Page 868 - Total War on PTSD

I don't think of it is a weakness at all. I do, however, see it as an obstacle that needs to be addressed because it hinders my ability to function in society. I don't necessarily like to live under the umbrella of the label itself but I still don't consider it to be a weakness. It takes a lot of courage for somebody to admit that they have a problem and that they need help. Just seeking help is a courageous act in itself.
I have two dogs named Harley and Gaea. They are ages nine and three respectively. I have had Harley ever since he was born in 2010 and Gaea since she was eight weeks old in 2015. Harley looks mean but he is a sweetheart. The approach with Harley was to get him to understand the hierarchy of the household...I am Alpha and he was to follow me. I also had to make sure that I met his needs when it came to exercise, discipline, food and love...in that order. This was so that he could trust that anybody that I brought around me would be trustworthy and so that he was going to be as docile as possible. On the flip side, in 2010 I was living in an apartment, just me and Harley, and was gone through kind of a hard time. I couldn't just give up on things or just open the door and let Harley go out by himself. I had to put on the leash and walk him, feed him, etc. So, my having to do these things...it was eventually beneficial to me. In that aspect we had a bond. I was meeting his needs of exercise, the outdoors and leadership while he was meeting mine with companionship, responsibility and things like that. Harley is up there in age and set in his ways and is low energy now because of his age,
With Gaea, she was extremely high energy, she still is. The reason I got her was that Harley was getting up in age and I knew it was only a matter of time before I would have to limit his physical exercise, etc. I'm also wanted someone to keep him company. Harley has the ability to know when I am in distress. He finds a way to draw my attention. He will nibble on my toes. He draws my attention until I stop whatever it is that disturbed me and start petting him. He also
868 of 1085