Re: Pain, Depression and recent Pet Loss

May 21, 2006

wrote:

>> I've been under treatment for depression for sometime, however between

the pain (which seems to be getting worse) and

> the loss of my dog, the depression is getting difficult to deal with. I

> know each one aggravates the other, but would welcome any suggestions. <<

,

I am so sorry about the loss of your pup and of course about your

pain.

I hope you don't think I'm heartless or anything, but have you considered

adopting another puppy, or possibly rescuing an older dog that needs a

good home?

I'm a big dog fancier and when our Tazzie died a couple of years ago,

having our other dog helped my husband & I tremendously.

Ben is over 10 now and he is getting old. We are getting another puppy in

summer mostly because I want another one to help me when the time comes

for Ben.

Selfish? Maybe, but it does help. Plus, I have big plans for this puppy as

far as training and having FUN goes...:-)

Marita

Superior, MT

May 21, 2006

wrote:

>> I've been under treatment for depression for sometime, however between

the pain (which seems to be getting worse) and

> the loss of my dog, the depression is getting difficult to deal with. I

> know each one aggravates the other, but would welcome any suggestions. <<

,

I am so sorry about the loss of your pup and of course about your

pain.

I hope you don't think I'm heartless or anything, but have you considered

adopting another puppy, or possibly rescuing an older dog that needs a

good home?

I'm a big dog fancier and when our Tazzie died a couple of years ago,

having our other dog helped my husband & I tremendously.

Ben is over 10 now and he is getting old. We are getting another puppy in

summer mostly because I want another one to help me when the time comes

for Ben.

Selfish? Maybe, but it does help. Plus, I have big plans for this puppy as

far as training and having FUN goes...:-)

Marita

Superior, MT

May 21, 2006

wrote:

>> I've been under treatment for depression for sometime, however between

the pain (which seems to be getting worse) and

> the loss of my dog, the depression is getting difficult to deal with. I

> know each one aggravates the other, but would welcome any suggestions. <<

,

I am so sorry about the loss of your pup and of course about your

pain.

I hope you don't think I'm heartless or anything, but have you considered

adopting another puppy, or possibly rescuing an older dog that needs a

good home?

I'm a big dog fancier and when our Tazzie died a couple of years ago,

having our other dog helped my husband & I tremendously.

Ben is over 10 now and he is getting old. We are getting another puppy in

summer mostly because I want another one to help me when the time comes

for Ben.

Selfish? Maybe, but it does help. Plus, I have big plans for this puppy as

far as training and having FUN goes...:-)

Marita

Superior, MT

May 21, 2006

If you are looking for medication relief, have you tried Cymbalta? It helped me

when I first started taking it as it works on physical and emotional pains...

Can have some odd side effects though... made me sweat more than usual!!!

Amy

wrote:

About 6 weeks ago, I had to put down my beloved dog of 12 years. The

grief is overwhelming. I've been under treatment for depression for

sometime, however between the pain (which seems to be getting worse) and the

loss of my dog, the depression is getting difficult to deal with.

May 21, 2006

If you are looking for medication relief, have you tried Cymbalta? It helped me

when I first started taking it as it works on physical and emotional pains...

Can have some odd side effects though... made me sweat more than usual!!!

Amy

wrote:

About 6 weeks ago, I had to put down my beloved dog of 12 years. The

grief is overwhelming. I've been under treatment for depression for

sometime, however between the pain (which seems to be getting worse) and the

loss of my dog, the depression is getting difficult to deal with.

May 21, 2006

I had to put one to sleep several years ago and then right after Christmas the

dog we have had for 12 years died in our living room. They are so much a part

of the family that it is extremely hard to lose them. The pain does get better

but often I still start to call the dogs name or I really miss her alot. She

would get up with me at night and that is the time I feel so alone. I do

understand how you feel.

We have decided not to get another dog because we are both in our 50's and

feel the dog would probably out live us (especially me!) and we do not want our

kids to have to deal with all of that once we are gone. There are times though

I wish we would get one.

