Introduce Yourself — Hi Steemit! I sruggle with anxiety and depression, and I want to show some love for my service animal.

elliebelly (34) in frogdog • 8 years ago (edited)

Hi #Steemers! I'm Ellie, and this is my adorable, flat-faced #frogdog and bestie, Beatrice.

We're brand new to Steemit.

_{Sorry, she's too lazy to pose for a good photo.}

We travel the world together. (I know, another white human with breasts that travels. But I have a cute puppy.)
#misogynywelcome

_{JFK → CDG}

Beatrice might be the only dog in the world that likes flying (as long as she has her bear).

And I don't mind it as long as I have Beatrice next to me. I get a lot of nasty looks at the airport and questions like, "Why didn't you leave your pet at home?" But Beatrice isn't a pet. She's on her way to being a psychological service animal. Without her, I wouldn't be able to leave my house, much less get on a plane and go to a different country by myself.

Some mornings, because of my #anxiety and #depression, I feel like I can't get out of bed. But I look at this face and remember that I'm responsible for another being that can't take care of herself, and I get up and start my day off right with a walk outside. It works a lot better than just trying to "get over it" or "try to control it."

I have to feed her and walk her, but I need her a lot more than she needs me. She makes me hold her paw when I get anxious, licks my hands and gives me her brush when I self-harm, and lays on my chest when I'm having a full-blown panic attack.

To the rest of the world, I just look like a crazy dog mom that can't go anywhere without her puppy. But without this bundle of joy reminding me to hold my head up, I probably wouldn't even be here. Thanks, baby.

This whole process has been a completely new challenge, and except for Beatrice, I've felt alone most of the way through it. Has anyone found help or empowerment for anxiety and depression through platforms like Steemit?

frogdog depression bulldog anxiety misogynywelcome serviceanimal frenchie introduction Steemers introduceyourself

8 years ago by elliebelly (34)

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bendjmiller222 (64) · 8 years ago (edited)

I struggle with depression and anxiety as well. Pets are such special friends. You might enjoy my post as well as you have a similar love for our speechless companions. https://steemit.com/tribute/@bendjmiller222/tribute-a-friend-s-unconditional-love This community has so much love for people experiencing hard times. Being honest about your struggles make people realize they don't have to struggle alone.

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elliebelly (34) · 8 years ago

Thanks for sharing your post, and I'm so sorry for your loss. I've lost a few dogs, and it's truly like losing a family member. And you can't pretend you'll see them next Christmas when they used to always be right at your heels.

I love how you say you never stopped calling him puppy. I feel the same about Beatrice. Her excitement and curiosity for the smallest things in life will always make me see her as a puppy!

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bendjmiller222 (64) · 8 years ago

Yes I'd love to hear more about that as well. I'm glad you found someone who can help you through some tough times. I'd very much like to destigmatize mental health issues, and those who take medicine for it. When you think of it it is not so different from people taking insulin. Through a chemical imbalance or a traumatic experience your body doesn't respond in a way that it should. So I guess when people come to realize this it will be easier for people to share their hearts, as I have known people who committed suicide who were broken on the inside but put up a cheery facade to keep other people from knowing they had real struggles in life. When you look at a place like facebook, 85 or more is content of people posting happy things. Here people are posting hard things and while sometimes sad, it should give others a realization that other people are out there who share similar feelings. Definitele check out @stellabelle she is an amazing writer and offers an anonymous posting service so you are able to post content you would not want associated with your name. Such a brilliant idea and her photos and editing bring content to life in a way that few people do. I'd highly recommend following her for when the follow user button finally allows us to see our favorite posters content in one feed.