When we lose our “Life-Partner”, we will experience an amount of grief we had probably never experienced. My father passed away fourteen years before my mother. Several years after my father died, I asked my mom how she dealt with living alone after over forty years of wedded bliss. She said that she missed my dad terribly, but she just kept on living, because it was just the thing to do. You just go on living. My parents didn’t have a family pet when my dad died, but I’ve often wondered if they did have a dog, how my dad’s death would affect the dog. Would the dog grieve because the dog and my dad were the best of friends? It’s been proven that animals do grieve to some extent. Should you ever experience this sort of thing, here are some helpful hints on how to handle the situation:
- Maintain some form of normalcy. Routine is the key. Keep walks and feedings consistent.
- Provide extra attention. Give your pet more cuddles and pats.
- Socialize. Some interaction with other dogs and people can lift the pet’s spirits.
When cleaning around the house, there are some household-hints that might save you some money. There’s no need to go out and purchase industrial type cleaners when the solution is already in your home. Here are a few examples: - Use denture tablets to clean the coffee maker. Fill the water reservoir with warm water, then drop in and dissolve two tablets. Run the coffee maker through a regular cycle, then again using only warm water.
- Deep clean the toilet. Pour a cup or two of white vinegar in the toilet bowl and let it sit overnight. In the morning, use the toilet brush to scrub the bowl.
- Red wine stains. As soon as possible, blot white wine onto the fabric, this will dilute the stain. Then follow up with a clean, wet cloth to get out the rest. Make sure you don’t rub the stain into the fabric.
I can’t remember a time when my doctor didn’t tell me to get more exercise. My problem is that I’m a bit on the lazy side and the thought of walking without having a destination seems a little silly. Since my recent bypass surgery, walking has become a daily event. I need to walk every day to build up my endurance so that I can return to the routine I had prior to the surgery. Walking for exercise is very important, but here are a few things to think about while walking to stay fit: - Walking can add minutes to your life. This enables you at 85 years old to spend an additional five months in a nursing home at $7,500 per month.
- I have to walk early in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing.
- I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven’t lost a pound. Apparently, you have to go there.
- If you are going to try cross-country skiing, start with a small country.
See you Out and About!
Norm Stutesman lives in Three Rivers. He receives mail at P.O. Box 103 in Three Rivers.