There are some people on depression medicine that must change what they are

taking as their body gets used to it. You might want to talk to the doctor and

see if he will change what you take. Just a suggestion. Gwen

Carnemolla wrote:

About 6 weeks ago, I had to put down my beloved dog of 12 years. The

grief is overwhelming. I've been under treatment for depression for

May 21, 2006

I had to put one to sleep several years ago and then right after Christmas the

dog we have had for 12 years died in our living room. They are so much a part

of the family that it is extremely hard to lose them. The pain does get better

but often I still start to call the dogs name or I really miss her alot. She

would get up with me at night and that is the time I feel so alone. I do

understand how you feel.

We have decided not to get another dog because we are both in our 50's and

feel the dog would probably out live us (especially me!) and we do not want our

kids to have to deal with all of that once we are gone. There are times though

I wish we would get one.

There are some people on depression medicine that must change what they are

taking as their body gets used to it. You might want to talk to the doctor and

see if he will change what you take. Just a suggestion. Gwen

Carnemolla wrote:

About 6 weeks ago, I had to put down my beloved dog of 12 years. The

grief is overwhelming. I've been under treatment for depression for

May 21, 2006

Good idea! I had not thought of that! Gwen

Lyndi wrote: Hi Gwen

Why not adopt an older dog?

May 21, 2006

Gwen wrote:

> We have decided not to get another dog because we are both in our 50's and

feel the dog would probably out live us (especially me!) and we do not want our

kids to have to deal with all of that once we are gone. There are times though

I wish we would get one.

Hi Gwen

Why not adopt an older dog? There are lots of them in the shelters. Most

people want a puppy, so the older dogs just pine away and eventually are killed

to make room for more dogs being brought in.

You and your husband could have a new best friend for a few years. It would be

a win win situation.

--

Lyndi

May 21, 2006

Gwen wrote:

> We have decided not to get another dog because we are both in our 50's and

feel the dog would probably out live us (especially me!) and we do not want our

kids to have to deal with all of that once we are gone. There are times though

I wish we would get one.

Hi Gwen

Why not adopt an older dog? There are lots of them in the shelters. Most

people want a puppy, so the older dogs just pine away and eventually are killed

to make room for more dogs being brought in.

You and your husband could have a new best friend for a few years. It would be

a win win situation.

--

Lyndi

May 21, 2006

Dear -

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your beloved dog. I too am a dog

person (and a cat person and a bird person!) and they bring such joy

to our lives. I can completely understand your pain and grief -

anyone who has lost a beloved furry family member can, I think.

You say that you are " under treatment " for depression - does that also

include therapy? If not, please consider getting some counseling -

even if it is just some temporary grief counseling to help you through

this rough time.

And if you can find a good psychologist who specializes in chronic

pain management for longer-term treatment, they can do you a world of

good in helping you deal with your physical (as well as emotional)

pain more effectively on a day-to-day basis. Don't settle for any

therapist - especially those who tend to look into our childhoods for

the source of all our emotional and physical pain. That isn't

productive for chronic pain patients, in my humble opinion. Those who

specialize in pain management understand that our pain is actually

physical, not a manifestation of some childhood trauma or failure in

our psyche, and therefore they work on the here-and-now, helping us

develop productive coping strategies to help us actually better

control our pain.

You may already have this sort of support - if so, please take

advantage of it and talk to your therapist about your dog! You need

help in dealing with the grief, so that you can better manage both

your depression and your pain. If you don't have that kind of support

person on your care team, make the effort and find one! It can make a

world of difference....

Meanwhile, my thoughts are with you. Take care and keep writing to

the list if it helps!

Cheryl in AZ

May 22, 2006

> Why not adopt an older dog?

Fantastic idea, check out this site

http://www.srdogs.com/

I love Huskies, own three, but with my phsyscial problems will not be

able to adopt another young one or puppy because I'm too old and not

enough strength. So I decided when my senior girl finally goes (Keta

is 14) I'll adopt senior Huskies... they're mellow and loving and

loyal. More Huskies wind up in shelters than other breeds; they're

beautiful; but the youngsters are SUCH a handful... so my solution is

to look for a senior girl... one that needs the love and a good home,

and you'll be paid back ten-fold by loving a senior dog. Yes you'll

have to suffer the loss after just a few years, but to me it will be

worth it.

quote of the day, week, month, year is: " Blessed is the person who has

earned the love of an old dog. "

May 22, 2006