[ouch]

My p-doc wanted me to take lithium in addition to the anti-depressant and sleeping anti-dep. Too many drugs! So, I decided not to go on lithium and get a dog instead. Doing better! it's nice to have company (I live alone). Would recommend it... enjoying this temporary high.

I have a double dose of those meds. I agree-the best in the world!

[Perna]

Distraction/focus on something else besides my problems never fails to help me. Cats work well too :-)

woof woof

[SecretGarden]

A dog is also good in that you can get out with the dog and take walks and etc..

Bonding with animals is wonderful. I have two cats...(I call them kittens though they are about 6 or so) and I just love that they are here in my life. We all have a mutual admiration society and we all love hugs. (My neighbor is jealous that I have such huggable kitties.) I also think that our kitties have a radar to know when I need extra attention or hugs so ... often they are the pick-me-up I need or they offer solace.

Congrats on your new buddy. :-)

[Wants2Fly]

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SecretGarden said:
A dog is also good in that you can get out with the dog and take walks and etc..

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Going out every day with a dog was a really important of my emotional health for 30 years. One of the things that gave me joy was simply observing my dogs' enthusiasm:

It can be the same walk every single day, but every single walk is just as exciting as the first one.

Every single meal is pretty much the same, but every single meal is a celebration.

They have a great attitude that I learn a lot from.

I get out to the park everyday because of my puppies.
Enjoy your baby, Ouch!!!
((((((((((((((Ouch and Puppy))))))))))))))

[asylumgardens]

Yep, I'm more of a cat person than a dog person, but animals are so great. I know no matter what I do, my kitties will always love me no matter what

[dreamrunner]

Ouch
Love my Basset hound......shes my best friend.She loves me whether Im down,angry,happy or sad.Its a unconditional love.
Enjoy your puppy......

My puppies run away from me when I say the f word. I can't imagine why. But I think somehow they know I only say it when I am or am about to become really angry. So much for unconditional love. Poor puppies.

[ouch]

Still on the high ( : I also have a cat and he's a cutie pie. Had 2 cats, and my sister took 1 so I could get a dog. I love both of them, but with dogs you can take them out, so it doesn't feel as lonely. Plus people stop me to admire the puppy and I get to meet pple at the dog park. I feel like I suddenly have more of a purpose - I know it sounds silly...

[HerOdyssey]

Back in 2000, when I plunged into my darkest period, I had a dog. His name was Ed. I mentioned him somewhere else in this forum.

Ed was my saviour.

If he wasn't there; needing me, I would have had no reason to get out of bed; no reason to walk out of the house, no companionship. He kept me going through this really bleak time; just the act of feeding him, walking him, cuddling him, and knowing that if I were gone, he'd have nowhere to go where he would be as loved... that alone kept me on my feet.

He was kind of a jerk, and anti-social, so I knew nobody would want him. They'd just put him to sleep; so I realized if I did something stupid, I'd be in essence, having my best friend killed.

Ed lived to only 12 years old. He had to be put to sleep for cancer last year. That was one of the hardest moments in my life; watching my old pal go. But as absurd as it sounds, and as hard as it was to make this decision that would take him away from me forever; being there with him, and hearing his great big sign after they gave him the first sedative, and seeing all his pain go away at last, I knew I'd done the right thing.

I wept on the surgical table for half an hour, and am now crying just thinking about it. My old dog. I really miss him; he meant the world to me.

There'll never be another Ed. But he was there with me when it most mattered.

Dogs rule. Treasure every second they're with you; which is never enough time.

[HerOdyssey]

Don't let me be a downer though. We got a new puppy, Simon.

How can something this cute and bratty not cheer anyone up?

((((((((((HerOdyssey))))))))))) That story was so sad. I had to go and hug my puppies after reading it. Just thinking about them "leaving" makes me tear up. I'm sorry you lost Ed and I hope you and Simon have many, many years of happy times together.

[ouch]

Yes, just having to give him food, walk him, water, makes me feel like getting up, just as you said. Hoping it lasts...