Just wanted to make contact, i'm a bit of a technophobe & anxious about this whole online thing! But I need to find community, need to reach out after such isolation. Trying to look after myself as i have no local support, no that's not true, my dog is always by my side. Things have been really hard for some time now. Could do with a virtual hug. Thanks for reading.

Hi there Crepe Myrtle,

Welcome to our friendly online community. We are so grateful that you decided to reach out here today as we know it can be really tough to do this for the first time. We think it's a great way to find community. 

Hopefully a few of our welcoming community members will pop by soon to welcome you and offer some words of support and advice. In the meantime, we wanted to share with you our page on activating your support network for anyone who's finding it tough and feels a little isolated.

Don't worry if you're a bit of a technophobe! It looks like you have everything under control, but if you ever want a bit of advice on using the forums, there's always the Forums FAQ thread.

Thanks again for sharing with us here, Crepe Myrtle. 

Kind regards, 

Sophie M

Hi Crepe Myrtle,

Wellcome to our forums!

Im glad you have a dog they are great company.

We are all a very caring community and are here to support you.

Crepe Myrtle

I also am a bit of. Technophobe and often embarrass myself by not knowing things that others do.
you have started a thread Nd made a couple of posts so well done . I took many years after I joined until I made a post.

This is a great support community snd you will find by helping others you will feel supported.

Welcome .

Thanks Petal,

I'm treasuring my dog right now, she's having surgery tomorrow to remove a nasty tumour. Fingers crossed.

Thanks Quirkywords,

I do hope that I can be of some support to others while getting the support I need too. I joined a couple of years ago but only posted yesterday!

Hello Dear Crepe Myrtle..

Im really sorry Crepe Myrtle that your finding life really hard right now...

I read your gorgeous fur baby is having a tumour removed tomorrow and wanted to wish her all the best luck I have..

I live alone, with my 2 fur babies who are the greatest supports I can ever have...They are always with me, through tears, loneliness and happy times...

These forums are full of wonderful people, reaching out for help as well as reaching out to those who need help and support...I am pleased that you have decided to reach out to us...and hope so much that we can help support you...

My kindest thoughts Crepe Myrtle....I have a beautiful mauve Crepe Myrtle just inside my drive way...Which is housing a crested dove and 2 babies...Do you like Crepe Myrtles...

I love giving hugs, it takes to to hug...here’s a warm comforting hug 🤗 lovely Crepe Myrtle...

Grandy..

Grandy, your words have put a smile on my face when i was ready to cry. Thank you.

My darling dog has been my best friend for 12 years. I lost my other one 2 years ago, almost to the day, to cancer.

I do love crepe myrtles, i've just acquired one that has very dark, almost black leaves & bright red flowers.

Thanks for the hug, I'm sending one back to you and to all the people out there.

Hello Fear Crepe Myrtle...

I am pleased that my words put a smile on your face..so much better then crying...although it’s okay to cry, and not be okay always...

I am sorry to hear that you lost your other little fur baby 2 years ago...It would have been devastating for you...I do so much that your fur girl will heal quickly after her surgery tomorrow....The are a big part of our lives....

If your feeling anxious, sad, or down or anything tomorrow please don’t hesitate to talk here if you feel up to it...We are all here for you and your fur baby.....Hopefully we can help you in some small way...

You’re new Crepe Myrtle sounds beautiful..the bright red flowers against the dark black leaves will be so picturesque...

Thank you for your hug...It’s been so long I can’t remember when I last had a hug from r/l (real life) people.....

My care, hugs and pats to you and your pet...

Grandy..

Hello Crepe Myrtle, and a very warm welcome to the community! We're thrilled to have you.

If you've been feeling alone and in need of connection you've come to the right place. I can understand the struggle of wanting to find my 'tribe', it's not easy. Despite your technophobia, the BB forums are a great place to connect, share your story and lean on others like you when you need it most.

How did your precious fur-baby go with the surgery? I hope all went well.

Whenever you're comfortable, we'd love to hear a bit more about who you are and what you have been feeling lately. Where ever we can, we will try to offer support and advice.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Hi Banksy,

My darling girl got through her surgery really well. She's a patchwork quilt now as she ended up having 7 lumps removed. She's home now & off with the opiate fairies. She'll need some intensive nursing over the next 10 days.

I've washed dishes & put on some chicken for her if she wants dinner later.

Meanwhile my alcoholic online gaming addicted partner is sitting happily at his computer with his beer. No wonder I get depressed.

Nice to know complete strangers are thinking of me at this time. Thanks to everyone out ther.

Hi Crepe Myrtle..

Im so happy to hear that your darling girl’s surgery went well and she is comfortable at home with her mummy....

I’m sorry that your partner is not much support with your fur girl....A lot of pampering, love and cuddles will your fur girl, will hopefully give you both a warm feeling...

Kind thoughts lovely Crepe Myrtle....with a pat from my fur girls to yours....and a hug for you..🤗💜..

Grandy...

Well my dog is doing incredibly well, much better than expected. For a few days there I was able to put all my focus onto her. Now that she doesn't need all my attention i'm finding my reality is seeping back in to my daily life. It's not a good reality.

