Welcome

Welcome to my first blogg on this site. Today is a sad day as I had to have my faithful old Dog Ernie put to sleep yesterday. It reminded me, as I said a very sad farewell to a good friend, how important support and friendship is.

There will be people who do not have an animal who may think I am a bit wacky saying a dog is a friend and support. However this little chap has been there for 17 years he has always had a warm welcome for me, been there in the middle of the night when life was hard. When I needed to talk he would listen and give me a cuddle . On his side all he asked for was to have a bowel of water, food, a walk, help look after his coat and care for him if he was ill.

So often when people become over stressed or depressed they withdraw and don't look to their support network for help. Just talking to someone can help to focus on what is important or help to reflect how realistic or sensible in what you are thinking, expecting, needing or trying to achieve.

It has always surprised me when life has been difficult the people who offer support, it is not always who you think it would be. It can be someone you may have dismissed or someone you may not have given much support to yourself.

It is the same with animals they do not ask for much but they give so much back. Research has shown that owning a cat or dog can help to reduce blood pressure and reduce stress. With a dog you take them out for walks which can help to lift mood.

Laughter can certainly help to reduce stress and this is often apparent to me with the pack of animals my husband and I own, who give us much cause for merriment. Weather it is the dogs playing the fool, the cats being aloof and not amused when they fall off the sofa, or the chickens giving the dogs a telling off they make us laugh and certainly help to make life more rich.

So to little Ernie thank you for being the comical little friend and companion, although we have three other dogs and a few cats it is a much quieter place today with out you.