As most pet owners are no doubt aware, sharing your life with a friend of another species can be very rewarding and it can also be very funny!

The antics of an animal can be hilarious... how many television shows are dedicated to funny home videos that have been sent in - and how many of those videos feature animals?*

The therapeutic benefits of laughter and humour have been explained elsewhere on this site, so if laughter is therapeutic and our pets can make us laugh - does that make them therapists?

I think so. Here’s some information on my learnéd companions: Rosie and Gina.

Rosie, my Border Collie could be described as ‘square eyed’ - she’ll sit and watch numerous programmes such as ‘Monkey Business’ and 'Pet Rescue' : her favourite is 'Frasier', and for some reason the end tune always makes her bark or give a low growl.

Gina, my Cairn Terrier. Likes nothing better than to ‘steal’ socks and then run behind the sofa with them... well, there’s one thing she likes better and that is to be chased by my wife or I. The farcical ‘cops and robbers’ style chase that ensues may look contrived, but its all part of the game.

When out and about each has her own hobby - when we walk by the canal, Rosie likes to run backwards and forwards when she sees ducks, and appears to be ‘rounding them up’; this must be part of the Border Collie instinct and is often a source of amusement to passers by.

Gina’s hobby was one that at first I thought was coincidence - plane spotting! No matter how far away on the horizon or how high in the sky an aeroplane is as long as she can see the white vapour trail behind it she’ll start to bark and run in its general direction. To the best of my knowledge she has never caught one and I don’t know what she’d do if she did catch one - hopefully it won’t ever happen!

* Please Note: I am referring to the antics of pets and wild animals here and not those that have been trained to perform such as in circuses and zoos. I wish to make it clear that I find such things abhorrent... no animal should be forced to entertain any human being to make money for an individual or an organisation... my dogs entertain because they want to and we all take mutual pleasure in the interaction.

My wee doggie Gina was running around and wagging her tail simply because she'd stolen a toilet roll, and was having a whale of her time trying to get my wife and I to chase her to retrieve it.

I managed to get her to keep still long enough to take this photograph.

Apart from my two dogs, my wife and I also share our home with a wee gerbil called Tony who we 'rescued' - he needed a home and was unable to live with other gerbils which is unusual as often they are very gregarious animals. We soon found out that he was a vicious wee beggar and kept attacking us! So... persistance, love and care were the order of the day... he was let out for a run around the second bedroom for a couple of hours a day (and still is, every day), he's given plenty things to chew and keep him occupied, and most importantly he lives in a cage (I do hate cages, but a necessity unfortunately) in our lounge so he's got constant company... heck, if we're out we even leave the television on for him so he's got some 'background noise'.

Anyhow, within a couple of weeks he's turned from a vicious 'Gangster Gerbil' into a friendly little chap who takes an active interest in his surroundings, and will come to you when called during his two hour recreational spot - so you see persistance can be so very rewarding!

I consider gerbils to be the most curious animals that I have ever come across, and think of them as ‘rodent scientists’ because they want to investigate absolutely everything! For example, a cardboard tube in the centre of a toilet roll - they love these things: first they’ll walk around it, and then go through it, before finally chomping it to bits!

Here’s a wee tale about one gerbil we used to have - Cecil.

In the early hours of one morning, yours truly needed to go to the bathroom and on the way there, I noticed young Cecil strolling past quite nonchalantly; half-asleep, I simply nodded a ‘hello’ at him before initiating a slapstick style ‘double take’! How the heck had he got out of his tank? (I’m referring to his habitation here folks, not an assault vehicle)

Being the friendly little chap that he was (well... not so little, he was rather a plump fellow) he allowed me to walk over and pick him up; I returned him to his home and found that he’d got out by chewing his way out through the plastic lid, access gained by standing on a box inside the tank! So back he went, the roof was suitably reinforced and I managed to go back to sleep once more. Peace returned to our household... that is, until the day that one of the female gerbils Mina got out and made herself quite at home under the floorboards!

But that’s another story!

Some comments sent to me by people who use Pet/Animal Therapy.

If you'd like me to include your beloved friend or companion here, please email me at:

humourtherapist@hotmail.com

I read the stories on the freewebs.com/laughtertherapy site. They are great.

