We have a smart and (a little bit overly) friendly 3 1/2 year old Labradoodle. When I’m having issues, she comes to me and lays her head in my lap. She is beautiful and caring. I use a pure meat and vegetable diet designed by an actress and owner of a dog rescue. She and her team of specialists came up with it and we are hoping that we can extend Mary Jean’s life up until we are near or already passed on. I really wish dogs had longer life spans. Breaks your heart when they are gone, yet you can’t live without them; I’ve had one or two with me as long as I can remember. Man and dogs have been part each other’s lives for so many eons, I am convinced, the need for their companionship is built into both dogs and us. There are certainly many tribes and civilizations that would never have survived would it not be for their dogs.

And I also have an elderly part Bengal cat who is as I am typing, lying comfortably on my lap: 15 years old. She is in kidney failure so I buy her prescription food. It will give her a few extra years.

I love them both dearly.

I have a black rescue cat. Ebony follows me everywhere. When I am down or in pain she gets on my lap and literally hugs me with her front legs and paws. She is my best friend and I love her. She brightens my days.

I always love your well-thought questions & this is one of your best. My Australian shepherd Rusty did the same for me - making sure that I got out of my recliner enough, ate enough, took him for walks enough & that I walked at a normal enough pace. Interestingly, when Rusty knew he was dying, he took John (then my fiancé) aside & transferred my care to him. John understood every word Rusty did not say. Pets like these are such special blessings in our lives. Once a mother was trying to comfort her son when their dog died. The boy observed that the reason dogs have shorter lives than we do is because it doesn't take them as long to learn how to give unconditional love. @A MyParkinsonsTeam Member, @A MyParkinsonsTeam Member - I love the kitty stepping stones! @A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

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Wow, that is awfully young to have to deal with this thing called PD.

Kevdog, this is DavidBrown3 in answer to your question I just turned 68.