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The value of an animal
I’ve had dogs most of my life, except in college. I’ve always enjoyed them as pets, and my wife has usually had a cat.
My life went upside down in 2005. I was falling into a really deep depression and made multiple suicide attempts. I kept thinking I’d hit bottom, but then I’d go down deeper and darker. I admitted myself to a small facility for survivors of suicide attempts, and stayed for 6 weeks, until I felt like I’d be safe again. I wasn’t really, but life went on. I retired and began therapy, and after a couple of years I talked with my therapist about training my dog to be a service dog. I had an Aussie/Border Collie mix, who was a wonderful dog, and after working with him for over a year, he became my service animal.
Barnabas went everywhere with me, and was of great service to me with depression, PTSD and suicidal thoughts. Everybody loved him. But last year at Valentine’s, he had a stroke or some other brain event, a week after a checkup at the vet’s, where I was told he had years left in him (he was only 9). That was really hard, especially since I didn’t have a therapist right then, and couldn’t get one until a year later. That was an 18 month stretch without a therapist, and the last six were pretty dark. I was fortunate to find my next dog at our local humane shelter, a few weeks after Barnabas died. Sadie had just been brought in that day because the people had too many dogs, and decided to return her to the shelter. She was fearful and skittish, but I felt an immediate bond with her. We left her alone for a couple of days, so she could become comfortable in our home, with us, and with my wife’s little dog, Pete. After a year, she’s joined to me at the hip. If I go outside, she follows, and comes in when I do. We have ten acres, so she has lots of room to run, rodents to catch, cows and horses to herd – they either ignore her or run her off – but she always comes back to me and sits down near me and watches me work in the yard. If I’m kneeling, she sits right in front of me for some petting. She’s very attentive, obedient and therapeutic for me. When I’m extra depressed or feeling the anxiety level rising, she lies in my lap and the pressure of the weight of her body provides calming therapy on my torso, for as long as I need her.
One challenge of having a service dog is public ignorance. Everytime we go out, someone asks if they can pet her (No), or just pets her without asking. If they don’t pet her, they talk to her, which is pretty much the same as petting because they’re drawing her attention away from me. Cesar teaches don’t touch, don’t talk, don’t make eye contact.
An issue I’ve been dealing with is lack of understanding of the difference between service and therapy dogs. A service dog serves only its handler. A therapy dog is trained to serve others, such as in hospitals, to provide calming therapy for people. I was asked to have Sadie certified as a therapy dog, but I couldn’t agree to it because of the differing purposes of the service and therapy animals. For 5 years, I was a Hospice volunteer, visiting patients for an hour a week, in their homes, in the hospital, in care homes – wherever they were. A few had house pets, so I left my dog in the car during the visit (always in safe, shaded places, with water). Every other patient loved having my dog come with me to visit them. I made an exception to the no pet rule with hospice patients because it meant so much to them. I had to resign a few months ago because they wrote a set of guidelines that specifies only certified therapy dogs could go with volunteers. I hated to give up that volunteer job. I think it helped me get out and interact with others, and it gave me a chance to give out to those who have a real need.
How has a pet or animal helped you? Share your story with us.
Of course, Sadie’s more than a pet, though she is that, too, but she provides the companionship of a pet, the devotion and unconditional love. I'll try to share pictures of Barnabas (brown and white) and Sadie (black and white). (Sorry I couldn't change the orientation of the picture of Sadie.)
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Hi Jim....oh my goodness, dogs are LIFE SAVERS!! I am so very thankful that you are doing better....but many things 'stay' with us....it's like we are 'up & down'. I also have PTSD and depression (plus anxiety)....it's kind of 'freeing' to admit this here....no one else knows this....not even my grown sons. I was given a medical cannabis medical card (before the law made it legal)....gave up on that. My system HATES THC and makes me feel worse. Maybe a good CBD product would help? Tried a few, not much help. BUT, I did buy a Pet CBD product....my little Cocker Spaniel, Daisy, has 'doggie dementia' and this helps her rest better and not pace so much at night...'sun-downer's'. She is the light of my life....have had her since she was 6 wks. old, and she is now 17. I'm scared....she also has a serious heart ailment and is IMHA....so she can have no vaccinations or surgery....if she was young and healthy, I would have had the heart surgery she needed yrs. ago....but it would kill her. I took her to an IL University vet almost 10 yrs. ago, thought they would know more about IMHA....the woman knew nothing & told me to put her down, that it was 'less expensive than caring for an IMHA dog'. Bull...I told her I'd put her down first, carried Daisy out, came home, lived on the Internet to learn all that I could....and yaaaa, she ended up thriving!! I filled the freezer with home-made meals...fed her by spoon (she still loves that!!), and she became stronger and healthier. The vet I found here just told me to 'keep doing what you're doing'. I love her so much...she is also deaf now, but she knows me and is such a comfort. I want her around as long as possible. I lost my other at 18. It was a grief like no other. I love animals so much.....heaven, to me, would be owning several acres and having a huge animal shelter....but knowing me, I'd want a few horses, sheep, goats, lol....along with all the dogs and cats. Too many dumped animals out there...and they all deserve care and love. Oh Lord....sorry for the yacking....it's 1:15 a.m. and time for a bath. I wish everything wonderful for you and your wife....take care of each other and be as happy as possible....nighty night!! 🙂 P.S. My pic. of Daisy the day I brought her home from the University Vet...even tho I was told to put her down (and didn't!!), I had every other test done on her , to rule everything else out. She was SO tired!! She slept for 10 hrs. on my bed....and ended up doing so well.
