I think I am obsessed with my dog

[quietmoon]

I'm in my late 30's and 4 years ago I got a beautiful Boxer boy puppy. He is the most beautiful, calm, well behaved and loving dog. I've had a rough few years and he has literally healed me just by being by me side.
I even quit my job so that I could a start a home business and be at home with him. I can't even contemplate going abroad and leaving him, it's just not going to happen!

I also have an adult child and a long term partner, but in all honesty, my dog is my number one by far (I do love my DP and DC immensely) and I can't imagine life without him. This is where things get a bit weird ...I sometimes get overwhelmed with the thought that one day he wont be here. This is something that feels unbearable and knowing I have that pain ahead of me is distrupting my wellbeing. I don't want to let these intrusive thoughts affect my present but more and more I find myself worrying about the future without him.

I grew up with dogs but never remember feeling this strongly about a 'pet'.

Do any of you feel overly attached to your dog??! Or am I just batsh!t crazy?

[Florries]

I feel the same about my DDog. They really are man's best friend. My pup is the light of my life.

I think you have anxiety and are focusing it in the direction of your DDog. I think you should speak to your GP as you want to enjoy your pup to the fullest and not have the constant worry.

I had the same thing but with my baby (a real human one) I had CBT and it really helped me. I was so worried he was going to die but it was all hormones and a touch of PND. So can definitely relate to the intrusive thoughts about a loved one in peril.

Your pup sounds lovely, would love to see a pic! Here is my little scruff... (Let me know if you can't see the pic,I'm using the app and it can be iffy)

[YuhBasic]

He’s your heart dog 🙂

I’ve had many dogs but my current terrier is my heart dog. If I think too hard about losing him I start crying 😳

[RLOU30]

I’m like this totally. Just had a baby and cried for days thinking how hard my dog was taking it all. When I leave him home alone (rarly) I always think god have I left the iron on (even if haven’t ironed for week lol)

[quietmoon]

@Florries I do suffer with anxiety and I let it get the best of me, I definitely need to work on that.

@YuhBasic That's such a nice way to put it, I'm convinced he's my animal soulmate

@RLOU30 I can only imagine! I was on the fence about having another baby but I've got my furbaby now so.... probably not

[BiteyShark]

I sometimes worry about what would happen to BiteyDog if both DH and I was killed together. I am seriously contemplating adding something to my will with a trust setup and nominating someone to look after him if that situation was to occur.

Ironically the other way round whilst it makes me sad, doesn't make me as sad as it would be my pain and not his.

[Squirrel26]

I feel a bit like this. My dog is 2(ish). Thinking about him being old and dying makes me cry. Even when he’s driving me mad and I wish he’d just leave me alone for a bit!

[RTFT]

Pictures?

[IWriteCode]

Bitey, we have an agreement that if something were to happen to DH and I, CodeDog would go to his lovely dog walker who loves him to bits.

[pigsDOfly]

Yes, I have already had a conversation with my DD about what should/shouldn't happen to my dog if I should die before her.

I don't think my DD could keep her (as much as I think she'd want to) as her life is totally unsuited to having a dog, so I've explained to her about rehoming and how she should go about it.

Will probably end up putting something in my will just to be on the safe side.

I did think about doing the Dog Trust will thing. Has anyone done that?

[BiteyShark]

My dog is really not good in any kennel type environment so I worry about him ending up in one if we were to both die. Given that I don't have children I can certainly make sure any cost of looking after him is covered.

IWriteCode I would love for my dog walker to take him but not sure how I would approach that conversation she probably already thinks I am a bit bonkers . What I would like is to leave a legacy to someone to look after him or find a charity where they guarantee that he would remain in a foster home before finding him a permanent home.

When we both went on holiday this year I had that horrible realisation that my dog would be so sad if something happened and we never returned.