/10)

CH. Hemlock Lane No Place Like Home " Isadora " - (ES 12/31/04)

CH. Lampliter N Honeygait American Idol " Simon " - (ES 12/20/04)

(co-owned with Dave & Judy Mates)

I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy by Cohen

© CF Alliance Newsletter

I could hear the birds singing outside as the glowing morning sun made a

beautiful wall pattern through my bedroom window curtains. It was going to be

another warm and sunny day that I would be forced to enjoy from my bed. I had

been bound to my bed for four days with no relief from the pain in sight. These

type of days had become frequent and I was accepting them as part of my new life

as a chronically ill person. However I knew there had to be more to my existence

than walking on eggshells waiting for the next Fibromyalgia flare-up.

A friend suggested I adopt a dog. A dog! I did not have the physical stamina to

walk a dog several times a day, just walking to the bathroom during a flare-up

had become a monumental task. Plus I had never had a pet, not even a goldfish

won at local carnival. The idea of a dog was as likely an option as racing in

the Tour de France or playing for the World Cup. Since Lance Armstrong and Pele

had not called me; this ridiculous canine idea quickly left my thoughts.

However it did not leave my friend, 's thoughts and he telephoned me a few

nights later to say he had found the `perfect' dog for me. I assumed he was

calling for me from a local toy store, holding a Snoopy doll. After listening to

his message, I quickly feel asleep and forgot about the conversation. The next

morning I checked my email and there was a message entitled `Lucy, Your Girl'. I

clicked on the email and there was an animal shelter's phone number and a photo

of a silly dog wearing 's sunglasses and his baseball hat. Needless to say,

I was still laughing as I dialed the animal shelter's number. The following

week, my father and I drove to Animal Haven in Flushing, New York to meet Lucy

and she has been `my girl' ever since.

[Guest guest]

We should all have a Lucy in our lives, thank you for sharing your wonderful

story!

>

> I Love Lucy by Cohen

> © CF Alliance Newsletter

>

> I could hear the birds singing outside as the glowing morning sun made a

beautiful wall pattern through my bedroom window curtains. It was going to be

another warm and sunny day that I would be forced to enjoy from my bed. I had

been bound to my bed for four days with no relief from the pain in sight. These

type of days had become frequent and I was accepting them as part of my new life

as a chronically ill person. However I knew there had to be more to my existence

than walking on eggshells waiting for the next Fibromyalgia flare-up.

> A friend suggested I adopt a dog. A dog! I did not have the physical stamina

to walk a dog several times a day, just walking to the bathroom during a

flare-up had become a monumental task. Plus I had never had a pet, not even a

goldfish won at local carnival. The idea of a dog was as likely an option as

racing in the Tour de France or playing for the World Cup. Since Lance Armstrong

and Pele had not called me; this ridiculous canine idea quickly left my

thoughts.

[Guest guest]

Amen, ! I have 2 cats, and have been sick (but not bedbound) for about a

year and a half. I am checking into getting myself a dog very soon! I've been a

dog owner, and wasn't sure if I could do it, but this little girl I found

through petfinder.com just touched my heart. I hope to meet her this week and

see if we're a match. So glad Lucy has entered your life. Service dog or not,

she is there for you. :-)

Thanks for you post!

>

> I Love Lucy by Cohen

> © CF Alliance Newsletter

>

> I could hear the birds singing outside as the glowing morning sun made a

beautiful wall pattern through my bedroom window curtains. It was going to be

another warm and sunny day that I would be forced to enjoy from my bed. I had

been bound to my bed for four days with no relief from the pain in sight. These

type of days had become frequent and I was accepting them as part of my new life

as a chronically ill person. However I knew there had to be more to my existence

than walking on eggshells waiting for the next Fibromyalgia flare-up.

> A friend suggested I adopt a dog. A dog! I did not have the physical stamina

to walk a dog several times a day, just walking to the bathroom during a

flare-up had become a monumental task. Plus I had never had a pet, not even a

goldfish won at local carnival. The idea of a dog was as likely an option as

racing in the Tour de France or playing for the World Cup. Since Lance Armstrong

and Pele had not called me; this ridiculous canine idea quickly left my

thoughts.

> However it did not leave my friend, 's thoughts and he telephoned me a few

nights later to say he had found the `perfect' dog for me. I assumed he was

calling for me from a local toy store, holding a Snoopy doll. After listening to

his message, I quickly feel asleep and forgot about the conversation. The next

morning I checked my email and there was a message entitled `Lucy, Your Girl'.