Do You Have a Pet That Helps You Cope With COPD?

By Jackie English

3 min read

I do. I had two at one time (during my COPD years), Sophie and Penny.

Sophie was the best girl ever

Sophie was a beautiful rescue border collie mix that we got when our kids were younger. She was the best girl ever. She helped me wrangle the kids and I even think she thought that she was their mother at times. She was so good with them and then later on with my grandkids.

She was also good with me. Sophie was always by my side and knew If I wasn’t feeling well. She would lay by me all day in bed if I stayed there. She followed me everywhere, especially to the bathroom. Sophie enjoyed playing frisbee, catch, and she knew all kinds of tricks. Everyone who met her loved her. She thought she had to kiss everyone that she met or saw regardless of if they liked dogs or not.

Pictures of dogs in various Locations with Owner

We had to let her go

We had Sophie for many years but had to finally put her down in August of 2020 after much thought and consideration about what she had been going through. She had been going downhill for the last few years and we knew that we did not want her to suffer, so when it was time, we had to let her go.

Not only were we losing her, but just the year before that I had lost my dad to cancer in March. Then last year, not long before Sophie, my mom had passed away in June. The last three years have been so hard, but in addition to my family being there to help me through it, I also had Penny.

Penny's arrival

We had just gotten Penny in May of 2019 which helped with the loss of my dad a bit. Penny was seven months old when we got her. Just a little seven-pound fluff ball. She was more on the cute side where Sophie was more beautiful. My grandkids couldn't get enough of her. We never had planned on getting another dog (well my husband, not me haha) but we were fortunate to get the chance to give Penny a home when she was needing one.

Pictures of dogs in various Locations with Owner

Penny will be three in October, ten pounds, and is as spoiled as ever. She is the lapdog that I have always wanted. She sleeps by my side, and of course, just like Sophie, follows me to the bathroom or any room that I go to. She loves taking walks and playing with her toys and loves to bark at the squirrels. She enjoys her treats - especially boiled eggs that she gets just about every morning. She loved playing with Sophie and misses her so much.

Joy and companionship

I don’t think I have ever had a time in my life without a dog. I wouldn’t want to either. They provide much joy and companionship, especially with my kids grown and out of the house and with my husband working during the day.
Sophie and Penny both helped me with my anxiety also. They could calm me if I was having a bad day.

My life sure wouldn’t have been the same without our other dogs over the years and without my Penny Sue. I’m so grateful for the day that my son sent me a picture and asked me if I wanted a puppy that was looking for a new home!