I have a few from the pets I have had over the years, but my favorite is the cat I have now. His name is Rocket. He is part Siamese and part tabby. He has beautiful blue eyes, but speaks very seldomly.

When he was a few months old, I bought him a Fisher-Price piano at a garage sale. He plays it when he wants to get my attention. If I do not get up in the morning when he thinks I should, he will play three notes and come into my room to see if I am getting up. If not, he will play three more notes. After the third time of trying to get me up
by playing the piano, he will jump on my bed and lick my neck. A cat tongue on your neck will get anyone out of bed!

Thanks for letting me share.

Mary Carr: Utica, NY, U.S.A. 

I have long hair and always put it in a ponytail for work. When I fix my hair or take my hair down Koda scratches on my leg, stretching himself up to see exactly where the hairband is. Once he spots it he positions himself at the exact place so when he jumps up he'll be able to "grab and go". Once he has it, it is impossible to get it back! Any other animal I have chased because they grabbed something will immediately drop it and run.Not Koda! He takes it with him and runs for his life!! It is the funniest thing too.

Once I was close enough to grab it and he wouldn't release!! I didn't know what to do! I didn't want to let go and hurt him. He took matters into his own...um...paws. He let go! I was hurting for a little bit after that encounter. My fingers hurt!

Now, to prevent these little incidents, I put my hairbands in the drawer. He's still mad at me about that, but now he lets me know.

If you have never been chewed out by a cat come to my house, he'd love to do it.

LaVerne: Casselton, ND U.S.A.

My three dogs provide me a great deal of therapy and entertainment, and all three are very different characters. There is the ever lively and endlessly optimistic Jessie (Cairn Terrier/West Highland White Cross) who never takes her eyes off me just in case I should want to take her for a walk or tickle her or give her a titbit. Then there is HRH Mollie (again, Cairn Terrier/West Highland White Cross), a lady in a dogs body if ever there was one. Always asleep, oblivious to the world unless you are prepared to pamper her. Will spend all day and all night on you're knee. A look from me across a room will move her to roll on her back awaiting my attention, she is so decorous though, she puts her tail between her legs to cover her breeding bits. Then there is Bessy (Jack Russell), bless her, she is a dipstick, totally off her head, she wants to be outside, she wants to be inside, onside, offside and upside down, She suffers from hyperactivity and is never still (Mollie hates her with a vengeance). She chases her tail and birds and paper and leaves and butterflies... guess you get the picture. I love them all, my favourite thing is on a cold winters night is to lie down on their mat in front of the fire with them. Mollie climbs onto my stomach, Jessie stretches out down my flank and even Bessy lies still after she has licked my face for an hour...They accept me as one of their own, and I find this very relaxing and therapeutic. So in a nutshell they make me laugh, they make me exercise and they make me relax, what more could a man ask.

Dave: Lancashire, England

I am much like u my pets mean so much to me and they are often the best medicine when nothing else seems to help. Today was a crasher many things happened and one of them was losing a pet. Like I told my hubby maybe I’m an idiot but its so sad to lose a pet. I think of Little Dar and it makes me so sad and then to look at my other two puppies and watch them play and wrestle around brings that little ray of light that I so much needed to get through a few more minutes.

U r so right sometimes they are the best counsellors, when nothing else seems to make u smile and the world is crashing down in front of u sometimes that little tiny bark next to your chair is all u need. There is therapeutic value in having pets and it makes me feel a little better knowing that someone else feels that way to.

Verna: Alberta, Canada

My ex mother-in-law (who was a horrible old bat) had a cat called "Friday". Friday was a beautiful grey short-haired cat. Some days you could walk past her without being skewered, other days she'd swipe at you as you went past. The funniest thing about Friday was she used to sit on top of the telly and when Neighbours came on, she'd turn it off by hitting the button in. We'd turn it back on using the remote, she'd turn it off. Usually we'd give up and go find something else to do, and Friday would go to sleep on top of the telly.

