My Girl Samantha (Boxer)

By samantha2011

1 min read

I don't know many people who have MS here in the high desert of California. The heat is brutal and makes me hurt even worse than anything. My Father seems to not care if it's hurting me or not he keeps the house hot. But, when it comes to my baby Samantha who is a five year old boxer. She will cuddle and make me feel better. Not to mention she and I don't fit well in a twin so she takes most of the bed. I'm left with almost nothing but the floor which some days wouldn't be so bad due to the bed hurts my back.

Pets help us feel better and help us keep going and to fight. I know I have wanted to give up. Then I stop and think of my Samantha, who would love her as I do and the answer is no one would so I keep fighting no matter how much I hurt. But, her cuddles are mommy and baby time for us. She loves to run in the desert with our 4 other dogs (father and stepmothers dogs). So when I can go out with them to let them run I take her and let her run. She stays close and she never lets me out of her sight.

Samantha has learned my alarms for my pain meds and wakes me most times to remind me to take them, because I forget and just shut off the alarm.

She does silly things to make me laugh and smile which I find every day it gets harder and harder to do after fight years of fighting. The last year and a half has been the worse for me being here with no help with the issues.

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Meagan Heidelberg Moderator
Hi Samantha2011, Thank you so much for sharing with us and our community. It's amazing what pets do for us, isn't it? So great that you have her there with you. Here is some information that you may find interesting on pets and MS; <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net/spotlight/the-health-benefits-of-pet-ownership' target='_blank'>https://multiplesclerosis.net/spotlight/the-health-benefits-of-pet-ownership/</a>. Also, you stated that you know no-one near you with MS. I'd love to give you a resource that you may find helpful; <a href='https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Resources-Support</a>. You can put in your location and find support groups, and programs & services for MS. Plus more! We want you to know that you're not alone and we do appreciate you sharing and being a part of our community! Best - Meagan, <a href='https://multiplesclerosis.net' target='_blank'>MultipleSclerosis.net</a> Team Member
parker1133 Member
Samantha I have a boxer also, his name is Parker and he is 9. He as well rarely lets me out of his sight. He has helped me so much and has allowed me to cope better with the daily struggles of MS. What you said was great and really rang true for my situation as well. Thanks, Brian. PS: Parker is a bed hog also.
marieantoinette Member
Dear "Samantha2011," I am so glad you have your sweet Boxer "baby" to keep you comfortable and happy. Dogs have such big hearts and their faithfulness is a beautiful thing. I hope that you find a good support group, or that your doctor can recommend some other resource to get you the additional support that everyone with MS needs. It is important to be able to talk to others about what you are experiencing. I wonder how your Dad would respond if you gave him a copy of an article that talks about how high temperatures can make people with MS feel worse? That might be something to try, if you think he would read it? God bless you, Sweetheart. I hope you are able to connect with people who will love you and support you like your Boxer does. You deserve it. Lisa