Sometimes when I look into my dog’s dark brown eyes and I see his total adoration and calm sense of serenity gazing back at me, I wonder: Why can’t my mental health be more like a dog’s? Randolph doesn’t have petty interpersonal troubles. He doesn’t sink into maddening, unpredictable depressions, nor does he fly into erratic manic highs. He certainly isn’t losing any sleep over worrying what others might think about him.
Randolph has been a lovely addition to my small family. He has been providing me with the unconditional positive regard I haven’t found anywhere else before. My sweet cat friend loves me as well, but she can act mighty fickle and has been known to scratch, sometimes unprovoked! over our many years together. It’s her nature, nothing personal.
Having another creature to take care of and to be accountable for has been positive for my mental health. Randolph gets me out of bed early in the morning so that I can take him out on his first walk of the day. For me, there is no lingering in bed. The depressed/irritable, unmotivated Snooze Button Era seems to be over. He encourages me to get more exercise and to interact with my neighbors. Until becoming a dog owner, I had no idea that an entire society exists of other people who walk their dogs around the neighborhood and are friends on some gentle level. We sort of all exchange a pleasant dog-people vibe as our beloved pets sniff each other’s butts. My pup has encouraged me to strive for healthier routines.
Randolph, and my cat friend as well, sense when I’m sad. When I’m crying, my cat will come up to me and snuggle. Feel-good chemicals are released in our brains when we stroke our dog’s ears. These creatures are truly little fluff angels on Earth. As a LMHC, I’ve written a lot of letters stating that clients need their pets in their lives (read: in their apartments!) for their emotional well-being. I’m happy to keep doing this for the people I see. I appreciate hearing how their four-legged friends are helping them to recover from behavioral and emotional challenges. If you are reading this, and have a pet, how have they changed your life for the better?
