When you get a dog, there are no guarantees about how they will deal with future things. Like your next dog, your next child, your next boyfriend. In those moments, I hope for great and plan for awful. At the end of the day, you figure it out. For me, I had no idea how my dogs would do with my migraines. My migraines come on quick, they last from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. During that time, I am down for the count. There is no opportunity for a slow introduction between your dog and migraines and I have never once seen an area on a rescue profile about ‘super well-behaved if they think a migraine is in progress’.
Max was great on migraine days. He would lay next to the bed (he was 100% against getting on furniture) and never made a peep. I figured he was my blessing dog, that I’d never find that again.
Melvin has been with me for hundreds of migraines. Hundreds! Where Max was great, Melvin is AWESOME. He requires absolutely nothing more than I can give on those days. He never asks to go out, he waits until I can make it downstairs. He requires no treats, even though I keep some in my bedside table for moments such as that. He never barks, even when I know he hears something.
Melvin assumes the migraine day position:
How did I get two awesome migraine dogs???!! When Jake came, I figured that streak had ended. That all hell would break loose. His normal noise factor alone made me immediately come up plans for him. I figured he’d have to be downstairs, separate from me on migraine days. Worse case, he’d have to go…FOR THE DAY, not forever. I was wrong. Even though he snores, somehow I can motor through that. Jake takes most of his cues from Melvin so he has learned to hunker down. Sometimes, if I get sick, I turn and he is there. Staring at me with THAT face and THOSE eyes. Almost as if to say ‘I’m here, you OK’? Best. Medicine. Ever.
My only rule of migraines is that once they are over, we don’t dwell, we don’t spend hours kvetching about lack of cures. It’s the least I can do for a life that has given me three awesome migraine dogs!
I mean seriously, imagine waking up to this face!
What awesome dogs you have there. Mr. Soulful Melvin and his Funnyface brother are just so completely awesome. They must get that from their mama.
We compliment each other very well!
So sorry you have migraines, but so happy the boys are good sports! I totally feel your pain, literally, I have been dealing with migraines since I was 14. It’s such a relief when the pups understand and don’t require a lot of attention when you’re out of commission!
I have always sensed your dogs were like M&J with you migraines! We are certainly in good company in the animal blog world with animal lovers and migraine empathy!
Oh my goodness, I am so sorry to hear you suffer from migraines! Used to get them pretty bad in my teens but (don’t hold it against me) I’ve outgrown them for the most part. I get headaches most days but it’s nothing compared to a migraine. I am so thankful both your boys are so wonderful and understanding! Sometimes I really think we need them more than they need us.
I am always so happy for people who escape migraines! And I agree with you, the dogs save us!
That is so sweet! I still can’t get over how amazing Lana was when I had my kidney infection. She held her pee for a long time and was gentle when I did have the strength to take her downstairs to potty. I’m so glad you’ve found dogs that are easy going when you feel down. Migraines are rotten, but your boys are great!
Corbin lives for migraine days. They mean lots of snuggling, and he’s all about that -as long as breakfast still comes at some point in the early morning. Thankfully, most the dogs that we’ve had in and out of the house the past 4 years, they’ve all seemed to enjoy the extra snuggles of mirgaine days. I learned this weekend, Mayzie has a habit for jumping directly on my head during migraines… then she just looks at me like “What? If I make it hurt worse, it’ll hurt less, right?” Then she snuggles in and snores loud. Maybe not the best migraine dog, but she thinks it’s all awesome.
-Corbin’s momma, Jenn
You are so blessed to have the best furry nurses in the world!!!! Dogs know love!!!! Bless you and sending well wishes always…Hugs
Ugh! I get migraines too, but luckily not too often. I’m sorry you have to deal with those, but awesome that you have dogs that know how to read you and cuddle til you’re better!!
I can’t even imagine how debilitating intense migraines are. I’m so glad that you have two boys as patient and wonderful as Melvin and Jake.
The life of a dog. It’s what we do. You’re all in a good place.
So glad the boys know how to chill. 🙂 Sorry about the migraines, hope that’s it for a long while!
Way to go boys, you take such good care of your Mom!
Probably you have not tried Pran yantra or tesla purple energy plates.These are natural,handmade and based on lights,sound,colours and vibrations.One has to place the plate on the painful part[head] for about 10 to 20 minutes.Users testify that that they felt the pain receeding.