I got my dog shortly after I was diagnosed. I was still in the denial,depression mode. He's a catahoula and high energy. He encouraged me to go outside and eventually take him for walks. Prior to that I had stopped walking around the neighborhood. If I stumble and fall, he kisses my face, wags his tail, and takes the "lets go" attitude. Therefore I have to get up and continue on, usually to find out the only thing I hurt was my pride. I call him my "soul dog", my hubby's my soul mate.

I definitely say YES to pets. In my case dogs. I had a schnauzer only but he was more protection and not so much hugs and kisses. So I got myself one for that. She is small and so loving. The best part my Schauzer learned to be too. Now I have two dogs that make me laugh and give me hugs all the time. It is a different kind of love and bonding.

My Dog is always attentive and protective of me..He senses what I can't do and just sticks by me no matter how slow I am.

We bought a Rat Terrier about two years after I was diagnosed with MS. He was the most incredible dog I'd ever had. In ways, I was closer to him than I was to my husband (not in a creepy way or disrespecting my husband). We were together all day until my husband'd get home from his work.

On my really bad days, he knew and he'd lie beside me however long I stayed in bed. We were super in tuned with each other.

Sept of this year he took his last breath in my arms, as the vet put him to sleep. We gave him 2 shots a day for a year because he had diabetis. Then we found out he had cushing disease and there was no hope.

It took only a couple of days before I knew it was time. He was getting sicker each day. I knew I couldn't be selfish and keep him to ease my pain. He gave me the best 10 years, and we both knew it was time. The look he gave me at the end was a look of love and understanding, and being sorry he was having to leave me.

There will never be another dog that understands me the way he did. I still miss him so very much. I still cry for the huge void that no other pet could fill, but I'm so thankful for all we meant to each other.

I'm sorry for rambling.

Lots of good responses. My situation is interesting in this regard. I have a balance/mobility service dog. When his harness is on, he's working and we go everywhere together. He's my cane and can help pull me up if I fall. At home, he's our family dog. I am retired and home often and Moshe stays with me lots (plays outside a little as well). We are training as a therapy dog team to work in schools and hospitals (as much as I can do) starting this summer. The responses to him in therapeutic settings is amazing. Moshe is a natural at calming (it seemed selfish for me to not share this talent).