Suzie: NSW, Australia

I have 2 shi tzu's. Alfie and daisy and a shi tzu crossed with a Yorkshire terrier called Ernie. They all have very different personalities. Alfie is like an old man even though he is only 3. He is very laid back and loves to lie on the sofa all day, and when I go to put them all in the kitchen at night, he will run up stairs and will not come down, so he can sleep on my bed. And when he wants a cuddle he just comes up to us and paws our hand. daisy on the other hand is the opposite, she runs round all day like a mad head, barking and chewing everything. Ernie the youngest at 4 months old is just as mad he will run up stairs and bark like mad, just so that we can shout him back down, he thinks its some sort of game, he also sits in front of the sofa barking at us until we lift him on (even though he can get up by himself).Then he rolls over so we can tickle his tummy. I love all 3 dogs very much and would never be without them. A man's best friend really is his dog, my three are my best friends.

Sarah: Lancashire, England

I have an enormous black lab named Natrone. He is my buddy, like a son to me. But I swear, he is the most flatulent dog ever born. He lays on top of the A/C vents and rips them one after another(Natrone Bombs) He comes in and lays at the foot of the bed when my wife and I are err....having private time, and it really kills the mood. My 2 1/2 yo daughter says "EWWW Fat dog! That's stinky!"

Andrew: Texas, U.S.A.

My cats are brilliant - I don't think there's a day goes by that I don't giggle at something they do. They're deeply in love with my laser pointer - when I take it out of the drawer it's kept in, they come charging over to scent-mark it even before I light it up, purring like crazy. Then they spend the next half an hour hurtling round the room after it before collapsing in contented little heaps.

Mirath: Manchester, England

Our male dog has a pen of his own, along with a room attached to it, even has his own chair & couch (old furniture).
One day i took the shop-vac in to clean up the carpet & furniture and my dog Junie was jumping around and trying to play with me.
I got vacuuming the floor and Junie came over and started sniffing the hose attachment, went to lick it and his tongue went right up the hose.
I shut off the vacuum cleaner and he had gotten his tongue out (he was fine by the way) I, on the other hand, was laughing so hard i couldn't even stand up. If you could have just heard the suction noise it made when his poor little tongue went up the attachment, poor pup. Anyway, all turned out well, the dog was fine and his room got cleaned.
We also have a dog named Sneakers, who in the summer time, loves to go underneath our garage and lay in the cool dirt. My father had just finished putting lattice around my pumpkin patch and decided to dress up the garage a bit and put it all the way around the bottom.
As I'm watering my pumpkins i heard whining and i said "I swear i just heard a dog whine" my mother says "I didn't hear anything" ...All of the sudden i see this little white nose popping out through the lattice...my father had accidentally closed my dog in under the garage while he was putting up the lattice. So he ended up taking it down so she could get out.

Angie: NY, U.S.A.

Jenny (Border Collie) used to make me laugh and feel safe. Rounding us kids up, as all border collies do, and she thought she was my mum so was quite protective and always knew if i was upset. Soft as ought she was even when we got a mad rabbit (Zac) who used to charge at her and headbutt her she never minded.
Nicky (Collie/Alsation & whatever else) is just mad! Most days he'll have half hour where he completely looses it and runs back and forth and all over the place.

Vicky: Derbyshire, England

The two pets I have now are merely months old(7 month bloodhound and 4 month old tabby cat), but they've still had their share of funny stuff.

However one of my funniest pet moments is from a past cat we once had named Raven(God rest her fat soul).

As you may have guessed, this cat was big, black, and fat. Well, we have a large garage in our backyard and we forbid the cat to go in there. We didn't want her scratching the cars, licking up anti-freeze, or gasoline and such. But one day I noticed a small hole in the back, probably no larger than my fist, but I went to mend it with duct tape anyway.

When I returned a big fat cat butt was hanging out of the hole and I soon realized it was, in fact, Raven's big fat cat butt. I proceeded to pull her out and upon recovering her freedom, she writhed and spun in my hands, fell to the ground and assaulted my feet. I shoved her away(or as far as one can shove an eighteen pound cat)and she stuck up her nose and went to eat to calm herself down from all that excitement.

Tyler: Ohio, U.S.A.

I used to have a Great Dane (who's name was Tiny), and I often let her inside coz I loved her to bits! Anyhoo, I had my stereo playing the song I was listening to ended and then replayed again!?!
"What the?" I knew I didn't have the repeat turned on so I went to investigate: I found my Great Dane, sitting on my lounge with my stereo remote control under her front paw! It was too funny!!

