Pug Therapy
This is going to be an extremely wordy Wordless Wednesday post, but one that I have felt extremely compelled to write. I am taking the passing of Robin Williams pretty hard which feels kind of strange. I’m a fan of his work of course – who isn’t? But, I think the thing weighing on my mind is the fact that someone so brilliant and successful succumbed to the same disease that I struggle with daily. If someone with that much going for them can’t handle it, is there really hope for me?
Logically, I know that there is. I know that depression lies. Many days I’m treading water and some days I feel like I’m being pulled under – but eventually I’m able to breathe again.
I often use the term “pug therapy” here on this blog, on social media and in life. And while it’s said somewhat tongue-in-cheek, there is truth to it also. There have been days that I don’t care about anything. I want to stay in bed and not go to work or move. But I know I have to go because I have this little squish faced creature relying on me. (This isn’t to say you can cure depression through willpower – keep in mind this is in conjunction with therapy and medication)
Some days the sight of him doing something ridiculous is the only bright spot in an otherwise dark day.
Robin Williams had a rescue pug named Leonard. Each time I see a goofy picture of the pair of them posted, my heart hurts. For Robin and for Leonard. I know Leonard will be taken care of but I can’t stop imagining him being confused and wondering where his daddy went. It makes me sad. It makes me angry. Why do people have to suffer from this? Why do I?
If you’re reading this and you have no personal experience with mental illness it might not make a lot of sense to you. Which is totally understandable because I’ve dealt with it most of my life and still don’t understand it. Two posts that I think are required reading for, well, everyone who knows another human being are by Allie Brosh. She somehow hilariously illustrates her battle with depression in a way that I have never been able to verbalize coherently. Post 1. Post 2.
August 13, 2014 @ 12:19 am
Thank you for this post. I didn’t realize that Robin Williams had a pug.
I agree with you, sometimes it helps to have our dogs depending on us to get out of bed when we don’t want to.
August 13, 2014 @ 1:01 am
Our pets provides such strength and guidance. Sending you Lots of Golden LOVE. Stay Strong. Golden Woofs
August 13, 2014 @ 2:35 am
Thank you for sharing this personal story of your struggle. Our pets seem to sense when we need them most. We are so glad that you have each other! <3
August 13, 2014 @ 7:44 am
Pets are truly a source of strength, comfort, and unconditional support. They can be the thing that gets us out of bed in the morning. Despite the many people who tell me I should long for pain, I am grateful that despite the frustrations I do have in dealing with my life challenges, I do get to deal with them with some privacy. I can’t begin to fathom, nor do I wish to experience, what it must be like to manage them in front of the world stage.
August 13, 2014 @ 7:45 am
Sorry pain should be fame, sad to say typing isn’t working well this morning.
August 13, 2014 @ 7:47 am
Thank you for sharing this story! Our pets know us better than we know ourselves I think and I am personally happy to have that in my life 🙂
August 13, 2014 @ 8:08 am
I completely understand what you mean. Knowing that my pups are relying on me has helped me get through some tough times. It certainly doesn’t make things better, but it at least forces me to get up to feed the dogs.
August 13, 2014 @ 8:18 am
Dogs really do provide therapy if you ask me, just their presence is calming. It’s not easy to share a story like that but I’m glad that you did and I’m glad the Pug helps you!
August 13, 2014 @ 9:17 am
Depression is a super horrible thing, and nothing anyone anywhere deserves to have to go through. My wonderful Poppa always suffers from this horrible illness, so though we can’t claim to know what it’s like 100% (or anything close to it.) we do know how badly it hurts the person with it.
Though Robin, may he rest in peace, succumbed to this horrible thing you CAN NOT let that sink you low. Of COURSE there is hope for you!! I’m sure sometime it’s hard to see or believe, but it’s there. If you are still here and still fighting this thing, then you are so much stronger then even you probably know or believe, and my Momma says that is an awesome thing.
Don’t let this get to you, and keep on fighting the good fight! It may not be much or mean much, but through this time when this is hurting you on a personal level I am sending you all the power of the paw that my minature poodle self can manage, and Momma is sending you as much people strength and hope as she can.
Be strong, we know you have it in you!
August 13, 2014 @ 9:39 am
Since getting Kilo my foster pug I completely believe and understand “pug therapy”. It’s amazing what these little dogs can do!
August 13, 2014 @ 10:29 am
Thank you for sharing this story. I really believe that dogs can be one of the best forms of therapy no matter what someone is going through. They are just amazing!
August 13, 2014 @ 10:34 am
This is a great post. His death has hit my hard as well and triggered memories from when my depression sent me to the brink. Besides therapy, what allowed me to stand back up and live life were my dogs, especially my fur son, Toby.