Pictures of dogs in various Locations with Owner

Do you have any pets that help you through this crazy life? I’d love to hear about them.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Lyn Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT, AE-C Moderator
Jackie - I really loved reading this article! I'm sorry about Sophie, but so happy you have Penny. They make such a difference in our lives. Thanks for writing about such an uplifting subject! Lyn (COPD.net site moderator)<img src="/content/images/2021/09/22/8b1824a800494aeade314ad15a5758e3_medium.jpg" alt="Finn" class="uploaded-image"/>
Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Lyn Harper, RRT" user-id="2449585"/> Thank you! What a cutie you have there! 😍
kloker Member
Jackie - Great story! I'm a cat person, so my story is somewhat different. My cat helps me trip over my air hoses, and helps me replace them when they mysteriously somehow get holes in them - I have wire loom around all but the cannula now, works great. She is a tortie, and loves to play all night, especially while I am trying to sleep. She will bite my elbow or my nose or hand, or get right up in my ear and meow until I wake up and get up with her for a bit. She also eats like a horse, albeit a small one. But she is always there, my constant companion, lying on my arm while I watch my nightly baseball game (Go Cardinals!), and causing general mayhem. She's a hoot. I call her Poopie, but her name is Lucy. Without her life would be a lot less worth living.<img src="/content/images/2021/09/22/876f46784135ff8dd5f6c055ed1738af_medium.jpg" alt="" class="uploaded-image"/>
1. CommunityMember1791 Member
 To bad we don't have more people like my granddaughter she traps and neuters and returns wild cats and will come and take it and turn it into an indoor cat she already has a housefull
2. Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
 That's awesome, <inline-mention username="CommunityMember1791" user-id="4787253"/>! We do need more people like her. That's so nice that she does that. Please, tell her thank you. Best, Jackie (Author/Moderator)
cynthiajk Member
Loved reading your article and the replies, as well. I have moderate/severe COPD and you all know that can be a challenge. Back in the day, about ten years ago I had my beloved Quarterhorse mare that I sent to heaven at age 31, rode regularly, mucked stalls, hefted 25 lb bags of grain, and, of course, had a dog. Fast forward to six years ago and my diagnosis. Major downer. After many crying jags, temper tantrums and cursing fits I have adjusted. My Rat Terrier, Ivan the Terrible, was a rescue at age 3 -- hence the name. I would have named him Perfect. Prior to COPD I had Ivan certified as a therapy dog. We visited an MRDD school where he delighted the children and staff, a mental health facility where he was a giver of kisses and finally a nursing home where he dispensed love, laughter and a great deal of comfort. Ivan is now fourteen and still 25 pounds which had become more difficult to lift onto a hospital bed and his arthritis made it impossible for him to jump onto. We hung up our therapy dog certification two years ago with regret. In closing, although I am somewhat limited I have a wonderful four-legged angel by my side and we have made many many friends through the years. I know that simply "spooning" with Ivan for a nap or at night in bed is the very best medicine for my life! Ivan is shown here with one of his many friends, Bill, was the "curmudgeon" of the nursing home except with Ivan. Bill had been immobile for nearly ten years when Ivan strolled into his life and brought his own brand of sunshine. Thank you for reading and I hope Ivan brought a smile to you! <img src="/content/images/2021/10/10/2554b41fbdaeef5f5fa0e9fb05a5eebd_medium.jpg" alt="Ivan doing his job" class="uploaded-image"/>
1. Ptouri Member
 <inline-mention username="cynthiajk" user-id="2443919"/> the Golden Retriever that I lost to a brain tumor was also a therapy dog. We spent 7 amazing years volunteering as a therapy team in all sorts of facilities. Her absolute favorite place was a college where she visited every semester to relieve students’ stress. We had an incredible bond and losing her totally devastated me. We had continued our visits even after I was put on oxygen. She was a truly amazing animal, my best friend and soulmate. I miss her everyday<img src="/content/images/2021/10/13/03e0702fc2c3182cddc0f270c203bd02_medium.jpeg" alt="Grace at college " class="uploaded-image"/>
2. Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Ptouri" user-id="4261126"/> aww! What a sweetheart! 💜 Hugs!!!! Jackie (Author/Moderator)
Ptouri Member
I live with 4 animals - 2 cats and 2 dogs. They are my lifeline. One dog is a 6 year old Collie named Lacey. She was a show dog and was bred before I rehomed her last year. Then I got a Golden Retriever puppy named Fancy who is now 7 months old. What a crazy time it is around here!!! The two cats are not fond of the puppy but are tolerating her and their interactions sometimes prove very entertaining. Everyone told me I was too old (and too sick) to get a puppy but I had lost my 9 year old Golden to a brain tumor and was totally devastated and needed to have another Golden. So, I got Fancy! She's been a lot of work for me but I got her house trained very quickly and I'm working on training her and playing/exercising her every day. The Collie is the sweetest, laid back dog ever, so most of my time is devoted to the pup. She has given me crazy days, sometimes filled with frustration and annoyance. But for every one of those days, she brings me joy, a devotion to me that I don't have with the other animals. I love seeing her "get it" when I training her to do something, that "click" when she understands what I want her to do (or not do). She gives me a reason to get up in the morning, keeps me moving and has only chewed my oxygen hose once (by mistake). The cats are another story!! I also have wire covering on all my hoses. I would be lost without my animals.<img src="/content/images/2021/10/13/12d488dd99ec78540f29f9a0f4961902_medium.jpg" alt="Fancy" class="uploaded-image"/>
1. SamanthaSarube Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="Ptouri" user-id="4261126"/>, thank you so much for sharing! Fancy is absolutely adorable and I agree, pets definitely give you a reason to get up each day. Especially 4 of them! You must have a full house but one full of love. Wishing you a peaceful day. All the best, Sam S. (COPD.Net, Team Member). 
2. Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Ptouri" user-id="4261126"/> aww! Thank you for sharing! I had a collie named skipper when I was growing up. She was one of a few Collies that we had over the years. I'm so sorry for the loss of your golden. It's very hard to lose one of our pets (children). 😢 I feel the same about pets, they give us a reason to get up in the morning. Your new golden is such a cutie! Thank you for sharing! Jackie (Author/Moderator)
sgtcedar Member
I have a pitbull. She insists on walking about 4 times every day. We average about 4 miles most days. All the walking keeps my cardiologist and pulmonologist happy.
1. Jackie English Moderator & Contributor
 Hi <inline-mention username="sgtcedar" user-id="2437959"/>! That's awesome! I have pitbull grand dogs, love them!!! I'm so happy to hear that yours is helping you to get some walking in. Keep up the good work! Best, Jackie (Author/Moderator)