More than just a walk.....

[Agoodenough]

Whilst I was out walking in the woods yesterday I met a man whose wife had died only 3 months ago.

He had a battersea rescue dog with him that he had just got as a companion to walk with as he always used to walk with his wife. It was sad to see him but it was great that he had this dog now that he could focus his attention on rather than his grief, as he put it.

The man said he wasn’t a particularly sociable person but enjoyed the company of his new walking friend and liked that whilst out he would bump into other walkers and have a quick chat and move on. He felt the dog and the walks were really helping him even after such a short time and I thought that was great.

Walking is so good for your body and mind even in such times of despair as this man found.

I walked away from him and rather than feeling sad I was pleased that they had found each other. 🙂

[Hidden]

What a touching event. I too am glad he found a new walking pal. I talk to my dog Ribbie all the time and most of the time he understands my words. He is such a delight & a bit of a rascal..

[Agoodenough Administrator in reply to Hidden]

That’s lovely. The man said to me, you’ll probably think I’m mad but I’ve started talking to the dog and I said I’d think you were mad if you didn’t ! 😁

[Hidden in reply to Agoodenough]

LOL... he is very normal. Grief is hard on us humans ... pets can help us deal with pain & pull us out of depression by taking US ON WALKS.

[Hidden]

That's such a lovely story Ali. Our daughter and her husband have just got a rescue dog, it's a Jackapoo and it's focussing their minds on the dog rather than the illness their daughter, our granddaughter has, she has JIA, Juvenile Arthritis, and the inflammation is in her eyes, she's also had it in her knee bless her. The dog, Toby, I think is starting to help already.

I'm a great believer in animals helping people through difficult times as I they certainly understand.

[Agoodenough Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Oh dear your little granddaughter is going through it and her parents for that matter. I think pets are wonderful and we used to have a Toby too, he was a chocolate Labrador 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Agoodenough]

Yes she certainly is but she's taken her first lot of Methotrexate really well which is good and so far has had no reaction to it; the side affects aren't good so I'm glad she's okay so far. Pets are so good as healing people; they are so calming. Labradors are gorgeous dogs and so loyal.

[Agoodenough Administrator in reply to Hidden]

I’m so glad she is okay. My son has been on methotrexate for two years. Hopefully coming off in February. He has had no side effects after the initial few weeks so I wish your granddaughter all the best x

[Hidden in reply to Agoodenough]

I'm so sorry your son has also been on it but so pleased he may be coming off it in February. I'm also pleased to know he doesn't have any side effects now.

Thank you re my granddaughter. xx

[Agoodenough Administrator in reply to Hidden]

He has been on prednisone steroids and methotrexate for two years not the ideal scenario but there you go. I’ll keep you informed on how they bring him down off of it in February and how it goes.

[Hidden in reply to Agoodenough]

Oh no, I really feel for you and your son, how awful. Yes please, I'd like to see how it goes for him xx

[Zest Administrator]

Definitely more than just a walk - a testament to humanity and companionship - lovely.

Zest

[Agoodenough Administrator in reply to Zest]

Yes definately. Poor chap. He said he has two grown up children but one lives in China and the other is travelling the world which is quite typical of a lot of families these days I imagine 🙂