Silvio helps soothe the pain
We've had Silvio for about three years now (and it's been a very long three years). My boyfriend, Chris, and him haven't always seen eye to eye. But, yesterday Silvio showed a side we've never seen before.
Chris and I play in our company softball league on Sundays — he made a great play from shortstop, running into the outfield to catch a pop fly. Just as he caught it he came down on his ankle wrong and rolled it badly.
When we got home he hobbled upstairs to our bed while I prepared a large bag of ice. While he was resting I stayed downstairs with the dogs (to keep them out of his hair) but Sil wanted to be with Chris so I let him go upstairs. (this is unusual because Sil usually clings to me)
Sil stayed with Chris all day. Everytime I went up stair Sil was snuggled up next to him.
Later in the afternoon the dogs needed to go out and Chris decided it was time to test out his bum ankle. To make Chris' life easier I walked three of the dogs which left him only Sil.
As we were walking Chris yells for me to look at Sil. As he was hobbling along Sil is walking a the same pace as he is (slow), which is unusual because he normally walks very fast.
He also kept looking up at Chris every 20 seconds or so. It was so strange. It was like Sil knew there was something wrong with Chris. I know this probably doesn't sound like a big deal, but I was completely shocked by Sil's behavior.
The Dog Whisperer always says our dogs react to our energy but this is the first time I believe him.
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
I have a dog (Niles)that's very attatch to my kids however, one afternoon I came back home from work and told my husband and kids "you guys I have a terrible headache, I'm going to bed, order pizza or something for dinner and for the love of God don't anybody come upstairs to me for any reason." a few minutes later my son was trying to come in my room and guess what the very dog that loves him so much wouldn't let him in, my son was puzzled and I could hear him asking Niles what's wrong boy, what's wrong boy? and the dog would bark a kind of a shy bark so my son finally said OH!!! I get it you don't want me to wake up your mommy huh.
So I 100% believe they do sense when something is not right, I kind of think they are in the mood their humans are, if we're happy they're happy, sad if we're sad
Posted by: Marsha | April 21, 2008 12:13 PM
I'm not surprised, Angie -- I truly think our animal companions can sense when something is wrong, especially when we are sick. I had to spend a few days in bed last year, due to a health issue. Frances Jeanne jumped up onto the bed and spent most of the day with me. This is a cat that normally is all attitude, but she wanted to be close to me. After it was over and I was up and about, she returned to her usual behavior.
Posted by: Diane Lade | April 21, 2008 1:18 PM