Prompted by a survey that Mumsnet is currently running about how dog and cat owners look after their pets. The last question asks about what your dog means to you.
I'd like to tell you about mine. He isn't my fur-baby or child. He is my side-kick, wing-man, companion.
I was in a shitty relationship for 6 years, financially abusive and generally unpleasant. It was very lonely and my dog was beside me through that. When I made the decision to finally end things with my ex and told family and close friends, they were incredibly supportive and really encouraged me that I was doing the right thing.
The day my ex left however the support stopped. It was as if they went "she's done it now, well done" The thing is actually that's went things got harder. I was so lonely. Having someone around at the end of the day, someone (however shit) to talk to, or exchange a few words with). I suddenly went from having companionship to being on my own 7 days a week.
Friends and family had said they were supportive, but it was just words. But unless I called, or asked to do something there was nothing. After a few weeks of me always being the one to reach out I felt like a burden.
I then started dating again, and it was great. But the difference is, early days you might see them once or twice a week, but I missed that daily interaction.
Through all of this my dog has been there, making me smile, being dependable, accompanying me or trips to the pub or on a day out (when all my friends are too busy).
What do I want from this thread? Firstly, when a friend is going through a difficult time for people to realise the break up isn't the hard part; its what come next- the silence, the quite, the long hours alone. Being a good friend, isn't about always answering the phone, sometimes its about you reaching out so the other person feels wanted.
And secondly, when you see me and my dog in a pub or a cafe, yes I can leave him at home, but I don't want to; in fact I'd then probably stay at home with him. For me he is my support into the world, he isn't part of my family- he is my family. When people say I dont know why people have to take their dogs everywhere- well he's all I've got. And as I try to rebuild a life, he'll continue to support me and help me through, more so than anyone else ever has done.