What can I say about the last two weeks of my life? How can I communicate the dramatic changes which have occurred over just 14 days?
What I can tell you is that I feel relaxed and happy again after a long period of anxiety and depression. I have a new purpose in life, I have a living, breathing being to nurture, love and care for (apart from my husband)! I have a reason to go to sleep and a reason to get up early. I am laughing a lot. I feel like my true self again.
What I can tell you is that I now have Molly in my life and that makes all the difference.
This is my personal account of rehoming a racing greyhound. My husband Kev and I made the decision two weeks ago to proceed with the adoption of the most exquisite, noble, loving, gentle and slightly goofy greyhound Molly. We are both delighted to have her as part of our little family and we adore her. However, this is my personal perspective of my new relationship and how it has changed my life.
I have had OCD (intrusive thoughts) for around 50 years. I have always been an anxious person who worries a lot, a perfectionist who gives herself a hard time over just about everything. I have been off work on sick leave for 6 months, have hardly left my home on my own since lockdown started and have had chronic insomnia for so long now.
I have always loved dogs and all animals, but have not had a dog in the family for 40 years. So this was a massive step for me, for so many reasons. What if I was unable to cope with this girl? What if my insomnia continued and I could not cope with everything I would need to do to look after her? What if I transmitted my anxiety to Molly and made her unhappy. Basically what if I did it all wrong!
But when I met Molly I felt an instant connection with her quiet manner and gentle face. My heart told me this lovely creature needed kind people to keep her happy and safe and I knew this was the right thing for us too. Despite all my anxiety and fears, I just knew.
Rehoming a retired racing greyhound is a big step. There are many things which are unknown and unpredictable and it is important to weigh all these things in the balance, to look at what this dog will need from you and ask yourself can you give this commitment for the next ten years or so. It can be scary, not just for someone like me. But we decided to believe that we could do this.
Molly is an incredible girl. We have been so lucky to welcome her into our home. Before she arrived we agreed that we should look after her carefully, treat her gently, train her sensitively and just love her really. It has been so easy to love Molly. Not just because of her beauty, which is mesmerising, or her sweet character which is so endearing, but because of the loving connection between us which is a constant reward to her and to us.
Mental health problems have been experienced by so many people during the last 18 months of the pandemic, many of whom have never had to deal with these before. I felt that my joy in life was evaporating, my ability to bounce back after difficulties had disappeared, my appreciation for connecting with people had gone. I was wrong.
Molly has given me parts of my world and my life back which I thought I might have lost forever. I owe her so much and no matter how much love I give her it will never be quite enough to match what she has already given me. Thank you Molly Moo. I owe you.