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Animal Companions

Do you have a pet that has helped you cope with life with a rare disease? Tell us about them and/or share a pic!

  1. I really love dogs. My Grandmother got me puppy when I was six years old. I really loved my puppy. I might get a puppy soon. Dogs are really loving and loyal. I don't know what kind of puppy to get.

    1. , there are so many to choose from, and so many adorable friends needing homes. It's a good idea to look at your home situation, and special needs, (like allergies, small children, needing a quiet home, needing a pet that is highly interactive, needing a pet that is not high-energy). Once you understand what kinds of things work for your family, you can do a little research into breeds and their characteristics - and then "meet" some pets. Just like us, they are different from one adorable furry little body to the next.

      We'd love to see your new friend when you find them. - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)

  2. My little boy is the rare disease warrior in our family and he has a dog that I am training to be his service dog. Chase

    1. , he looks like such a bright little spirit, and I bet he is a tremendous help to your son! - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)

    2. Wow that is so amazing that you are training a service dog for your son! As an owner-trained service dog handler (due to my own rare disease, narcolepsy) I know how much work goes into training them. But it has been SO worth it for me. However, there can be some barriers when it comes to owning a service dog, unfortunately. I discuss my service dog and my rare disease here: https://raredisease.net/living/misunderstood If I could go back in time, I wouldn't change a thing! Warmly, Tatiana (raredisease.net Team Member)

  3. I have another cute picture of my Pig and his HenPipi and Hamlet

    1. , since we have 5 hens, Hamlet did bond with Pipi. My favorite girl and boy. Nothing better than getting snuggles from them. Pipi is the only chicken allowed to share his food. Hamlet will oink at the others. Sometimes I put Pip on his back.

    2. , I think it's amazing and indicative of the fact that they are not "just animals" They have thoughts, feelings, personalities and form relationships! There are some rivalries with our cats, but everyone in the house loves Budge. And each cat has one or two preferential siblings". Cuddles to your babies! - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)

  4. Once I medically disabled, I needed more than a beta fish when my husband worked 6 days a week. As with so much with me, I am allergic to traditional pets. For over a decade I had been researching mini pigs (teacup and micro pigs are not real, they are underaged malnurished piglets). My hudband was looking into getting me a piglet, even though they are best in pairs. We got one and tried our best to raise the cutest baby pig. It is a miracle he survived as he was underaged and we were lued too. We did not give him the goats milk he shoul have had. Hamlet is 5, turning 6 in May. We joined the American Mini Pig Association and trained for tgerapy pig certification. He finished when he was 1.5. Hamlet is amazing with special needs kids, especially autistic children. It warms my SpEd teacher heart. The first time a non emotional non communicating child met him and had a bright face and gleeful laugh it brought tears to my eyes. I also learned, my little pig new I was dealing with a pouchitis flare up before I knew. He lays on my lower abdomen and by the next day the pain and distended tummy arrive. My pain management doctor notice a marked change in my dealing with my constant pain. He came with me to every appointment until her office moved into the cancer building. I have been on chemo for a year for a painful chest desmoid tumor. I have neuropathy flare up time to time, but chemo makes it more regular and messes with my balance. If Hamlet is walking with me, he keeps me balanced and I do not need my cane. He has identified cancer. My uncle was initially diagnosed with an early stage lymphoma and he went insane when my uncle came around. Turned out, he was stage 4 and we would have under a year left with him. He never got that agressive before. My uncle got a scatch from him that sent him to the er for antibiotics. That was when the severity was diagnosed, thank you FAP. My mom had cancer growing on the outside of her stoma. They thought it was just granulation. It did not look like cancer, but Hamlet would nudge the area. He has gotten me through a rough 3 years of pain and chemo. I call him my sour patch pig. He has 5 chickens he takes care of. He takes his coop protecting very seriously and will only share and bond with my favorite hen, Pipi. My chicken will come over to get held, especially on my tough days. I always have an animal to snuggle with. Especially at night as we get the nightly ninja pig ballet, where he quietly comes into the room and my line backer does this delicate graceful jump o to our raised bed, sleeping between us, often facing me and going under my pillow. I love when he wraps his hoofers around me. Sometimes he puts his hoof in my hand. We are a bonded pair. He can not too long withoutme. He gets upset and will go searching or try to escape his pen after 4 hours. I love my Therapy Pig who is also my ESA. My chonky 130 pound 2 foot pig. My little love. I watch video and pi tures of him at doctors to keep my anxiety down. We all know how anxiety a d depression are connected to us with 1 or more diseases.
    @HamletTherapyPigInAction @hamlet_therapy_pig_in_actionHamlet_therapy_pig_in_action

    1. , potty trained himself! Wow! Id love to see the ballet - I bet he is devastatingly adorable! - Warmly, Donna (Team Member)

    2. WOW I had no idea pigs were so smart! They sure are cute too. It's amazing to me that your pig was able to sense so many different illnesses in you and your loved ones. I was wondering, are you still on chemotherapy? How is that journey going for you? Do you have any diet or lifestyle changes that you are supposed to follow while on chemo? Warmly, Tatiana (raredisease.net Team Member)

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