Somehow I missed this comment when you wrote it, Steve. I was worried about picking up and dealing with dog poop. Then I found a solution I could live with. I wrote about it in another Substack post. I really don’t like the idea of single use plastic doggie bags and putting canine excrement into the landfill. So instead, when possible, I pick it up with leaves or Spanish moss or a stick (or a poop bag) and put it in the bushes or by a tree so it will go back to the earth when it rains but not be a hazard for human shoes…
I also found a dog at my lowest moment 30 some years ago on a 3* F February day. Murphy very quickly found his place in my Chiropractic office “assisting” me in helping to heal our patients of their mental/emotional stress.
Many prayers for your continued Healing...and yes, a puppy, a dog not only can get you up and , literally, moving thru your grief, but the stroking, cuddling is healing in itself.
I moved to NV to be near our adult children, joined by a new grandbaby..... my daughter & son-in-law gave me one of their loving puppies that I had the privilege of helping to raise...he has been my therapy dog, along w/ 2 elderly labs, one of which won’t be here much longer..... I left WI after 4 eye surgeries in my right after a farm accident, and a misdiagnosis, that resulted in my vision in that eye to never be the same....I truly feel for you as vision disruption/loss is so VERY difficult to accept/deal/grieve out of. When I am plopped down w/ all these dogs, I feel ‘normal’....they love unconditionally.....
So, I will continue to keep you in your prayers.... and your family also... as it affects the whole unit... I am sorry you have had to go through this ‘journey’..... God be with you....
Dogs are wonderful cuddlers and really understand about unconditional love. They forgive us our transgressions and are patient with our moods. Sorry about all those surgeries on your eye. Unfortunately I know all too well how hard that is. ❤️
Such a wonderful heart full share of you, your past, present and future dear Jennifer and the cherry on top is meeting and getting Nicole's story and how you now have Serenity. It brings to mind that quote...It's never too late to have a happy childhood. Sending love to you dear one and thank you for sharing your incredible gifts...including Serenity with us all.
Coming to this very late, after reading your "New Years Res" post today, February 15, 2026. Some real deep truths here about the world of animals healing people, and you didn't even touch on the microbiome bennies.
So glad this dog is traveling this challenging journey at your side and in your lap.
And you co-authored with Paul Thomas? Wow, that's a great pairing. Another co-conspirator and pioneer.
I'll be sharing this on Vital Animal News this coming Sunday, and hope you'll find an outpouring of support for the journey you're on.
Thank you Dr. Falconer. Serenity is a very very special and kind companion. She's helped me so much on this journey. I joke that she's the one person in the family to show me unconditional love. Not sure it's a joke. I learn so much from her. Dr. Paul Thomas and I wrote two books together: The Vaccine-Friendly Plan and The Addiction Spectrum. He's phenomenal.
Congrats. I am thrilled for you and for Serenity. I lost my Tio in January after 19 years and 4 months! May Serenity see you through the tough times and fill your heart with unconditional love. Animals bring that to us...unconditionally!
No dogs for me. I am enjoying this dynamic between my husband and I. We no longer have responsibilities for his mom (old like the dog) and the dog. So I have moved up on the list of priorities to the top ha ha ha. And my husband gets like an old hen, worrying a lot about things. So the dog was another worry. I am trying to reduce worry!
Thanks for the article and all you do. My dogs helped cuddle and support my will to keep going when diagnosed with shingles that has continued over 10 years from underlying lymphoma. They sense pain and despair and are 100 % supportive when no words can help. Thankfully the pain has subsided from morphine level and the Waldesnstroms is quiescent and my current 2 dogs sleep as close as they can get to me as constant loving supports.
Ten years of shingles with lymphoma sounds so painful and difficult, Diane. And your fur babies sound like the best companions. So glad to hear that the pain has subsided. Pain is no fun. I wish I weren’t quite so intimately acquainted with just how un-fun it is… ❤️🌷☀️
Thanks. Fortunately I was able to keep working in my solo holistic family practice despite chemo and pain. The last 5 years since covid and my lease expiring I work virtually from home and part time. Able to support my patients thru the pandemic with illness and long covid so feel I have been useful.
I am so happy you and Serenity have found each other. I have 9 therapists that get me through the tough times; 1 dog, 3 cats and 5 horses. Animals are the best!
So nice to see an update on your recovery! Dogs are weird—you can be certain you have no space for them but then you get a certain special one and they *fit*! Obviously the poop scooping isn’t as easy as with a cat but the cuddles are so so great 😀 and bonus of dogs is they make you get outside.
Blessings for your continued healing. The Serenity Prayer is my most favorite prayer - it covers all bases. Btw - DOG spelled backwards is GOD.
True. And when it comes to dogs, POOP spelled backwards remains POOP.
LOL :-)
Somehow I missed this comment when you wrote it, Steve. I was worried about picking up and dealing with dog poop. Then I found a solution I could live with. I wrote about it in another Substack post. I really don’t like the idea of single use plastic doggie bags and putting canine excrement into the landfill. So instead, when possible, I pick it up with leaves or Spanish moss or a stick (or a poop bag) and put it in the bushes or by a tree so it will go back to the earth when it rains but not be a hazard for human shoes…
🤣
I also found a dog at my lowest moment 30 some years ago on a 3* F February day. Murphy very quickly found his place in my Chiropractic office “assisting” me in helping to heal our patients of their mental/emotional stress.
