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• August 17, 2012 3:33 a.m.

  One of the first things I did when I got home after having my last chemo treatments was to get a puppy. I already had 2 wonderful dogs, but I wanted the puppy and I promised him that I would do my very best to stay alive as long as he does. He is so funny and keeps me laughing all the time. He really perked up the two older dogs too. They are little angels that help me on this journey.

  - MJ

• May 30, 2012 5:32 p.m.

  During my radiation and chemo for rectal cancer both my miniature Daschunds, Alfa and Romeo, would snuggle up to my lower back to keep me warm and help with healing. They would help me thru the sleepless nights. Always ready with a kiss. They knew where the problem was. They are my happy place.

  - Peter

• May 3, 2012 8:28 a.m.

  I have to thank my Pomeranian Brandy for being with me thru my bout with Breast Cancer. I called her "Nurse Brandy" because she was always by my side. She was very comforting, I would talk to her and sometimes cry and she would give me a kiss like she was telling me I would be ok She is the BEST gift my husband has given me. Mommy Loves her little Sweetheart (Brandy).

  - Nancy

• March 29, 2012 11:45 a.m.

  My cat is my best friend these days & nights. Intially was told by Oncologist to get rid of cat & litter. I did but after 4 weeks I saw him at the humane shelter deathly ill with upper respiratory problem. I asked to have him back. They were "happy" to do that. He is well again & rescuing me...

  - Judy

• March 15, 2012 10:20 a.m.

  8 months ago a little puppy was dropped in front of our house in the scorching louisiana heat, we brought her in and instantly fell in love! i named her Penny and at 23 lbs. and 1 year old she is the absolute joy of our home-jack russell mix- heaven sent ? YES-3 months ago diagnosed with scc of the epiglottis deciding on treatment direction as we speak but i can tell Penny is so loving i just cant believe i feel this way about this pup, she is in our life for a reason!

  - Ron

• March 8, 2012 6:16 p.m.

  My 2 ''boys'',Milo the cat and Stitch the chihuahua are MY REASON for living and fighting my ovarian cancer and maybe, not test confirmed yet, leukemia. Despite my medical condition I am living happy everyday !

  - Helene

• November 9, 2011 2:25 a.m.

  I feel really lucky... I was going through a very difficult time... I was extremely depressed and scared because for the first time in my life the next day was scarier than the last, life felt like it was too hard to continue on. I had a massive panic attack at my parents house and they called in a crisis team. Thanks to their recommendation along with the encouragement of my therapist I went and got a dog the very next day. I credit my yorkie with saving my life. I had to live every day because she depended on me.... I had to get out of bed because she needed me... I focused on the cute things she did rather than on the things I was worried about. Since then, I have become an entirely new person... I am happy and healthy and I smile every day because my yorkie saved my life and introduced me to a new community of people that I had so much in common with instantly! I am so thankful I was encouraged to get a pet... it was the decision that saved my life.

  - Sabrina

• October 31, 2011 12:38 p.m.

  Undoubtfully my two cats have been my greatest support. They are attuned to my low times and often stay close by me throughout the night when I am having a dark time. I cannot question their tangible love and supportive wishes for me to keep keeping on.

  - Cindy

• October 27, 2011 10:15 a.m.

  I rescued an abused beautiful little 7 pound 4 year old Maltese just a year and a half prior to my diagnosis for breast cancer. She was by my side and faithful companion through my entire cancer ordeal. Once successfully in my remission, my fur baby was diagnosed with a neurological problem which prevented her from walking. She became paralyzed and had heart problems. We had to have her put down a couple of weeks ago. It has broken my heart. But in the end, I realize that God gave her to me on loan. We healed each other. By her passing, Muffie knew her job here was done. I'm in remission now. I take comfort in knowing that I gave her the love and caring she needed, just as she gave me in my critical time. Her loss has devastated me so much more than cancer ever could. It is still so fresh. Her memory makes me think of the good times over the bad now.

  - Susan

• May 26, 2011 11:44 a.m.

  I have 2 beautiful and loving English Springer spaniels who were by my side every step of the way while I healed from my Bladder cancer surgery and chemo. Without them it would have been very difficult. Their non-stop love and care is irreplaceable.

  - Ron

• May 7, 2011 12:39 a.m.

  Cancer for the rich. Wonderful!! Now what about the rest of us who get cancer and as a result are hit hard financially to the point where we have to give our pets up. Yeah - pets may help us through having cancer but cancer does nothing to help us keep our pets.

  - Eileen

• March 29, 2011 10:55 a.m.