I adopted Toby soon after I was in my worst days (I didn’t so carelessly and for years had planned t adopt a dog). He saved me, let me cry on his fur and made me love on a level I had never reached before.
You are not alone in the struggle. Robin Williams wasn’t either but this is a nasty disease that can be ruthless in its conquests.
Wishing you a happy day.
-Margot
August 13, 2014 @ 12:09 pm
Great post, and thanks for sharing. I totally understand how you feel as I suffer from depression too. Some days are better than others, and I too have days when all I want to do is stay in bed and not go out or do anything. It’s a struggle, but my cat Athena helps me through it and keeps me going. She is an amazing, affectionate cat and never leaves my side. In fact, though she is a rescue cat, I feel that she actually rescued me.
Your pug is adorable 🙂
August 13, 2014 @ 1:08 pm
I was incredibly saddened and very shocked to hear the news about Robin Williams, but I definitely know it’s not my place to judge. Thank you for sharing this.
August 13, 2014 @ 3:01 pm
I was stunned when I heard about his death. It’s tragic. There are some days that I don’t know how I could have made it without little Chuy. Pets truly are therapeutic and compassionate creatures.
August 13, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
Totally agree! My dogs brighten up even the darkest of days!
August 13, 2014 @ 8:15 pm
I commend you for your post today, I too was shocked as was most of the world when I heard the news. I am so proud of you for stepping up and speaking out! Great tribute, informative post.
August 14, 2014 @ 7:35 pm
Thank you, I really went back and forth on whether or not to hit ‘publish’. I’m so glad I did.
August 13, 2014 @ 10:26 pm
Very touching post and photos. I’m glad you have Pug. Dog therapy is good for everyone.
August 13, 2014 @ 10:51 pm
You are not alone. You can’t compare yourself to anyone else. Their struggles are their own. I know, easier said than done. And when it comes to depression and anxiety, facts and logic don’t always compute.
You are not alone. You are worth it. You are loved. I hope you find your kernel of corn when you need it.
August 14, 2014 @ 7:34 pm
Yep, one of the most frustrating things is knowing it’s irrational to feel the way you do but unable to stop. Thank you for your words.
August 13, 2014 @ 11:27 pm
I relate to so much of what you’re saying. Yes I have first hand experience and yes I too indulge in pug therapy. So many people have made the comment “But why did he commit suicide – ha had money, was famous, made people laugh etc…. etc….
The thing is, you can tell these people don’t understand how it feels. Depression…Anxiety and every other mental illness does not discriminate on the person. It doesn’t matter if your rich, poor, beautiful or not society’s view of ‘attractive’….
But YES there is hope. In reality, most people in life are just treading water… But keep on going. I don’t know if you’ve had those ‘A-Ha’ moments but if not you will soon and if you’ve experienced a moment of clarity and acceptance then these will come more and more until the darkness is mostly out of sight. 🙂
August 14, 2014 @ 7:32 pm
Unfortunately, I have chronic depression, so I have dealt with it for over half my life. Fortunately, since I’ve dealt with it so long I do have the insight to realize that the bad days really don’t last forever. Even though it can be hard to remember that in the moment.
August 15, 2014 @ 12:09 am
Wow. First of all, I have to say thank you for publishing this post – it took a lot of courage to do so. I suffer from depression as well, and I have been strengthened in a way by seeing how many of my blogging friends deal with the same type of thing. It really says something, I think, that so many of us have pets that help us in different ways. For me, Riley gets me up out of bed on the worst days. He needs to go for a walk, even if I don’t feel like it. Often, he can sense when I’m in “the dark place”, and he curls up on my lap for a snuggle. Dogs really do have an amazing impact on our emotions; nothing else cheers me up more.
I love your reference to Allie Brosh; I own her book and, like you said, I have never read such an accurate and honest portrayal of depression. When I finished the two parts, I was near tears because she had managed (with her silly little comics, no less!) to put into words what I had never really been able to describe. (A question as well, do you also read The Bloggess? She always stresses how important it is to remember that “Depression lies”, and your post reminded me of this.)
I also love that photo of Pug with his teeth showing 😀 Thank you so much for sharing, Andrea <3
August 29, 2014 @ 10:33 pm
Great post and fantastic photo at the top! This really hit home for me because I struggle with depression as well and it’s something that most of my immediate family deals with too. Some days it’s nonexistent, other days it’s an apathetic dull and numb fog, and other days it’s a heavy blanket of intense despair. On those bad days, sometimes the only things that shake me out of it (even if it’s only for a few minutes) are my pugs. So I can definitely relate to what you’re saying. And I am also a huge Hyperbole and a Half fan – her depression posts were so accurate and yet funny.