Let sleeping dogs lie….
We’ve all heard the phrase said over and over. It means to leave something the way it is because disturbing it would cause more trouble or additional complications. Fine, fine, fine. Maybe for today, I’ll not address the troublemakers in life. Heaven knows, I’ve run into more than enough of my fair share of dogs that lie…. But ok, I’ll respect the wisdom of the phrase and for now, I will save those spicy little topics for another day.
But there are other sleeping dogs that I am going to mess with right now.
Have a look at these little beauties!
Aren’t these just the cutest pile of puppies?!!!!
There are seven little ones here, all piled up together. It’s funny to see how they sleep all stacked on each other. It seems they would be a little uncomfortable getting squished like that (would you like to have someone sleeping on your head??!!), but apparently, these little sweeties like the warmth and closeness they feel when being snuggled close to each other.
In these pictures, they are just five days old. Their eyes or ears are not yet opened, and they can’t walk or bark.
I’m trying to just let them sleep peacefully… but you know… it’s just absolutely impossible to not pick up these little sweethearts and to enjoy their little super soft squirmy selves for awhile! Besides, the phrase is not “let sleeping puppies lie”!!
There is something about baby puppies, or baby kittens, or baby horses that just makes the heart melt. They just make you feel good! They bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart. Spending time with little baby critters is just the most wonderful experience.
Are you feeling depressed?
Spending time with a puppy close by your side really can help your depression. The very presence of that tiny little being can lift your spirits.
Are you feeling isolated and alone?
A puppy as a companion can become your very best friend. Dogs can get as deeply attached to you as you do to them, and they will show you, repeatedly, how important you are to them and how valuable you are.
Is your heart hurting?
A puppy can provide some of the best comfort you’ll ever find. Dogs will snuggle up beside you, they will look deep into your eyes, and their hearts can feel your pain. They will sit with you, and stay beside you, and their warm gentle presence will create a very healing experience.
Have you been betrayed and abused by people?
A puppy will grow up to be your most loyal confidant. They truly do live up to the reputation that they are “man’s best friend”. A puppy won’t turn on you or hurt you like people do.
Are you feeling anxious or stressed and do you have high blood pressure?
Spending time with a puppy will help you to feel calmer and give you ways to relax, to breathe, and to not feel as intense or upset.
Do you have suicidal tendencies or suicidal ideation?
A puppy will give you more reason to live, and more reason to get through those dark moments of time. Your love, care, and concern for your puppy can be strong enough to keep you from killing yourself. Your puppy can help to save your life.
Do you have social anxiety or a fear of people?
A puppy will provide a safety barrier for you in public. Dogs will give you an added sense of safety and protection when you are outdoors, and they can become the focus of brief social conversations, giving you something to speak about. Dogs can also become an easy “reason to excuse yourself” if you need to find a way to politely exit a people-scene.
Do you have dissociative identity disorder?
A puppy will develop a relationship with each of the people in your system, and your puppy will know and recognize the difference between your different selves. Child parts often hold dear to their pets and puppies, and they are certainly a positive addition to any dissociative trauma survivor’s treatment team.
Have you grown up as a neglected child and do you have trouble taking care of yourself?
A puppy does not like to be neglected and has to be tended every day. Learning to take care of the needs of a pet can be very helpful in terms of teaching basic life skills such as remembering to eat, learning to meet regular self-care needs, etc.
Do you have trouble staying grounded or do you have issues with time distortion?
A puppy can help you to see and remember that you are in the current day, place, and time.
Do you have difficulties getting enough exercise?
A puppy can encourage and promote more exercise. Puppies love to play and like to go on walks. Having fun with your puppy will typically require some exercise on your part. What a fun way to exercise!
There are bunches of benefits to having a puppy!
As you can see, absolutely, and without a doubt, therapeutic service dogs and companion animals can make a significant difference in your life.
If you don’t yet have one of your own, have another quick look at these little cuties, and think about the ways that a puppy could improve your quality of life.
I hope you enjoy your puppy too!
Warmly,
Kathy
Copyright © 2008-2017 Kathy Broady MSW and Discussing Dissociation
Hi Kathy! This is a wonderful post. I love my animals, cat, Chuck and dog Scooter. We also do foster dogging for a group from Petfinder. We foster and love the dog til it gets adopted. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I take in these homeless and neglected dogs and love them to pieces. I know the lost and scared look in their eyes all too well. We get them on their feet and feeling good again tho and doing this helps me heal to. The adoptive homes are screened carefully and when the dogs go I know they are getting their little piece of heaven on this earth.
