My Best Friends

So I haven't been on here in quite a while. The reason being I've been diagnosed with acute anxiety and depression. Hard to discuss and even harder to admit to myself. Throughout my darkest moments my furbabies have been by my side, always. They gave me reason to get up in the morning and after not leaving the house for 8 weeks my first outing was a walk with my pups. We all say they're like an extra family member, mine have literally been a lifesaver and my love for them has grown immensely(didn't think that was possible)
Thankfully i'm feeling a lot better but as anyone who suffers the same will know that somedays its an uphill struggle but there is light at the end of the tunnel

Hi Laura! Funny, I'd just been wondering today about you, that you'd not been on here for a while.

I'm so sorry to hear you've been struck with anxiety/depression, they are awful things to have to bear but it's good to hear you sounding positive. Hopefully you're on track to a full recovery now.

You are so right about the power our animals have to help us heal. I can't say I get a massive amount of empathy from my guys but when I've had bad patches they've always been there to cheer me up and keep me going.

Bella's looking fab, by the way, and huge!

Hi Laura and sorry to hear you've not been well recently and noticed you hadn't posted for a while.
I'm pleased to read you're feeling a little better and have had help from your best friends, knowing that they totally rely on you, will have helped get you through your dark days. They understand, I'm sure, when all is not right and for this alone makes them even more special.
As a sufferer of the same illness,  I totally understand how you are feeling and unless people have suffered themselves with this horrible, horrible illness it can be very difficult to understand.

So you're not alone, lots of people suffer with this and hide it from friends and family even.  By talking about it, and opening up, even to a stranger does help and you're correct in that there is light at the end of the tunnel and your furbabies will always be there to help you.

Here for you if needed

Thanks, both of you. It has been difficult but my babies have made it much easier to deal with. Its certainly difficult to talk about but hopefully by opening up more other people will see that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Things are looking up now and plenty more pics to be posted

Sorry to read you've not been so well Laura but pleased that you're on the mend with the help of your fur kids and back here on the forum amongst friends

Thanks Ian. its been a bit of a struggle, but getting there

Good to see you back Laura, I only mentioned in the staff room the other day that we hadn't seen you for a while. Good to hear your furbabies are helping you get through this bad patch Bella is growing fast & beautifully

Thanks Jen. Its been a tough time but getting there thankfully. Wee Bellas growing like a mushroom

Hi Laura! I'm sorry you've not been well but it's lovely to see you online again and great that you're getting out for a walk with your pups

I was wondering how Bella was doing the other day and I almost didn't recognise her there from your pics, she's looking smashing and oh my is she growing up!

Thanks Ange, Yes its been difficult but getting there now. Oh we Bella's not so wee anymore but she's still just as adorable

Hi Laura, great to hear from you and good to hear you are getting through it with the love from your pups. Dogs, well all animals really, have the ability to give so much love to us. Just thinking of Misty makes any rubbish day so much better.

Glad to have you back x

Thanks Emma its good to be back
They really do, they can feel it if we're down and want to give extra big sloppy kisses

And with Bella growing up, there's more of her for cuddles! I love getting to cuddle up with Una on the couch at night, she's a right wee snugglebug

Oh I know!! She doesn't seem to realise she's getting bigger now and with my two other dogs I need a bigger knee

sorry to hear you have been unwell your dogs are a credit to you and sunshine in your darkest days

Check out number 3:

http://thedailypositive.com/top-7-dog-breeds-people-fighting-depression/

Ps you are definitely not alone. I've been there. It helps when anybody talks about their own experiences. Thank you for being brave enough to say something on here.

As a fellow sufferer I know exactly what you are going through in fact I am going back to work today after a bought of bad anxiety and depression that I just couldn't get a grip on. Axl has had an eye on me the whole time offering up his snuggles and kisses on demand! He hasn't left my side only thing is it's so bloody hot and he's a little furry suckerfish lol. I love my sunshine more than words <3

Hi Laura, I am fairly new here and it's amazing how many people suffer with this, and as a sufferer we feel so alone with it. I am glad you have found something that is helping you. I too have suffered for 11 years and found CBT was my saviour.

We should set up our own thread. I'm not entirely joking.