I'm not coping well at all. Don't want to get out of bed. Don't want to face the day. Don't want.... anything...

Now i just feel like i'm complaining and next thing i know i'll be apologising which i know is not right so i'll leave it at that.

Good to be reaching out i suppose.

Hello Dear Crepe Myrtle...

Thats so good your gorgeous fur baby is doing so well..but no so good that your not coping well...I’m so sorry your not..

When you needed to spend your ime and energy on your girl, you were experiencing a coping tool called distraction...one of the best coping tools for mental illness...Your thoughts were directed (distracted) onto something else rather then staying in your head....

Staying in bed is okay every so often..the problem is in bed we don’t have any distraction from our depressive thoughts...and that’s the reason that we can get deeper into our depression..

I’m wondering if your gorgeous girl fur, would enjoy a lovely slow walk with you today, or maybe a sit down outside with you in the beautiful outdoors, with fresh air and lots of new smells that she can discover, while you listen to the sweet songs of the birds around you....Just some gentle suggestions lovely lady..

Your not complaining Crepe Myrtle, your saying how it is..and that’s what here is for....

Have you ever listened to audio books?...I love them and light my candles while I’m listening to them...my fur babies like to watch the flickering flame....

I think I may be rambling on a bit..Just wanted to try to help you...and to let you know that I do care about you and am here if you feel to talking...

My kindest of all wishes for you and your fur girl...with a warm and caring hug to you both..

Grandy..

Hello Grandy,

Thank you for your kind words, they really make a difference. To feel heard, acknowledged is so important and i haven't felt that for a while.

My dog & i would both benefit from a gentle walk, if i can bring myself to do it.

I usually like to listen to music but today that doesn't feel right. I don't know what to say, just a great big thankyou for hearing me and caring.

Hugs and pats to you & your furry ones.

Hello Dear Crepe Myrtle..,,

Just popping in to see how you and your gorgeous fur girl are doing....

What kind of music do you like listening to...no need too answer if your not up to it...

Oh my goodness today I went to visit my neighbour with my 2 fur girls as she had a little one like my 2 ( Maltese cross) and a Siberian Husky...they all like playing together...also my neighbour has around 9 chickens, 3 little chicks running around and a duck....they all play with each other...For some reason my fur girl decided that rubbing herself in Duck 🦆 💩 droppings would be a good thing to do....😂😂..Wow she didn’t smell to good to me....😂😂 and being a hot day I hosted her off...under a great deal of protest from her....

Just thought you might like a bit of company today and hear about what my day was like...

I hope today was good for you both..

Kind thoughts with a hug or 2 for you both..

Grandy..

Hi Grandy,

My girl is getting her stitches out today, fingers crossed, she's done so well.

I managed a four hour round trip to visit my friend the other day which did me a world of good.

Thanks for your thoughts, I hope today is good to everyone.

Hi Crepe Myrtle,

Really glad to hear your fur baby is travelling well after their surgery and that you found comfort in supporting them through it. It's nice to have someone or something to take care of to take our mind off of things sometimes.

I'm also really glad to hear you got out to see a friend and it brought you some joy. 4 hour round trip - wow! Good on you for arranging it and getting out to see them. Were you able to talk to them about how you have been feeling? Are they someone you can trust with this? I hope they are supportive.

My cheeky dog is laying beside me as I write this, licking peanut butter off a kong. His favourite. When I'm really down, I find getting him out for a walk in the park, or being silly and playing with him inside can really put a smile on my face. They are so loving and loyal to us, our pets.

Another small action you may want to try is a gratitude list. For me, when I feel deeply depressed and low on energy this is something I can either write down in bed or sad out loud one by one, to help shift my mind from sad/negative thoughts into more positive ones. It can be as simple as being grateful for sunshine, clean water, a warm bed... or as personal as our pets, family or certain memories... I list as much as I can in one sitting. Perhaps you could try this next time you're down?

Thinking of you and sending virtual hugs.

Let us know how you're getting on soon.

Hello Dear Crepe Myrtle...

Awe I’m really happy your gorgeous fur babies got his stitches out...I had a bit of surgery on my back and was so looking forward to getting my stitches out yesterday, but they decided another few days to a week....I wonder if our furs get as itchy as humans do when they have stitches...if only we could talk dog language 😁....

Going our on a 4 hour round trip..I’m so proud of you...I know how hard that would have been for you...you did it and spending time with your friend made you feel a world of good....That was talking a few good steps forward...

I hope that your girl continues to heal daily...I have a thunderstorm right now and my fur girls are scared of them...I have both sitting on my lap getting lots of soothing pats..It’s sad to see them so scared and hard to comfort them when they don’t understand...

How are you...yourself feeling lovely lady..both mentally and physically?...remember Crepe Myrtle that we are here for you if you need to talk or even just for a chat....

Look after yourself Crepe Myrtle as well as your fur girl...

looking forward to hearing how your feeling....when you feel up to it...no pressure though...

My care, love and hugs for you lovely lady and some pats for your gorgeous fur girl..l

Grandy..