I recommend getting a dog!

[pinky5]

Hello everyone,

Just thought I would share a bit about how having a dog and going to the dog park has helped me with my social anxiety.
About 10 years ago I started dating my current boyfriend who happened to have a dog. He is very friendly and social guy who will chat with anyone in any situation, which was quite a challenge for me to be around but I really wanted to be like that so so I hung in there. We would go to the dog park and every 5 minutes someone and their dog would come along and much to my horror my boyfriend would stop and start chatting with a total stranger!! I would think "What is wrong with these people??!!" There I would be shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other inching slowly away trying to wrap up the conversation. I was always in such a rush to get away, I just wanted to run. Then we started living together and sometimes I would have to take the dog out by myself! He was a very high energy breed so skipping the walk wasn't an option. At first I would just rush by people, barely talking but once in a while I would stop and try to have a conversation telling myself I could move along if I started to feel too uncomfortable. I discovered that "dog people" were for the most part very nice and easy to talk to. If there happens to be an uncomfortable moment I would just ask a question about their dog or bend down to give one a cuddle. Over the years this has become much more comfortable for me and has helped me be more open and able to talk to people in other situations. Sadly that first dog died 2 years ago. We now have another dog that is so friendly he runs up to everyone for a pat, so I have no choice but to stop and talk to people now. There are so many dogs out there in shelters that need a home and some love, you could help a dog and yourself at the same time! Hopes this helps someone out there!

Rachel 

[apple]

Wow What a great idea!!


Well done on your journey!

[purplerain210]

I cried when I read your post. Don't laugh! It's just that somehow animals show us so much about how to be. They can teach us so much. They sniff without any reservations at all! They behave in all kinds of ways that seem foreign to us. It's like they're teaching us a lesson. I agree with you tho. Animal lovers......dogs in particular are usually rather nice people. Walking a dog is a nice way of introducing us to people of a like mind. It also takes the attention off ourselves. I think the lesson is, just go for it, sniff it out and have fun!

[pinky5]

purplerain210,

Thanks for your reply to my post, it made me smile, and I'm not laughing. I loved what you said about dogs sniffing with no reservation at all. You're right about them teaching us a lesson, and showing us how to be. I think what you said "just go for it,sniff it out, and have fun!" might be my new motto.

Rachel