This aspiring 'legend' is no fairy tail . . .

Puss had his 'operation' yesterday.

When son Peter and I walked into the vet's reception we immediately encountered a very happy wannabe Cousin It dog going boing-boing-boing on the end of a lead. Puss went PUFF! and metamorphosed into a nasty hissing fuzzball.

The vet arrived and pushed us into his examination room before Puss could really lose the plot. This well meaning but misguided man injected Puss with a tranquillizer.

Puss said "Ha! You call that a tranquillizer? Let me show you tranquil ..." and mauled the vet's hand, making it bleed everywhere. The vet dismissed our embarrassed apologies and said, "He'll be fine. Pick him up at four."

When my husband Duncan went to pick him up at four, Puss's level of consciousness was a degree removed from comatose. He was off his face - legless, eyes and mouth hanging as slackly as a bloodhound's.

The vet explained: it took three attendants to hold him down and administer an anaesthetic which unfortunately failed to render Puss unconscious. So they knocked him out with some really serious stuff!

Puss is now a legend.


(Author, Elizabeth James, my eldest daughter.)

Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.

Comfort is ...

a kitten in repose! His name is simply, Puss.

Selecting a pet for ourselves or a loved one is a decision needing some serious contemplation.

Responsible pet ownership offers us so much more than simply having a domestic animal, bird, reptile, rodent, fish or whatever be our choice. In some instances our pet may even outlive us!

Careful selection appropriate to the owner's needs and also the pet's needs may offer us years of comfort, companionship and good health! Do take time to click on and browse through the links in this article, learning how important our decisions about pets are. The original decision to own a pet carries a lot of responsibility for many years to come.

Do you have a family pet story to share? Leave a comment to this article so we can share experiences together. You can remain anonymous if you prefer.

Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.

Do domestic pets pull at your heart strings?

Scientifically speaking, opinions vary about the heart health status of pet owners. However, there is plenty of evidence confirming emotional and general health benefits for those who adore their pets. The little kitten in this photograph belongs to someone in my family who rescued him from abandonment. Unable to locate owners, my family took this kitten to the vet for all those things that kittens need. He now has a loving home where the "I adore you" factor is definitely reciprocal! Do you have a story to share about your companion pet?


Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.

Dystonia and pet ownership: An unorthodox inclusion to treatment plans

Much has been written about the many types of dystonia, the diagnostic processes, presenting symptoms and appropriate treatments. However, thinking on a more lateral perspective about enhancing orthodox intervention strategies, the role of animal companionship is also worthy of recognition. This is particularly so when people become socially isolated because of living with the effects of dystonic symptoms.

Research shows that people with pets are less socially isolated because they find it easier to meet others in their community. Whilst it is estimated 12 million Australians have an association with pets, 63 per cent of households recognize domestic pets as family members. It seems those delightful little bundles of fur or feather do have a good effect on us by promoting our wellbeing.

Whether it be walking your dog, throwing a ball or just enjoying eachother's company, it is equally beneficial as stroking your cat while enjoying that amazing reciprocal relationship. If you have any form of cardiac disease you can rest assured, there is evidence that recovery following heart attack is recognized as being much quicker for those who have a family pet!

Pictured above are our delightfully neurotic geriatric labradoodle and our aloof but ever so loving cat, also of the geriatric kind! They give us much enjoyment and are devoted companions to eachother and to all in our family. By engaging with our pets I experience a reduction in anxiety when treatment begins to fade and spasms return.

Do you have a special relationship with a domestic pet? If so, what does this experience mean for you? Click on the highlighted links throughout this article to learn more about pet companionship.

Sue Bayliss. Cairns, Australia.