‘HAVING A DOG HELPS QUIETEN THE VOICES IN MY HEAD’
“I’ve had my dog Betty since she was four months old – she’s seven years old now. She’s my little rescue and is a Saluki cross lurcher. As soon as she came into my life, we had a special connection. She was an anxious little dog when I first got her but now she’s a source of calm.
I have Bipolar Disorder, which means that there are some days when everything is just too loud. I experience intrusive thoughts which can be deafening and on those days I try to spend more time with
Betty to quieten the voices in my head.
When I have bouts of depression, I find that meditating with Betty really helps. She sits with me and will touch me with her paw as I meditate, so it helps her feel calm too. Not only am I getting those benefits of meditation, but she is too. That helps me so much.
I feel much more settled.
Having Betty also means that I have to go outside and walk her, even on my bad days. On the days when I’m feeling quite depressed or low, the last thing I want to do is venture outside, but I do it because of her. If I go to the dog field and I’m feeling grotty or not feeling up for it, once I’ve spent an hour walking her, my mind feels so much clearer.
I have more clarity. It’s like a fog has been lifted and that really helps.”