Hi,
How’s it going?
I hope you’re having a good day.
I have a new FREE Podcast titled:
“Bipolar Lesson From Bank Failures”
You can hear it by visiting:
http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=382672
Okay, I have to tell you this funny story about a dog and it’s a great lesson about bipolar disorder.
I have this friend who has a dog – part hound and part dachshund – whose name is Princess, because, well, she acts like she is one!
You’d think this dog runs the house instead of my friend running it, the way this dog gets catered to! Anything the dog needs, she gets. Special food, whatever.
Well, I was teasing my friend, and said, “You treat your dog better than you treat a kid!”
And she said (this blew me away), “Let me tell you something. Everybody tells me that I’m going to go through this Empty Nest thing when my last child leaves home next month, but I won’t because I’ll still have Princess, and she’s my baby!”
Isn’t that funny?
But don’t get mad at me or send me hate mail or anything – I’m not saying anything against people and their dogs. I know a lot of people, to them, their dogs are like their children.
Think of it, though, the life of a dog…
No worries, no cares…
Their biggest problem is whether there’s going to be food and water in their dish.
And then, of course, there’s those pesky fleas!
So, see? The life of a dog isn’t so perfect after all.
But there are some lessons we can learn from a dog that apply to bipolar disorder.
A dog doesn’t worry.
A dog doesn’t stress out.
A dog relaxes and enjoys laying in the sunshine.
A dog likes just being shown affection.
A dog likes peace and quiet.
A dog is happy just to have its needs met. In my courses/systems below, I teach systems and principles like: setting priorities, stress reduction techniques, relaxation techniques, time management, etc:
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
And, of course, I don’t teach them so you can be a dog, but all these things help to be a better supporter.
And think about it – if you learned principles and systems like setting priorities, stress reduction techniques, relaxation techniques, times management, etc…
Then maybe…
You wouldn’t worry.
You wouldn’t stress out.
You’d relax and enjoy laying in the sunshine.
You’d like just being shown affection.
You’d like peace and quiet.
You’d be happy just to have your needs met.
And you know what?
You wouldn’t even have to deal with those pesky fleas!
Hey, I have to run. Catch you tomorrow.
FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT ME
Visit: http://www.bipolarcentral.com/testimonials
David Oliver is the author of the shocking guide “Bipolar Disorder—The REAL Silent Killer.” Click Here to get FREE Information sent via email on how and why bipolar disorder kills.
Post responses below
thank you
can not say enough good things about this programe
best wishes
toria
Animals like they say are mans best friend or I guess they could be enemies too, but I love animals I have 2 dogs 2 cats and 2 birds kinda have the noahs ark going on here except in a house lol. Well did you know there are animal behavior therapy for pet and owner, pet psychics even on tv I saw her 1 time but dont remember her name, who can read the animals mind or why the animal is behaving in certain ways –how interesting–great article!! thanks and I hope you have a great day too!!! Diana
Hey What about that woman who owned the motels who left everything to her dog isnt THAT SOMETHING I bet that dog is in the guinnes book for wealthiest dog? lol tc Godbless
I’ve had three dogs, Siberian Huskies, over my adult life. My first and only female was my easiest then after I was diagnosed BP in my early 20’s my last 2 – males have had neurotic behavior. The boy I have now who is 3 years old TODAY is agoraphobic. He is scared about the world outside our house but loves his fenced backyard. They all 3 have taught me much and are big help with stress and such. No fleas here – use Advantix.
I really enjoy your column it has been very helpful dealing with my teenager with biopolar.I so agree we all need to learn to Mellow,In the 60
70 prople didn’t sweat the small stuff,OH the good old days!thanks for always making me remember to stop and smell the roses.
I dont like being compaired to a dog. I have one and love her to death, but I am not an animal!!!!!! Even though at times I may act like one. I have been called alot of things in my life but never compaired to a dog. This was VERY offencive to me. I think you could of gotten your point across in a diffrent way. What you said was true but I feel like it was poorly said.