  HELLO IM A CANER SURVIOR JUST FINSH MY CHEMO TREMANT'S ON FEB 13/ 20011 AND MY RADISCTION ON MARCH 23/211 ,I ALSO HAVE A PET HE MAKES ME FEEL WANT IT AND LOVE AND I CAN TALK TO HIM ABOUT HOW I FEEL AND HE IS THERE FOR ME. THANK YOU DIANA

  - DIANA

• March 20, 2011 6:54 p.m.

  I have my 3rd renal cancer (in lungs this time). I have a black rabbit age 5, a black lab age 3, and a tabby, age 2. This winter, they have been indoors with me, so they have never let me be sad.

  - Bobbi

• February 3, 2011 10:56 p.m.

  Today I had to put my best friend, Miss Kitty, to sleep after 16 years of devoted love and companionship. It was such a difficult decision because my furry friend had been my source of support and love, and quite frankly I'm not sure what I will do without her. Four years ago I was diagnosised with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia. Miss Kitty was always there as a source of healing for my aches and pains, a listener when I was feeling frustrated or angry about my situation, or a comforter to give me a rub on the leg, a nudge on the chin or sense of warmth and love as she sat on my lap or slept on my bed every night I will miss her terribly and wonder tonight how I will replace my devoted caregiver. On the days I felt the worse I always knew I was needed by her to take care of her needs and that gave me a sense of purpose and reason to stay positive about why I needed to stay strong and healthy for her. I know it will take awhile to grieve her loss, but in time I know I will find another kitten to fill the void. A pet's unconditional love is a very important aspect of the healing for a cancer patient and/or survivor.

  - Valerie

• January 16, 2011 5:55 p.m.

  I am undergoing chemotheraphy for breast cancer and my husband is undergoing chemotheraphy for stage IV lymphoma. We worried about being able to take care of our three furry angels in the beginning but have found that without them we would be lost and they would be lost also. We have made it work and thankful for it.

  - Barbara

• December 19, 2010 9:52 a.m.

  Before my throat cancer and ultimat laryngectomee, we had/have three wonderful cats. One, Midnight is 17 of our years old, Shadow is 7 years old and boots is a spry 3 year old. They would talk and listen to me before the cancer and now I am confined to clicking noises and finger pointing. They are so intelligent it sometimes amazes my wife and me. It is a perfect day to sit in my lounger and a complete lap full of cats. They seem to know that I am different now and take that into consideration when I admonish them to do something. One will allow you to brush her for hours, one wants nothing to do with brushing and the third, because of her age, loves our attention. I never could speak 'cat' before the loss of my voice and I don't need to speak it now. They are truly a pleasure to have.

  - Bob

• December 13, 2010 7:26 a.m.

  I have been digianosed with breast cancer12/6/2010 I have two Collies and two shelties they are constantly kissing me and loving me along with my husband It really feels good to know you are loved this much.I feel like they will be helping me heal threw my cancer will be a rough year to go threw but the love of my dogs and husband will help me heal

  - Dorena

• December 10, 2010 5:31 p.m.

  I have had my terrier mix, Charlie aka "Po-po" for the last 5 years. He has been of such comfort to me during these trying, fearful times...he always senses when I am not up to really paying attention. He lets me know he is there to snuggle with but if I feel that I want to be alone, he seems to truly understand. He just comes by, looks at me with those big eyes, puts his head on me for a quick pat or kiss, and then curls up either next to me or in the same area as where I am, lifting his head once in a while to make sure I'm ok...he knows what to do and senses my feelings. God sent him to me to give me a reason to continue this battle. I dread the day of my demise (multiple myeloma). He is not as independent as he once was, checks on me, looks straight at my face as if to "read" me. At night, he hops in my bed, snuggles, then when I turn the tv off, he knows it is time for sleep, so he gets down and gets on his bed. During the night, he hops in my bed, sits and looks at me, then snuggles again until morning. What pleasure he brings to my otherwise sad life after my diagnosis...he needs me, but I need him more. LOVE THAT DOGGIE!!

  - Yolanda

• November 23, 2010 10:16 a.m.

