AlzCare - Alzheimer's Care and Facilities in Texas AlzCare - Alzheimer's Care and Facilities in Texas AlzCare - Alzheimer's Care and Facilities in Texas Sodalis Elder Living - Assisted Living in Texas                                                                                        

Alzheimer Hot Line

1-800-272-3900

Open 24 Hours a Day

E-mail me - joan@thealzheimerspouse.com


  

 


JOAN’S BLOG – FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2012 – HOW ABOUT A PARAKEET?

Before I begin, I must inform those of you who are unfamiliar with my animal tastes, that both my husband and I are unabashed dog lovers. Crazy, totally in-love with dogs, dog lovers. We had dogs for the first 36 years of our marriage. Our last dog succumbed to cancer a month before we moved to Florida.

In 2008, a year and a half before we moved to Independent living, I wrote a blog contemplating the pros and cons of getting a dog. After you weighed in with your votes, most in favor of a new dog for us, I decided it was not a good idea, for all the reasons it is still not a good idea. Sid is physically disabled now, can barely walk; is quickly declining mentally; and needs more care than ever. I am trying to take care of him; manage my father’s care; handle everything in the house; run two businesses; and take care of myself. I am NOT taking on the responsibility of a dog. I am NOT walking a dog.

Yesterday, while I was visiting my father at the ALF next door, I noticed a new resident in the lounge at the end of his hallway. It was a little green and yellow parakeet in a cage. She was very attentive when I went to the cage to talk to her. She came up to the side where I was; turned her little head towards me, and seemed interested in what I had to say. When I walked away, she chirped and chirped. A little light bulb went off in my head, and I thought – “Why not a parakeet?” When I was a child, my parents would not let me have a dog because my mother said she would be the one who would end up taking care of it, but they both agreed on a parakeet. So from the time I was about 7 years old, until I was 19, I had parakeets. I talked. They listened. I loved my parakeets.

Now I have this parakeet bug in my head, and am thinking that it might be good for both of us. Sid will complain at first, of course, because he wants a dog, and only a dog, but I am willing to bet that eventually, he will warm up to it.

I am also thinking that perhaps having a pet will keep him from obsessing about every body ache and pain he experiences. Granted, his knees, back, and shoulders cause him a great deal of pain, but even with the new pain patch and oral medication, he whines and complains ( I often think to gain sympathy from me) constantly. He does not move without complaining. The closer I am to him, the louder he grimaces, grunts, and whines. Maybe talking to a bird and watching bird antics will distract him from himself.

Thankfully, I have slept on the idea. I wrote the blog last night, and woke up this morning to the usual rush in trying to get Sid ready for his Alzheimer Activity Center. I honestly do not have the time to devote to any more living beings. Sid, my father, and myself take up more time than is available to me now. I guess there was a reason my dear, sweet Casey died before we moved to Florida. It is not in the cards for us to have a pet anymore.

I currently have an electronic aquarium in my kitchen. If I want to see fish swimming around, I simply turn it on, and watch the colorful fish swim. No cleaning, no walking, no feeding. That is the extent of the pet responsibility I am able to handle as Sid’s physical and cognitive conditions continue to decline. In the meantime, if I feel the need to watch a bird, I can visit Coco at the ALF.

MESSAGE BOARD: Joan's Friday the 13th Blog - How About a Parakeet?

 Feedback to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com
©Copyright 2012 Joan Gershman 
The Alzheimer Spouse LLC
2012 All Rights Reserved
Under penalty of copyright laws, this information cannot be copied or posted on any website, media, or print outlet, without referencing the author and website from which it was taken.

 

 

 

 

 

 CUSTOM DESIGNED SCARVES AND MORE

 

  

  

 

 

 

The material included on this website contains general information intended as information only. This site is not intended to provide personal, professional, medical, or psychological advice, and should not be relied upon to govern behavior in any certain or particular circumstances. The opinions in the blogs are solely those of the owner of the website. The opinions on the message boards are not necessarily endorsed by the owner of this website, and are the opinions of those persons writing the messages. All material on this web site is for demonstration and informational purposes only.           

The Alzheimer Spouse LLC 2010 All Rights Reserved        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

Custom Search

Products to make care giving easie

Products Designed by Joan