Hey, you got the wrong species, Dave! I reckon you’ve never had a dog!
The dog is the one that barks and frets so much it chews up the carpet and furniture when you leave it alone for half an hour, that will follow your heels about the house (when it’s not sleeping) ‘cos it’s afraid you might disappear.
It’s the cat that doesn’t give a sh#t! LOL!
loved today’s column. my g/f has a dog and she treats her like she is one of the family, which, of course, she is. i was very entertained as i said over today’s column. keep up the good work!
Hi Dave
Must say you got a good point and think sometimes we do learn a lot from animals. With every specie there is so much to learn from and we can apply a lot of it in our own lives. It all is a learning process. Sometimes we search so deep to fine solutions and then the answers could be right in front of us and we are just looking right passed it.
Hope you have a great day and keep well.
Dear David. You mean, people with bipolar disorder treat their supporters like dogs?? Or, supporters start “acting like dogs” so as not to cause panic or make it more complicated for the bipolar one?’ Please I need an answer.
well i get ur piont but comparing ppl w bipolar to dogs is a bit much but yeah the whole not having to worry about anything is a big issue w my b/f who doesnt seem to care about a lot he just thinks everything will either come to him or it w happen on its own w o any effort on his part thanks david
Hi, Dave,
I have written you several supportive emails in the past (when people were giving you a hard time and making you feel like quitting what you are doing); however, my emails never shown up on your blog page, so I assume that I was doing something wrong and you never got them. For one thing, your instructions said I should give my email address, and since I just never give out my email address on the internet, I didn’t do that. I decided today I would do so and see if my email shows up on your blog.
First of all, you just don’t know how much I appreciate what you are doing,
to me you are a gift from God. I look forward, every morning, to your uplifting emails, and so many days what you are saying is so applicable to how I am feeling (or suffering from bipolar supporter burn out!) and your messages give me new hope, new ideas of how to deal with certain aspects of the bipolar disease that our son has had for so many, many years, and ultimately a sense of peace within myself at least until the next episodal explosion from him! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU — I think you are GREAT. I wish that I could buy all of the information that you have to offer, but my husband and I are retired (I’m 78 and he is 82),
and our small fixed income is barely enough to keep up with the expenses each month. And though I can’t buy your materials, I will continue to read your daily emails and gain new strengths from each and every one of them. Our son receives SSI but he keeps it spent on “his needs”, and it is usually all gone before even half of the month is gone!
Please don’t think I’m on a “pity party” – no way – My friends at Church tell me that I am one of the strongest women they have ever known, and I am basically a very positive person. My health is really bad, and that makes it extra hard to keep up with all of the daily chores that are necessary for me to do, which makes it hard for me to stay cheerful and patient all of the time.
Forgive me for the negative tone of this email, I’m extra tired right now because when I got up this morning my son had totally flooded my kitchen and it took me four hours to get everything dried out. (He turned the water on in the sink and went back to bed and forgot about it and went to sleep!) It’s funny now; however it wasn’t during the four hours I spent mopping up the water – in all of my cabinets, the floor, etc. etc. I’m okay now, and I hope that as you visualize this scene, you will get a big laugh. Back to your email today about dogs — I think they are great, and there have been times when I have jokingly said, “I wish that I had the carefree life of a dog or cat — hee hee!
God Bless You for your wonderful gift of compassion and help for the unfortunate mentally ill. – Dolores
Hi Dave
I love all animals. I have four dogs and I treat them like children. They are the best treatment to any kind of illness. I have no friends and spend all my time with my dogs, talking to them and playing with them. If one of them should die it will be to my detriment. It is true what you say but fortunately for a dog they have no worries and concerns about what tomorrow holds, they can enjoy the sun. I will even pick up stray dogs as I do not like dogs running around with no-one feeding them and no love. Animals are truly a mans best friend as you can learn from them. If I can afford more animals then I will truly adopt more. They have been my strength during my years of illness and will be in the future.