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10 ReactionsMy dog, Mitig is the reason I’m still alive. She’s a service dog for my PTSD. Can’t think of a person who is more loyal and cares about me more than she!
Plus having to take her for walks prevents me from being a couch potato that so easily happens when you are a senior.
I so relate with people interfering with her in public. Even with her service vest on, they think it’s fine to talk to and pet her. Being a super friendly dog, it confuses her greatly.
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12 ReactionsThank you so much for your post about your dogs. I am actually right now, looking at a puppy that I really would love to own. It’s funny that I stumbled upon your post, because I’m so conflicted about it right now. I have applied for the puppy. But I’m scared, because with my depression I’m just worried honestly about taking the puppy out for walks and stuff. Making sure that the puppy gets all of the outdoor time that it needs. Because I can get very depressed to the point where I don’t move for a long time. But, on the other hand, I’m very isolated and thought that this little puppy might just be my salvation and my new little best friend. I’m just so confused on what I should do…anyone have any ideas? Lol
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3 ReactionsI have many health issues and I have found over the last several years there is no better benefit better than loving and caring for a dog! Or cat probably. The joy they bring into your life is amazing and worth every moment! They also take the focus of yourself and your health and while they might not take your health problems away, they are amazing to brighten your life and heart and take your thoughts off of yourself. They so brighten every day! So sorry for my poorly written response. But my Dog gives me so much joy every day.
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5 ReactionsAfter we retired, we decided we'd like to foster dogs. Our first fosters were two rambunctious six-month old puppies who had lived in the streets. That was too much for us to take on at once, so we were happy to return them to their no-kill shelter temporary home when our fostering time was up. On the day we returned them, the shelter asked if we would take home an elderly chihuahua who had to be isolated so that other dogs would not catch her cold (kennel cough). By the time she was healthy again, there was no way I was going to part with that little bundle of love. Thanks to her, we met neighbors we'd had for years whom we had never met (in part, of course, because we were at work all day). She had been leash trained by a previous owner, and it was a joy to walk her in the neighborhood. While she was already trained to use pee-pads, she forced us to be up and out and about--a good thing. We were heartbroken when she passed, but quickly found another older dog in need of a home (sadly, they are in abundance). This dog is as crazy about us as we are about him. He is entertaining and keeps us physically active and social. We cannot imagine being without him.
For anyone who is hesitant about taking on a dog, I urge you to look into a fostering program. That will give you real life day-to-day experience so that you will know if you are up for it--and generally at no expense to you, as the shelter will provide for the dog's physical needs while you enjoy and care for it. Having a pet as a companion is known to have a positive impact for both people and pets.
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4 ReactionsPets are great. They help you in various ways. We have a Golden Retriever now. He helps me stay active by walking and taking him for rides and to parks. However, a puppy requires a lot of work. Potty training, behavior training, eating habits, exercise routines, and any healthcare. You might be better off getting a more mature dog that has most if not all training completed and listens well. Ask your doctor or helthcare institution about support animals/pets. They may be able to show you what is needed here.
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7 ReactionsI am 76, widowed 13 years, live alone, not comfortable socializing. I know that having a good circle of friends, etc., would help but I am not unhappy I do feel some of the joy in my life has vanished in the past several years and all I can do for enjoyment is care for my feral mom cat and her son & daughter. I feel bad I am physically unable to play with them as much as I would like. I feel at times that I shouldn’t have them. However, the feeding, making sure they always have water and clean litter boxes. Sometimes I am exhausted also. They are real good cats, about 2 years old now. However, I don’t feel like I could handle all that goes with a dog. For the same reasons as you. I have always had cats. I like dogs but my life has not been very stable and I can provide a litter box for a cat but not for a dog.
If you want a dog and have days you aren’t up to walking it, etc., perhaps you could line up a dog walker, and maybe that person could help you with your baby those times you just can’t do it.
I totally understand. I didn’t expect to have 3 little cats after all the others had passed away but, somehow, the word must be on the streets that I am a softie, lol! I hope this helps a little. An animal helps A WHOLE LOT MORE.
love,
Sharon
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2 ReactionsI have always had dogs and cannot imagine living without them. We had a Golden Retriever and a Corgi and then my beloved Golden, Hubble, died suddenly right before my eyes, at the age of 8. I was devastated. My husband had said these two would be our last dogs (we are in our 70s), but I wouldn’t accept that. So we found a Golden Retriever puppy and he has become a joy in our lives. I can’t imagine life now without him. We both love our little Graham. He brings joy and love into our lives every day. He is a puppy, three months old, and needs a lot of care, but we share in the caregiving and it is working out fine.
My advice: Get a pet. It really helps.
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1 ReactionI can certainly understand your hesitation. I get the same deep depression where I don’t want to leave the house, plus I’m a loner by nature. Actually a long walk usually helps my mood. And I’ve made some casual friends at my local dog park.
I even go as far to beat myself up over the fact that I’m being unfair to my dog by being depressed. She’s really sensitive, and picks up on my mood.
Have you considered a cat? They aren’t as demanding. A dog is more like having a toddler!
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1 ReactionFor one, animals open up our vista of life -- especially with modern life that so often revolves around people, and non-life things such as machines, foods furniture and devices. My cat of 15 years is still a sight of beauty as it sits with its expectant pose for food with front paws more elegantly together than a super model, it's often a crushingly beautiful spectacle.
And then of course its special growl a call that invites me to play with him -- vigorously enough so it gets a good upper body work out and head massage. It's a quick dose of knowing that life offers its 'handouts' of pleasure freely.
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