Jun 7, 20233 min read

Emotional Wellness=Missing Dash

Updated: Jun 13, 2023

Emotional Wellness Defined

As defined by the National Institute of Health: Emotional wellness is the ability to successfully handle life's stresses and adapt to change and difficult times.

This is a dimension on the "Wellness Wheel" which is often neglected or not understood by many. One reason is not anyone persons emotional wellness is the same, especially those living with any type of epilepsy.

My Self Taught Seizure Alert/Emotional Support Puppy Dash

This week has been tough, just returning from traveling and thinking of Dash. Tomorrow on June 8th in 2019 was when we had to place our dear puppy Dash to sleep. He was originally a potty training award(2006) to our oldest who named him Dash after the Incredibles movie, but he quickly became the heart of our family and eventually my daily seizure alert dog. When they say pets can sense when their owners are off, it is so true and there is nothing like having a puppy who loves you unconditionally no matter what you are feeling. I reflect on many days watching the boys wrestling with him, or catching the football, playing/jumping in the snow, and of course he had his own blanket he carried around with him and even the boys when little tried to sleep in his dog bed:) So daily he made all of our hearts feel full. Whether it was a rough day at work, school or through our various moves waiting for all of us at the window. Oh, and if anyone dare opened a cheese wrapper he quickly came running:) It was his favorite treat.

What Dash Did For Me

Living with my Glitch has not been an easy journey. Dash could sense at times I was about to have a full seizure; they say there is a scent that dogs can smell when a seizure is about to occur. He would nudge at me or bark to try to warn us. In the beginning we had no idea that this was what he was trying to tell us, after all he wasn't trained for that. He would place his head on my leg, or lay down snuggled next me on the floor or up on my lounge chair like he was protecting me or making sure I was ok and stayed there until he knew I was. There are days where I have seizures which place my emotions in overload, crying for no reason is just one example. When Dash was with me it was like he was smiling back at me to reassure it was going to be ok, and it wasn't my fault, to rest to be better for our family. After all, what dog doesn't enjoy a good snuggle and sleep. He would go on walks with me and I could talk to him just like he was one of the boys or my hubby, and I swear he understood it all. He was my only companion at home, if I couldn't make it to one of the boys activities. He provided that love I needed to not feel guilty. So when we had to place him to sleep, I tried to be there for him just like he was always there for me. He laid in his bed, I gently rubbed his head, and he looked up to me while I talked and yes tried not to cry too hard in front of him while it happened.

Miss You Dash Everyday, I Love You

All of us miss you but I still look at your picture daily and even at times still talk to you, like you are right beside me and not just in a picture. Since I had to medically retire, we have moved, and both boys are gone now reaching for their dreams. Much has happened since you went to doggie heaven, but I still feel your love daily and wish you were here to keep me company on my hard days.

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