Blog For Peace | Sweet Purrfections On Pets And Tricks

This year’s theme is “Courageous Peace in a Time of Great Change.” This theme can have so many meanings for each person, but there is a special personal meaning for us this year. 

Grandma Faye (Mom Paula’s mother) is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and Mom Paula is the major caregiver. Grandma Faye was always the sweetest lady and would do anything for anyone. Alzheimer’s has changed her personality in such a way that we never know what each day will bring. Grandma Faye can still be so sweet, but when “sundowner’s syndrome” or a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) hits, she becomes irritable, restless, verbally abusive, and mean.

Note from Mom Paula: I’ve always considered myself to be a strong individual who could handle anything that comes my way, even though I do suffer from anxiety attacks and depression. I’ve survived a divorce, earning a Ph.D., losing a job, several surgeries and illnesses, and retirement. I’ve always found a way to survive. 

I wasn’t prepared for the emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion that comes from being a caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer’s Disease. No one really warns you about the turmoil of personality changes during a day. One minute, mom can be so sweet and within a few seconds, she turns on me. She calls me names, slaps me, pinches me, and other things. I try to stay calm, but it’s so hard! There’s been times, I’ve walked out of the house because I couldn’t handle the abuse, but I always come back inside and do what is needed. My mom is still living at home with my dad, who is 88 years old and suffers from COPD and Peripheral Neuropathy. I have a sister who lives 2 hours away and she’s now coming down once a week, which gives me a break. I need major hand surgery on my right hand (dominate hand), but can’t get it because I need to be at my parents’ home each day. My physical and emotional health have taken a beating, but I’m trying to keep it together.

I am so blessed that I have Truffle and Brulee to come home to in the evenings. They are both there for me in different ways. Truffle has always been my emotional support and Brulee my physical support. However, I believe both of them are now in touch with my erratic emotions and are doing whatever they can to comfort me. Wherever I choose to go when I get home, they are both in the room with me. When I go to bed, both will jump up on the bed with me and Truffle will lay beside me on the left, touching my leg. Brulee is now climbing onto my lap with her front paws on my chest. Their purrs bring peace to my troubled soul and I’m so grateful for them. I’ve also experienced visits from Sweet Praline (RIP 2011) prior to my going to sleep. I feel a cat walking beside my legs when I lay down to sleep and I look up and Truffle and Brulee are not in sight. I truly believe cats have a 6th sense about our needs.

Brulee’s newest support of climbing onto my chest

No matter what you are going through in life, it’s important to find the time to take care of yourself so you can experience inner peace. You can’t do anything about the world around you unless you take care of yourself first. I hope each of you have a special cat (or dog) who is there for you for support.