Kazz: NSW, Australia

I have a Cow, have not named her, and she is approx 16 moths old. Got her as a day old calf. She is always there to greet me when I come outside every day. I always have something for her, except the odd occasion, but she made so much racket, that I now get something ready each day. A slice of bread etc. I will get a photo taken soon and post it. When I go into the paddock she chases me with her horns and jumps like a Gazelle when having fun, from side to side. She also runs around the paddock just like a dog runs around a couch when playing.

Jack: Victoria, Australia

I have 9 bunnies at the mo, 7 of them are only 3 weeks old, they are extremely therapeutic, If ever I'm upset I let em jump all over me and cuddle em lol. Thumper has a thing for suckin me nose too especially when I'm cryin, that always makes me laugh, Oh an havin to catch 9 rabbits to put em away is very fun, you put one in as two get out lol! Makes me forget me worries anyways.

Bunny: Lancashire, England

I have an 8 stone Rottweiler who thinks he is a lap dog. You certainly know about it when he leaps on to your lap of an evening for a cuddle. He hates us going out without him. It doesn't matter how we try to fool him he knows if we are going out and will sit at the front door staring at you with a defiant, just you dare try and get passed me look. Wouldn't be without him though. I love the way he cocks his head to one side when i am pouring out my problems to him. It looks like he really understands.
The frogs and fish in my main pond are wonderfully therapeutic. I sit down there for ages just watching them doing there own thing blissfully unaware of me.
I have a fox's earth at the bottom of the garden as well. It was wonderful last year watching the cubs play and grow amongst my vegetable patch.

Mark: Derbyshire, England

Neil I always like people who love their animals

I have a poodle (Ted) and a cat (erm, Puss, well she was a stray you see). Only the cat watches telly, her favourite movies so far are the Mousetrap (she was actually inspired enough to go looking for the mouse behind the TV) and the Aristocats (somehow she recognised cartoon cats).

Puss wears the pants in our household and can often be founding hiding around corners to spring out and frighten Ted half to death. But her very favourite activity is waiting until Ted gets up in the middle of the night to get a drink of water. Then she successfully 'cuts him off at the pass' ie blocks his passage back to bed. To the casual observer she is apparently indifferent to him, but Ted knows better. The only way he can get back to bed is woofing for someone to wake up and save him.

Juno: NSW, Australia

Neil...
I think this is a great idea! Pets have a wonderful gift that keeps on giving...unconditional love. I have had pets all my life and have worked in some animal hospitals and I see how they impact our lives daily. In fact I had a man who came in yesterday. His poor dog had hurt his eye again and he was back to get it checked out (from 3 months previous). The man had had major surgery since and he said that his dog helped him so much during his recovery time.
Personally, I don't know what I would have done without my dog Lucy. When I was having bad panic attacks and couldn't leave the house, she was like my best friend. I'd start to shake or freak out and she would jump up in bed with me and I would just pet her. It would help calm me down. She was the BEST dog (sorry Bonnie and Zack).

There have also been many studies shown that pet therapy helps people live longer. In nursing homes, cats and dogs live amongst the people and they love it! I used to take Lucy in with me to see my grandmother and her neighbors loved it.

Pet Therapy is great! I love animals so much. They can make everyone smile and they are such a delight to have around. I love the fact that they give unconditional love and they don't talk back.

Anyway, I could (Bonnie says hi) talk on and on about this stuff, but I just wanted to say what a great website!

Cindy: FL, U.S.A.

My dog has a problem when she's happy whilst eating. she catches sight of her wagging tail and thinks its after her dinner. She'll growl and warn it away, sometimes she'll take a snap at it!

Scott: NSW, Australia

Universal call to end the illegal killing of birds of prey

25 June 2008

A major new campaign and celebration launched by RSPB Scotland today has brought together an unprecedented number of organisations and individuals to stamp out the illegal killing of birds of prey.

Environment Minister Michael Russell MSP, will join a host of other leading representatives from conservation organisations, government agencies, landowning bodies and rural groups in a ground-breaking declaration of unity to sign a public pledge insisting there should be no place in Scotland's future for the illegal killing of birds of prey.