  I cant say enough about our pets helping us. As others wrote ,our pets are so special in our time of need. Everyday my mind thinks what will happen to my dogs if I die? I have a family member that will take them ,but I know with me is best and where they would be happiest. I have to beat this for their sake as well as my own. my love of and for them helps me to not dwell as often on my cancer. I find that I want to do any and everything I can do or find to win the cancer battle, they need me with them While in the hospital for the pancreatic whipple surgery and recovery stay, my thoughts were about my 2 toy poodles and wanting to hurry and get well to go home to them.. Knowing they were missing me and not understanding why I was gone so long. Wondering if my family were caring for them the way I left instructions.to do. When I returned home, they stayed always where I was during my recovery. Understanding that I couldnt walk them, or play fetch. I am a widow and live alone they keep me active since I have to care for and play with them, Im doing chemo and they seem to understand the times Im feeling really fatigued and lay down.to sleep a couple of hours earlier than our usual nap time, my love for them keeps me going

  - martha

• November 15, 2010 3:20 p.m.

  Wife discovered she had Breast Cancer in April 2008 and had a double masectomy in May. During her chemo and radiation treatments, she would be so weak she could not climb into the bed. Gracie, our oldest Great Dane, would lay beside her the whole time. One day after a nasty round of treatments, my wife collapsed on the floor by the bed. Gracie, jumped on the bed and walked over to her side and lowered her head. My wife reached up and gently grabbed her collar. On her own, Gracie understood, she pulled my wife up and into bed. Once my wife got settled in, then Gracie layed down with her back against her leg and Gracie's head on my wife's chest. She waiting till my wife fell asleep before she would sleep. In September of 2008 while my wife was still going through treatments, I get diagnoised with Colon Cancer requiring complete removal. Through all this, our Danes were a source of joy, companionship, and physical help. I would have trouble getting out of a chair after my surgery, my wife still wasn't able to help me, so one of the Dane would let me grab their collar and pull me up. Today, my wife and I are doing great, and we pamper our 3 Great Danes, because they are family to us.

  - Doug

• November 5, 2010 3:49 p.m.

  I have prostate cancer, live alone, no living relatives left. However, I have three WONDERFUL PUGS that keep me going on every day. I am so pleased to have them andd they are happy with me. We talk and watch T every day and evening. I could not hold on without their love and care.

  - Jack

• October 29, 2010 9:30 p.m.

  We have an 8 month old rat terrier, Merri and believe me she truly is! My husband has had kidney cancer 20 months now. He had his left kidney removed 2/09 and the scans were clear till 12/09. It was back in his liver. Started chemo pill treatment and was shrinking. During this time our son had another rat terrier, Cookie, we would keep from time to time. She died this past May. My husband took it very hard. When she was here she was his buddy and he was hers. We got Merri for both of us but especially for him. What a treat and she truly is a merry little gal!!! Six wks. ago they found a tumor on his spine. He had surgery and will have his 10 treatment this Tuesday. He has some paralysis in both legs and is getting physical therapy. He uses a wheel chair and a walker. Merri is on his lap every time he is in the wheel chair, gives him goodnight and goodmorning kisses. If I'm busy in the house she usually will lie down between his legs when he's in the recliner. He was never a dog lover like I am but Cookie and Merri has given him so much love and attention, he can't help himself now. My opinion they truly are a part of therapy in healing us emotionally

  - Janet

• October 28, 2010 12:23 p.m.

  It was great to read your article. It's all very profound and overlooked as a therapy. I use my pet as a therapy dog when counseling people diagnosed with Cancer. A dog engages people through their unconditional acceptance and non-judgmental way. They give empathy freely. We have clients come only on days that my dog is working.

  - Martina

• October 28, 2010 12:17 p.m.

  I am a survivor of 6 year now and I owe my recovery a lot to my dog Phoebe. She was the one who as a puppy kept climbing up on to my chest to get close and this is how I discovered I had a lump in my breast. I was told I had Stage 3 and went through months of chemo, then surgery and radiation. Phebs was always there and would wanted to go outside and she pushed me to take her out. I was so sick, but knew she needed attention and forced myself to get up and walk her. Today I remember those walks and all the attention she gave me. I had great support from my husband, friends and especially the Phebs.

  - zzzRookie

• October 24, 2010 10:45 a.m.

  What "no name" wrote says it all. Our two dogs have helped me so much through my treatment. They have stayed by my side. I have talked to them and hugged them every day. When I had some problems with passing out after some intense chemo my dear dog Walker would stand by the bathroom door in the middle of the night when I would get up watching to make sure I was okay. He has recently passed on. By coincidence it was on the day of a PET scan I had which showed cancer progression. My buddy is still with me. I know and feel this every day. Dogs and other pets give so much joy to all of us. Our other dog now walks with me down the road every day and continues to stay by my side. He helps me to remain hopeful about the future. I have told him that he is a gift to me as Walker was. He is helping me. Dog lovers tend to all understand the specialness of their wonderful companions.

  - dog lover