That's one great thing about your dogs they can help bring you up when your feeling down, mine does.

That's so true, Joe - dogs ( and pet ownership in general ) soothes the soul......

I have to add a "me too."

Even if my dogs didn't calm and center me just by being their own living-in-the-now selves (which they DO), the necessity to stand tall and be their pack leader has kept me going more times than I can count.

Me 3...dogs(& other pets) are great for keeping you from getting depressed too; by having to care for them. As part of healthy routine and emotional support, they're awesome. They are also able to help during times of crisis knowing you're not ok when people have no clue. If you love one, a dog can save your life.

I used to say that my dogs were cheaper than therapy but if I am honest, they cost more than therapy :-P With that said, I do not think I would do well without my dogs. Why I might have to go out on a date sometime for companionship ;-)

They might not be cheaper than therapy but they're better than drugs.

(Ingrid, perish the thought - ick - go on a date for the companionship. That's it, the dogs and I are going on a picnic in the park next weekend. Thanks for the great idea!)

On the other hand, it breaks my heart that members of endangered species had to be destroyed this way. I am still shaking my head over the tremendous loss of life in this situation. Any loss of life is horrific enough, but wow, I hate to fathom the magnitude of this loss.

I try really hard to understand the quiet desperation of a suicidal individual. I know deep inside, it must be an excruciatingly painful situation for someone to feel the need to end his/her own life. I have known a few people who have attempted (and serveral that succeded), and I, too have had dark thoughts. But, like Dad always said 'It's a permanant solution to a temperary problem.'

My heart breaks for everyone involved.

 Quote: Tresa Hendrix

They might not be cheaper than therapy but they're better than drugs.

Absolutely. I was being facetious.

 Quote: Ingrid Rosenquist

I do not think I would do well without my dogs. Why I might have to go out on a date sometime for companionship ;-)

My husband is convinced that I only married him so that I could have more dogs........

 Quote: lisa skinner

I try really hard to understand the quiet desperation of a suicidal individual. I know deep inside, it must be an excruciatingly painful situation for someone to feel the need to end his/her own life. I have known a few people who have attempted (and serveral that succeded), and I, too have had dark thoughts. But, like Dad always said 'It's a permanant solution to a temperary problem.'

Many of the folks here know that my Belgian Draft horse Winchester is a rescue. I have never told his story before. I would like to share it now...

Winchester was from a farm about 2 hours south of me. There were 30- some other Belgians there, from seniors to babies. The owner of the farm went out one day with his gun and started shooting his horses. Only 5 got away without a bullet. The only "kill shot" he administered was to himself.

The police came out to the farm, and were horrified by what they found. Horses in all states of injury. All that had been shot were put down as they were too injured to save (gut shot).

They rounded up the 5 that had not been shot and called a slaughter buyer to come and get them. So, even though these 5 horses has survived something so horrific, they were doomed to die.

The slaughter buyer called all of the horse rescues in the state, and all 5 of the horses were saved. Winchester was 18 months old when this happened (he was the youngest).

Winchester has some issues- but he's getting over them. He still freaks out when our neighbor sights in his gun for hunting...

Some pics of Win they day he came to live with us (March 3, 2006):

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/60500_149763795064598_100000929359537_248727_7526941_a.jpg

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/60500_149763798397931_100000929359537_248728_4504251_a.jpg

Nobody knows why the farm owner did what he did. Some speculate that he was ill, but nothing has ever been confirmed that I am aware of. I can't even imagine the terror these horses felt after the first couple of shots.... to kill oneself is one thing, but to do something like this - there is no reasonable excuse for that (in my opinion).