Signatories will also acknowledge the importance of birds of prey to Scotland's natural heritage and culture, the boost they provide to local economies and their wish to see populations recovered and restored for all to enjoy.

More info here:
Click This

Also: Please pledge your support by clicking on the link below, and join the growing movement of people who say killing birds of prey must stop.
Click This

This was in Horwich, Lancashire - the Georgia Pacific Horwich Carnival 5K Road Race.

How did it go?

Well, put it this way... we were two of only a few 'non-professional' runners I reckon... the majority had team colours and 'the proper gear' so it was a bit intimidating... especially since we are amateurs and have only been doing this for a couple of months!

But anyhow, we did it nevertheless... three laps of Horwich town centre plus 'a wee bit' added to make it up to 5K.

Our times -  32:02 for me, and 32:03 for Clare - and those are our personal best times!

My own previous personal best was 32:12 so this is excellent... also it's Clare's personal best (previous was 37:44) - so a double achievement for us - plus it was great to hear folk cheering us on and saying 'well done' (they must've seen my miserable face and decided to give us some pos. comments to help).

We came back, had a bath, then a walk with the dogs followed by a PIZZA BLOWOUT to celebrate (there's healthy eh?)

Anyhow, various friends, colleagues etc. sponsored us... the total we raised for charity (which also included money I'd collected via an ebay auction for two signed 'Dave Spikey' t-shirts) - £240!

And for taking part in the run, both my wife and I got a commemorative glass each!

Not bad eh?

The building you see on the glass is 'Rivington Pike' - here, click the thing below to see me running up to it...

Here... Click This Here Thing Folks!

Here's to the next run! 

28th June, 2006

Sponsored walk to raise money for this worthy cause... weather was okay... and we had a jolly good mooch about Pennington Flash (local beauty spot, Leigh, Lancashire, England)... Me, me missus, Rosie (Border Collie) and Gina (Cairn Terrier), and our friends Emma (human) and Mollie (Boxer).

All went okay except when we got to the end, poor Mollie caught her head in some brambles and had a cut near her eye... luckily some 'First Aid' was administered by me with the aid of tissue and clean water and she was okay.

Thanks to all who sponsored... we raised an amazing

£233!

Sponsored by friends and family, people at work and people from all around the www - a big

THANK YOU

to you all - without your help this wouldn't have been possible!

Anyhow - some information re: Last Year's walk which we did...

Total Amount Raised For 'Petsearch' last year - £197.50!!!

Many thanks to all who gave!

My wife Clare, our two doggies Rosie & Gina, and our good friends Emma & Molly (human & boxer dog) took part in a Sponsored Walk on 8th June, 2005 at Pennington Flash, Leigh (Lancashire, England) to raise money for charity - The Leigh and district branch of Petsearch (a charitable organisation that helps abandoned animals).

For more information on this worthy cause, have a look here at the official website:

http://www.ukpetsearch.freeuk.com/psabout.htm

Here’s some important info for your attention:

Yes... we did 'scoop the poop'!

Yes... they did spend most of the time off the leash... only when near traffic and wildfowl were they restricted.

Yes... we did take along plenty water and a bowl so that the furry friends didn’t get overheated!

Yes... they were treated to a fish & a sausage at a local chippy after the event (out of our own pocket I hasten to add... all donations are to got to Petsearch!) - I hope the vet doesn't read this part about us giving them an 'altered diet'... still, it's a one-off treat for 'em so who's going to say anything?

We got the sponsor forms and pestered the hell out of friends, family and colleagues into donating money to this worthy cause... this is the third time Clare, Rosie & Gina had done this walk, but a first for Emma, Molly and myself.

Also, I got a great response from folk through the internet who kindly made donations (as can be seen by scrolling down this page).

I have to say we had a great day... a two hour walk in bright sunshine, warm but not ‘too warm’ weather, pleasant surroundings and a healthy meal afterwards (well... maybe not, but a treat for all... Clare and I had some chips too!) - and most important of all, we raised money for charity: when I say ‘we’ I include everyone who kindly donated in that statement... very much appreciated folks!

And once more - thank you to all who supported us!