Ollie

Ollie is my two year old yellow lab.  I never understood the reference to " man's best friend " until we got him.  I am not sure if we will ever have children but, Ollie is definitely part of the family.  He came in to our lives at exactly the right time.  I was on disability leave from the school board and not really sure what lay in store for me.  I was sixty pounds over weight and not too motivated to do anything.  The week before we got him, I started going back to the gym.  I was tired of being a lump and wanted to change some things.  When we got Ollie,  he helped me stay motivated to shed the pounds.  Walking every day with him certainly helped and also chasing after him when he did not come back to me.

I highly recommend getting a dog for anyone struggling with a mental illness.  Dogs do not judge you.  They love you unconditionally.  Even if you have had a really shitty day, they still wag their tail when they see you.  I am not sure if Ollie really comprehends the impact he has made on our lives.  He is one of the positive affirmations in my mind to keep me pushing through life.  Jodi is not a dog person but, she too has fallen for our boy.

When I was not motivated to do anything, I still knew that I had to walk Ollie.  So I would walk him and things I was worrying about did not seem that important anymore.  Fresh air and exercise are very therapeutic for mind, body and soul.  Dogs help the healing process.

I made the mistake of watching Marley and Me soon after we got Ollie.  It was a beautiful story but, the ending is heart wrenching.  I still ball my eyes out when I watch it.  I know Ollie is not immortal but, I cannot fathom the day when we have to make that decision.  I  am getting sad now just writing about it.

Ollie is amazing and I am so thankful for the gift of his companionship.

Bye for now, Shawn.