I don’t know where I would have been as a child if I had not had my cats. I connected with them and I know they felt my pain too. I also know when I cried they cried too…it’s still that way today with Scooter and Chuck. When I am upset they are all over me. When I was too hurt in this world to trust people or talk to anyone…my animals were there and kept me linked to life. They are great therapy and there are even ranches that do this kind of work with disabled folks. I would love to see ranches specializing in helping people with emotional problems while working with animals. I think something huge could be developed in this area.
I love this post….thanks.
Nansie
Heather…thanks so much for all the info. I will look into that websight.
Love these pictures. Our dog died a month ago. He used to keep us grounded. just feeling his fur was enough to bring us back to the present and he made us feel brave when we went out. We miss him so much but we are going to a rescue centre today to look for a new dog. Without a dog me and my guys just don’t feel whole.
lol… yay! I’m glad y’all like these pictures. 🙂
I may just have to post a few more “growing up” pictures as they happen.
muffledones…. fish have personalities too? Yes, yes, I hadn’t thought of that, but I guess that is true. How amazing is that, lol.
maddie – I am really glad to hear that you are starting to look around for a new dog – that is just the best news. Take your time and pick out just the right one. I am sure there are lots to choose from, so look lots till you find just the right someone for you. 🙂
claire – I am glad you have a puppy-best friend that goes everywhere with you. It sounds like your dog is very very loyal and dedicated to you. That is a good thing. 🙂
nansie – wow – I’m so glad to hear that you are doing foster dogging! Keep up the good work, because those kinds of things are just really important. Good for you, and good for those homeless puppies! Thanks for your kind comments – much appreciated.
heather – thank you for your comments, and thank you for sharing so openly about how animals have been so important in your healing… and for the greyhounds… you are important for them too! Your input is highly appreciated, and I can’t agree with you more!
there just the swetist littol things i just love them puppys.
i wish i culd hold them all!
they are so beutiful.
are dogs make me so happy speshally are lab doggy he is my best freind he stays by me all the time and goes to bed with me and always he stays next to me all day long and sits by me. he is my best friend.
he is brown like your doggys.
them puppys be so cute kathey. and they got there littol baby blanket to keep warm.
and i love baby kittys and horsis to.
from claire
SWEET! 🙂
All pets are good.
I love budgies and dogs.
All animals are cool.
Even fish. I used to love my fishtank, cuz fish have personalities too!!
🙂
I have two greyhounds (retired rescue greyhounds from the tracks). I can’t tell you how awesome this situation is. I had the opportunity to rescue an animal that has been through quite a bit. Many tracks are handled well and there are many that are not. Either way, they have been running after a object their whole lives and never had the chance to catch it. Even in the best case how stinky can that be. I learned about them and I had been looking into doing therapy dog training and had looked into actually the psychiatric service dog stuff, but for me, it was too complicated for me to deal with. But, I thought I would give a greyhound a try and maybe attempt the therapy dog process. I got an amazing dog. It took a while for him and for me and my husband to get adjusted. Especially him because all his life he was on such a specific very detailed schedule and had no clue what a house or windows or anything were. Lots of learning curves. It’s been 2 going on 3 years now. This dog is amazing. He’s 5 and will be 6 in the spring. He picks up on certain things and he adjusts based on that. He connects to certain individuals and while sometimes he might just stay to himself, but very clearly will curl up to you if something is going on. He really connects with people. Even more so with kids. I know some dogs are just really good with kids. Cody has been surrounded by like 5 two year olds huddled around him pulling his ears and beating on him and messing with his paws and his lips and you name it. Not only does he just tolerate it, but he is absolutely in his element. Last year my husband’s grandmother had some health problems and wasn’t doing very good and out of the blue he jumped up on the couch and he got as close as he could to her without actually getting in her lap (85 pound bony butt greyhound in your lap just does not work lol) and put his head in her lap and went right to sleep. It was awesome. He also connects with me and when things change with me and makes adjustments. On top of doing all the things you mentioned in your post. It’s been an awesome experience. Just this year we did get a second greyhound and her name is Jo and she has had a bit of a harder time transitioning, but no doubt she brings her personality into the mix. She is older than Cody, but she has the energy. We got her because we felt Cody needed an actual dog companion as well. He was a good dog and it was good that he relied on me but it has been better with him having another dog just like him around to have playtime and things like that with. And greyhounds are 40 mph couch potatoes. They can run 40 mph, but probably 20+ hours a day really actually involves them sleeping preferably on the couch or in a bed upside down with feet in the air and tongue hanging out. lol.
