Between sobs, I heard him say in a slow, sad voice, the kind that can come only from a father who feels his daughter’s grief, “You know what you need, Les? You need a dog.”
Just 2 weeks shy of Thanksgiving, one of the few that my parents were flying in to share, my boyfriend and I abruptly ended our long relationship. It had died a long, slow death, so though it was a healthy change, you would have never been able to tell by one look at my swollen eyes and ratty sweats. I have always subscribed to the theory that my bipolar magnifies a situational depression 1,000 times.
The K-9 thought registered somewhere in between the aroma of overly cooked turkey and my complete inability to stomach it. Glasses clinking, heart breaking.
That night, as I lay in bed, I pondered – what would it be like to have a puppy snuggled up against me? And then, I wondered how soon I could make it happen. It would surely be as effective if not more, than therapy and tranquilizers – both of which I had plenty of.
My Break-Up-Dog found me just a few short days later.
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines. The comments below begin with the oldest comments first. Click on the last comments page to jump to the most recent comments.
Leslie, this made me cry and this reminds me of when I had my three children.
There is that sense of wonder at a new child and who they would become. People to keep me company in my old age with shared memories and history.
Children and dogs and even husbands are very precious indeed.
Leslie Hull
5:23 am on
March 28th, 2010Sonia, you’re a love! Thank you. I’m working on the kid/husband part and look forward to that new adventure in my life. I only hope the dog approves.
Having a Dog just makes you want to snile when they do cutie things
damon
9:42 am on
March 29th, 2010Great article…Besides my 2 y/o son there is no one more adept at knowing when i am feeling bad than my two adopted dogs. the idea that ”they are just dogs” has never entered into my mind. they are a gift from our creator.
Bette
8:49 am on
March 31st, 2010Your article made tears come to my eyes. At 61 years old after one divorce, numerous relationships, two grown kids and one grandkid on the way, the love of my life right now is my first dog, big boy Lennie. He keeps me walking an hour a day, laughing at weird times by his craziness with my other love my cat, and is just an absolute joy. Animals are the best, sometimes moreso than people!!! They’re the best way to keep a smile on your face.
Nancy
11:09 am on
April 1st, 2010I have suffered from severe clinical depression for 5-1/2 years now as a result of a TBI. I grew up with dogs,never without one, until the TBI. The same year, our loving Shepard mix, Millicent, died at age 15. I have been so lonely…This past Jan, I finally talked my husband into another dog (putting Millicent down was heartbreaking for him). I answered an ad in the newpaper from a woman who had an 8wk old, black, miniature Shnauzer, had a change of job and couldn’t keep her. We picked her up the next day—instant LOVE! Liesl is now 5 months old and is such a joy in my life. No matter how the day is going, she is always here with me—my ray of sunshine! Totally therapeutic in her unconditional love. Thank God for dogs!
Before posting, please read our blog moderation guidelines.
Post a Comment:
Copyright © 1992-2012 Psych Central. All rights reserved.
Site last updated: 24 May 2012
|
