Comments on: Dogs Don’t Cure Depression

By: Catching Happiness

Catching Happiness — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 13:01:57 +0000

[…] Above all, someone in the throes of a serious depression might find the responsibility of caring for a dog to be burdensome. Another blogger friend, Pamela, wrote very movingly about that on Something Wagging This Way Comes: Dogs Don’t Cure Depression. […]

By: Patricia

Patricia — Sun, 24 Aug 2014 23:49:06 +0000

Hi Pam, I thank you for all the honest words about depression and suicide thoughts. It must have been very difficult for you to hit publish. The way you wrote the piece really helped me understand the thought pattern of someone who is depressed.
When I was thirty eight my father in law committed suicide. My husband had a hard time processing how his father could kill himself. A year later my husband went to visit his fathers grave. With his service revolver. He had just turned forty. He left behind his teenage love and a wonderful supportive family. To this day (eighteen years ago) I still have not fully comprehended how he could kill himself.
Have I ever been depressed? Yes. Thought about suicide? Yes. Suffered from clinical depression? I honestly do not know. My thoughts about committing suicide were that I would botch it up. Live to age ninety hooked up to machines with full mental capacity. That really scared me. Besides who would take care of the dogs? I knew the kids would be ok but no one would want my weird, unadoptable mutts. Think Agatha and Christie.
So how do I survive? Instead of loosing my faith in God and all of humanity I embrace it. I did not become a church nut. I just try to be hopeful and keep myself sane with quite time and private daily prayers. Chocolate helps too.
Take care of Yourself,Mike, and Honey. They love you very much.

By: Groovy Goldendoodles

Groovy Goldendoodles — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 21:24:06 +0000

After reading your post, and after reading all the comments, the only thing I can think to say that would be somewhat original, comes from my heart and that is: “I am so proud of you” for still being here, for writing, for sharing. So very proud of you…

By: Linda - Alfie's Blog

Linda - Alfie's Blog — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 19:52:17 +0000

Thank you for being so brave and sharing this with us all. I have no first hand experience of depression, but reading your post made me feel as though I can better understand what it must feel like. I am so glad and grateful that you are still here to share your stories on the blog, putting smiles on peoples faces all over the world. Sending a big hug your way!

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:36:27 +0000

It took me a few days away from this post and several hours but I’ve individually replied to each person’s comment.

I want to thank everyone who read this post for sharing a pretty yucky journey. I hope you don’t understand what I wrote about first hand. But if you do, know you aren’t alone. And take encouragement from the positive experience I had sharing something really scary with my online friends. Please reach out to someone you trust to help you when you need it.

Feel free to email me too and I’ll do my best just to be a sympathetic friend.

And for those of you who are fortunate not to know what it feels like to be mentally ill, thanks for your compassion and understanding. I hope you continue to share it with others who need it.

Finally, thank you to everyone who formed a supportive circle here and did not leave an opening for trolls who seek out sorrow and try to make it worse. I’m thankful for each of you.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:31:14 +0000

In reply to Peggy Frezon.

Thanks, Peggy. Sometimes it’s a good thing to remind ourselves that everyone has their issues. And that we’re all doing the best we can. Even when it doesn’t look like it.

I’m very thankful for your kind heart and encouragement.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:29:30 +0000

In reply to petyoulike.com. Actually, some of us think we know far too much about depression. ;0

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:28:47 +0000

In reply to Jessica. Thank you, Jessica. I'm very thankful for your kindness and support.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:28:05 +0000

In reply to Ariella.

Thanks, Ariella, for encouraging me to be honest.

I can’t say I really know for sure what caused the intense desire to tell this story. Or what made me push through this time.

But I do want to be the same person on the inside as I am on the outside. And you can’t do that when you’re living a lie.

You’re a very smart woman to figure out some coping tools. To know that you can’t trust your brain. And for continuing to work through.

Thank you for sharing your story and for encouraging me.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 18 Aug 2014 19:17:48 +0000

In reply to melF.

Allie Brosh was so articulate with her short words and colorful pictures, wasn’t she?

I’m sorry that you have that knowledge of depression. But as horrible as it was to go through, it’s part of what makes you the compassionate, thoughtful, and kind person you are.

A friend recently told me about an elderly man who decided to commit suicide after his wife died. He paid for and arranged his funeral. He shot himself outside in a place that would be easy to clean up. He called the police and told them what to expect so no one in his family would discover the body.

He did everything he could to make things easy on his family. Except staying alive.

And yet I entirely understand what he was thinking. I’m just sorry his family will never understand how his brain was telling him he was doing the right thing.

Thanks for your support and friendship. I can only think the trolls didn’t happen by because I was circled by S’Waggers dancing in unicorn dust. 🙂