Thank you David for words of encouragement
Purrcy and Tinker say – give equal time to CATS!! I haven’t had a dog since I was 18; didn’t have the accommodations or energy to keep up with one, what with walking one twice a day, or even had the environment for one. So – I took up with cats!
As I remember, the collie I grew up with WAS semi-human. I was a kid when we got her, and she grew up with me. Everywhere my brother and I went, so did Lady. We even had a dinner bell outside that, when we rang it, she would come running home! I had several deep talks with Lady – especially when we knew we had to put her down after an accident ruined her health. Now THAT was HARD. Tears running down my face, I told her what a GREAT dog/companion she was, and how much I LOVED her. Bidding good-bye to one’s best friend is always difficult, but even more so when she shared soooo much of your life with her. Just spell D-O-G backward, and you’ll “get” what I’m saying about MY best friend…
Cats can keep you grounded, at least, mine do. They have needs and wants, too, especially a full supper dish and plenty of water. Purrcy drinks out of the bathroom faucet; I have to remember to cut it off when he’s done! They have completely different personalities. Tinker is a “love to love and be loved” kind of cat, while Purrcy keeps to himself, except for those times when he wants to be a “lap cat” and take over my body!
I love them equally, but give more attention to Purrcy because he was abused as a kitten unmercifully by the child that lived in the apartment upstairs where he was born. Dragged around by his neck; almost drowned in the toilet; and who knows WHAT else that kid did to him. Essentially, he is antisocial, but when he craves my touch – he gets it!
So – dogs or cats. Sometimes it’s just a personal preference, sometimes it’s by necessity. But – I highly recommend having one in your family, as they DO bring a measure of pure, unconditional LOVE into it, and GIVE much more than they RECEIVE.
BIG HUGS to all bipolar survivors and those who love us. May God bless you real good.
Some people prefer pets to other people for companionship and because they don’t have children, they can be just as much an expense as children, and they don’t argue or give cheek.
But some pet owners don’t care enough or they can’t aford to look after there pets. I am an owner of a cat, but I love most animals.
We all should teat each other like our belovered pets with love, and care for each another no matter if there sick or not.
I have 3 dogs and 2 cats, so I can relate to today’s topic. Animals are great companions, and petting them/interacting with them can be therapeutic, not to mention walking the dogs is good exercise…and the only exercise I get sometimes.
It is hard to be depressed when a dog or cat is sitting in your lap, looking up at you with “those eyes”, just waiting for love and pats.
My dogs sleep on my bed, and I’m not sorry to say they have given me more emotional comfort than any man ever has!
One should never underestimate the “power of pets”.
Why whenever I go to your podcast all I can get is: “How my Mom” Is Mom Mum? I was never looking for your Mum. There where other things there I wanted to here. Your Mom I do not know. For all I know she is ficticious.
Yes she sells the Fiction that is your book.
You MUST be a psychiatrist.
The psych. & it’s pills R the ILLNESS. IT HAS BEEN PROVEN!
To Graham Nelson I love your sence of humor on todays lesson…..lol
Dogs, cats and all animals can get stressed, neurotic, depressed as much as people can. They are influenced by their environment as much as we are. Pets pick up on their owners’ emotions, so if you are stressed your dog or cat will get stressed in its own way. Animals can be wonderful therapists, too.
I must say, my dog Sparky was the best friend I ever had. You hear of all the cliches about how dogs are man’s best friend, true companions, more compassionate than people, etc. but until you have one, or rescue one from the street and they come around to being your friend, you really don’t know, can’t know how much of a joy an animal can bring you.
Some animals are more humane than some humans!?!?! Go figure…
Bob
There is nothing more pleasurable than the warmth of a dog; to pet the dog’s fluffy fur or to get a wet kiss on your face or to be greated at the door by pure happiness. There is not a human being on this Earth that can provide the warmth and comfort that a pet can.
I am new to this site and so far you are ok