I have also experienced a deep connection with a horse in the past. Nothing in the world could ever take away the power of what that horse gave me just in who she was and how she interacted with me. She was amazing. It’s been years and she has probably passed on by now, but more recently she has been at the forefront of my mind since the movie Secretariat came out. I was an avid horseback rider as a child/teenager and I will be honest in that I am not a big fan of the racing industry either with horses or with dogs. I’ve seen some of the physical and emotional side effects of what has been done. That’s not to say that they are all like that because it is not all one way or the other and where there is good there is bad and where there is bad there is good. I saw Secretariat and at first was a little worried about how that was all going to come into play, but that movie was amazing and I connected because of my connection with the horse in my past – and that the younger ones in my system connected to in the past and while it’s difficult to sit with knowing that she is no longer around and she never will be, she will always be in my heart and it’s a blessing and says alot when I can got to a movie like this and just have it hit home so much. I can’t wait for it to come out on DVD. I’ve already seen it in the theaters twice and would even go again.
Dogs and horses especially, but certainly many animals on many different levels have a healing element in them and through caring for them and the sharing of love between the individual and animal can be a healing experience for many. Thank you for the post. The puppies are adorable and I hope you have a great time with them.
Heather
Nansie,
I don’t know about dogs, but there is therapuetic horse therapy out there. I went to a place a couple years ago that actually did this and specifically they used what is known as the Eagala method. You don’t need any riding experience and you don’t even get on the horse. It’s all based on exercises and interaction with the horse. How you interact with them and how they interact with you and how they will display much of what may be quite internalized for you. Sometimes it’s about just trying to get the horse to do certain tasks which can help in team building but also sometimes simply grooming/brushing a horse can bring emotion or show fear or lack of trust or many other things that aren’t always directly shown in a traditional therapist’s office. Add to that, horses, dogs, and other animals sense fear and emotion and react to that. It can be a pretty impressive situation. I have heard stories of some amazing things coming out and healing through this, but I also had the chance to sort of experience that myself. While I was at this place and because of my background with horses I would participate in this and one day I went to it and about 5-10 minutes into it – I totally lost it and broke down and balled my eyes out uncontrollably and I don’t cry EVER. I had to get somebody to take me out of the class and it took 45 minutes to get me back under control. Now that may seem overwhelming, but it was a HUGE thing for me. When this happened the horse stood absolutely still and did nothing and would not move until I left the ring. When I left I heard that the horse just totally let loose and was galloping around the ring – Not in a dangerous way, but they said it was clear that the horse was reacting to what had gone on and eventually settled down.
I’ve heard of other stories much bigger than that, but that was my own personal experience. This website may direct you to some options in your area if there are any and you may actually be able to google and find something also, but it is definitely out there.
http://eagala.org/
At the top there is a link to Find a Program.
Hope that helps.
Heather
Oh Kathy, I do like those puppies. They are soooo cute!! The one little girl has a white face and a white neck too right? That is cute. I wish I could hold them and snuggle them. But I have my beagle cuddled up next to me right now keeping me warm. Puppies are great!!
Annie
o so cute and peaceful… I definitely would have a hard time letting them lie….. they are beautiful Kathy.
IP
Ms. Kathy,
we’ve been begging Momma to let us get a puppy. she says it’s not right to get one since we live in a very small apartment and their isn’t enough room for a dog to run around and be free. Plus she doesn’t think i would take very much care of one, i wouldn’t want to walk it or pick up it’s poop. but i would. i love dogs and i want one so badly. you puppies are so adorable.
Krissy
Ms. Kathy,
I also want a puppy..
and wow.. it is snowing on your blog. So cool! 🙂
I love the snow!!! It never snows here where I live. I’ve only seen snow twice in my life… I wish it would snow a little bit. It is cold here now though…
Ip
i just found out that there is such thing as psychiatric service dogs and they can help people with ptsd and depression and anxiety and can legally go with you anyplace you go! http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_index.php?idx=119&d=1&w=5&e=14844
We had a snow storm today. I will tell mother nature to send some to you guys!!
Annie
We have a little mini Dachshund named Lily Bug. We’ve had her since she was born cause we had her mom and dad.
Her dad, Maxx, was a support dog for us and often went to therapy and doctor appointments with us. Sadly, he died from a tragic accident that almost ripped my heart out. If it hadn’t been for Lily Bug, we might not have gotten through it. Even so, Maxx’s death began the worst 6 months of loss and devastation of our adult life. During that time we had to evacuate our home due to a massive wildfire, we lost one of our cats that we’ve never seen again, we lost a friend and peer from suicide, our son had to get mental health treatment at a facility 3 hours away, then he came home. Then we lost our own home to an electrical fire and my son got in trouble at school a week later.
The dogs and my children kept us going. We did try to leave though, life was way bad at the time. Things have been better since then.
Lily Bug is now, not just a ptsd service dog, but also a diabetic alert dog. She lets me know when my sugar bottoms out.
Her litter was the same size as the one in the picture and those puppies just lit up our lives. Your post made me remember good times too. Thank you Kathy
Rainbow