Many prayers for your continued Healing...and yes, a puppy, a dog not only can get you up and , literally, moving thru your grief, but the stroking, cuddling is healing in itself.
I moved to NV to be near our adult children, joined by a new grandbaby..... my daughter & son-in-law gave me one of their loving puppies that I had the privilege of helping to raise...he has been my therapy dog, along w/ 2 elderly labs, one of which won’t be here much longer..... I left WI after 4 eye surgeries in my right after a farm accident, and a misdiagnosis, that resulted in my vision in that eye to never be the same....I truly feel for you as vision disruption/loss is so VERY difficult to accept/deal/grieve out of. When I am plopped down w/ all these dogs, I feel ‘normal’....they love unconditionally.....
So, I will continue to keep you in your prayers.... and your family also... as it affects the whole unit... I am sorry you have had to go through this ‘journey’..... God be with you....
Dogs are wonderful cuddlers and really understand about unconditional love. They forgive us our transgressions and are patient with our moods. Sorry about all those surgeries on your eye. Unfortunately I know all too well how hard that is. ❤️
Such a wonderful heart full share of you, your past, present and future dear Jennifer and the cherry on top is meeting and getting Nicole's story and how you now have Serenity. It brings to mind that quote...It's never too late to have a happy childhood. Sending love to you dear one and thank you for sharing your incredible gifts...including Serenity with us all.
So glad you and your puppy are together!!!
Coming to this very late, after reading your "New Years Res" post today, February 15, 2026. Some real deep truths here about the world of animals healing people, and you didn't even touch on the microbiome bennies.
So glad this dog is traveling this challenging journey at your side and in your lap.
And you co-authored with Paul Thomas? Wow, that's a great pairing. Another co-conspirator and pioneer.
I'll be sharing this on Vital Animal News this coming Sunday, and hope you'll find an outpouring of support for the journey you're on.
Thank you Dr. Falconer. Serenity is a very very special and kind companion. She's helped me so much on this journey. I joke that she's the one person in the family to show me unconditional love. Not sure it's a joke. I learn so much from her. Dr. Paul Thomas and I wrote two books together: The Vaccine-Friendly Plan and The Addiction Spectrum. He's phenomenal.
🙏🏻
Great story. My wife and I have really found solace with our dog and this Covidian period.
in this Covidian period.
So many layers to this story. Many blessings on your journey, and bless you for sharing it.
Thank you.
Congrats. I am thrilled for you and for Serenity. I lost my Tio in January after 19 years and 4 months! May Serenity see you through the tough times and fill your heart with unconditional love. Animals bring that to us...unconditionally!
That is sad. But what an amazing life span your Tío had. (I love his name.) Did you decide to get another dog? Or are you enjoying a dog-free life?
No dogs for me. I am enjoying this dynamic between my husband and I. We no longer have responsibilities for his mom (old like the dog) and the dog. So I have moved up on the list of priorities to the top ha ha ha. And my husband gets like an old hen, worrying a lot about things. So the dog was another worry. I am trying to reduce worry!
Thanks for the article and all you do. My dogs helped cuddle and support my will to keep going when diagnosed with shingles that has continued over 10 years from underlying lymphoma. They sense pain and despair and are 100 % supportive when no words can help. Thankfully the pain has subsided from morphine level and the Waldesnstroms is quiescent and my current 2 dogs sleep as close as they can get to me as constant loving supports.
Ten years of shingles with lymphoma sounds so painful and difficult, Diane. And your fur babies sound like the best companions. So glad to hear that the pain has subsided. Pain is no fun. I wish I weren’t quite so intimately acquainted with just how un-fun it is… ❤️🌷☀️
Thanks. Fortunately I was able to keep working in my solo holistic family practice despite chemo and pain. The last 5 years since covid and my lease expiring I work virtually from home and part time. Able to support my patients thru the pandemic with illness and long covid so feel I have been useful.
Get well soon and this is going to be a great dog!!!
Best wishes, Jennifer, on your continued healing. I'm glad you got Serenity! I got a pup earlier this yr too, for joy - https://buildingboys.substack.com/p/building-boys-bulletin-3-6-23
I’m so sorry to hear of your illness, and I hope your pup will expedite your healing process.
Thank you for sharing your life experiences and knowledge with all of us.❤️
Replying two and a half years late to this comment, Laura. Thank you. 🙏❤️
I am so happy you and Serenity have found each other. I have 9 therapists that get me through the tough times; 1 dog, 3 cats and 5 horses. Animals are the best!
They are. 🐎 🐎 🐎 🐎 🐎 🐈⬛ 🐈⬛ 🐈⬛ 🐕❤️
So nice to see an update on your recovery! Dogs are weird—you can be certain you have no space for them but then you get a certain special one and they *fit*! Obviously the poop scooping isn’t as easy as with a cat but the cuddles are so so great 😀 and bonus of dogs is they make you get outside.