Worried mum of Marley

[anne]

Hello, I hope this is ok. I am not sure if people want to read about my worries.

I am a very proud mum of Marley a choc F2. He has been my life since my dad passed away earlier this year and i am worried because on the run up to christmas i am feelind sad sometimes and i think he can sense it. I try really really hard to not let it show but at times i must admit i have cried. I am worried i will imprint these bad times on him and do not want to affect him.

[Frannie & Callie]

Marley probably can sense that you're sad, but it doesn't necessarily have a negative impact on him. If he feels that you're down, he may just try to cheer you up, or snuggle up to give you comfort. Let him. Take the comfort and absolute love that he has to give you. Callie and I are sending all our positive thoughts to you for what may be a difficult holiday season.

[anne]

Thank you so much for replying. Its the first time i have joined a site and was not sure if i should post a message. I will make sure i give Marley lots of love and try hrd to not cry when he is awake. Thank you again

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I know what a hard time Christmas can be. I will always remember the year I lost my Mom, and how hard it was to get through the holidays. What you're feeling is normal...very difficult, but normal. My experience is that this sadness never totally goes away, but it does get much easier. I'm so happy you have Marley to help you through this time. I wouldn't worry about how your sadness is affecting him...I don't think dogs are capable of carrying things like this forward. They pretty much live in the moment. Maybe to get your mind off of things you could try to do extra walks with Marley, or some training or agility. These are all bonding experiences that may be especially helpful to both of you right now. If you're not ready for that, just snuggling together can be very therapeutic. Sending Doodle hugs your way.

[anne]

I thank you for your reply. This is a new experience for me talking on the internet but hearing from you and others has helped so thank you. I have asked father christmas for an agility set and i hope he has listened lol.I am not sure if time will help right now as far as my pain for my dad is concerned it feels awful but i will try hard and not let it upset my gorgeous dog.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Let him comfort you - that is what dogs are for. I have had moments of despair and have buried my head into Peri and she just licks me - they know you are upset and I think they believe it is their job to comfort you and make you feel better. Don't worry about Marley. We are sending positive thoughts your way :) I am sorry for your loss.

[anne]

Thank you for your kind thoughts. I hope your festive time is a happy one. I will try hard not to cry though its not his fault.

[BG and Gavin]

Don't be afraid to feel and share your emotions. Recognizing them and expressing them alone will make you feel better. I think that Jane's suggestions of extra walks is a great one. Also let Marley cheer you up by taking him to the dog park. It's very uplifting to see the joy in them as they run, romp and play with other dogs. Plus the others at the park will constantly be telling you how beautiful Marley is and that will make you feel better too! We will keep a good thought for you.

[anne]

Thank you again to both yourself and others for replying to my post. It has helped knowing there are others out there who care. At the moment the weather is bad here and i can not take him out other than my garden for risk of slipping....(him and i ) Things will ease i hope after the holidays and i will try to keep more on an evan keel.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Anne, I am so sorry for your loss and I am sure Christmas will be very hard for you this year. Let Marley comfort you and love you through your sadness. It won't hurt him and I think it will only strengthen your bond. Doodles are good for comforting!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Anne, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We were just blogging yesterday about one thing that doodles do so well and that is being "menders of broken hearts!" Marley is a member of your family now and families go through ups and downs TOGETHER. He can handle it and you are going to have so many fun and happy times together as well.

I believe each dog comes into our lives for a reason. Perhaps part of Marley's purpose is to be with you as a friend and comforter right now.

[Melissa]

So sorry for your loss. The holidays are certainly difficult when you are dealing with a loss. Although I haven't been dealing with the loss of someone, I have been having my own struggles the last several months and Buddy always seems to know just what to do. If I start to cry and he is in another room or preoccupied with a toy he usually jumps up to my lap and lays down to comfort me and I am grateful. Dogs get a connection to their owners and they help in any way they can to comfort. Glad you joined DK and know that there are a lot of people on this site that will listen and help in any way we can.

[Linda Karell]

Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. My mother died five years ago, and although the deepest sadness has passed, I still miss her greatly. I hope you can just let yourself feel what you feel; Marley will be fine (as so many others have said). The wonderful thing about dogs is that they just "are" and they let you just "be" too. Every morning they wake up to another day in which to delight, romp, and love. That's really good energy to have around you right now. Let him comfort you, and don't worry about him. He'll be doing something he's instinctually meant to do, and you'll both be better for it.