Hello Norway,
Welcome on board! And thank you…
Actually, I’d like to take a minute or two to thank everybody!
I won’t start naming Countries or individual names because you know I mean you, and all because you stopped in to visit and share such kind and encouraging words this past week, since Andy joined our family.
The thing is you will never know how much of a difference your words have made to both myself and Emma!
And of course to Andy…as you can see he’s under so much pressure!
Emma has just started an Instagram account and she would love you to visit her and Andy @reallyhandyandy where she will document and share their journey towards improved mental health and where she hopes to fulfill her dream and goal of paving the way towards the availability of Psychiatric Service Dogs in Ireland.
This post explains in more detail… Bullying & Beyond… 10.Painting the Pain, part two.
Do you have a dog or other amazing pet? What difference does your pet make to your life? Have you heard of Psychiatric Service Dogs?
With heartfelt wishes,
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx
Create Space 
February 22, 2019 at 2:18 pm
Don’t you just love seeing where everyone is reading your blog from? The world is a much smaller place now that we have the internet to connect us. One of the things I enjoy most about blogging is that it gives me a chance to make friends all over the world.
….And may I just say, Andy is absolutely adorable!
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February 22, 2019 at 2:47 pm
It is amazing Terri, to realise what we say can be seen, heard & most importantly our words can be felt by people far and wide! Blogging has to be the greatest benefit of the internet, opening up a world of friendships and learning! And as a grandparent, lol, I am a bit biased…yes Andy is adorable!! Xx
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February 22, 2019 at 3:08 pm
Andy is so gorgeous!
You already know I share yours and Terri’s views on the joys and benefits of blogging.
I have very happily followed Emma and Andy on Instagram 🙂
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February 22, 2019 at 3:21 pm
Yes, it makes a differenc, your story approaching 1st anniversary of your collaboration is a wonderful example! I know Emma will be delighted to hear of your interest Darren.
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February 22, 2019 at 3:16 pm
It’s fun to see our blogs grow from all over the world, isn’t it? 🙂
Andy is gorgeous! I have an emotional support dog named Leilani. We also have two cats that I just love. Sometimes our house feels like a zoo of love.
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February 22, 2019 at 3:26 pm
It sure is awesome to make links to friends all over the world! Thank you for sharing your story, it is great for Emma to hear how it makes a difference to your life!
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February 22, 2019 at 4:47 pm
💕
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February 22, 2019 at 4:16 pm
Hello from Norway🦋What a lovely post and the picture of Andy is so much atmosphere.
I am so grateful I can read and follow your blog, because when I read your post and words they touch my heart and soul, make a diffrence to me and my day. You make me reflect, and that is healing for me, thank you🦋 I have two dogs, they are so wise, happy and wonderful- I do not have words how much they mean to me- both mine physical and mental health❤️
They always understand, they always know how I feel and they always comfort me. They trust in me and I love them unconditional. They are great friends to walk with in the nature too. Me and them- and the nature and just be in the moment❤️
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April 17, 2019 at 10:10 pm
Lillian, I don’t know why this comment was sitting in my pending folder. I have approved it now. I am glad your dogs bring you so much joy. My daughter is working hard to secure a puppy as a Psychiatric Service Dog. Hopefully it will all work out. xx
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April 19, 2019 at 10:43 am
I know, it happens to me, and I don’t understand it. I wish all the best to your daughter❤️and I wish you all a beautiful weekend🦋
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April 19, 2019 at 3:07 pm
It has started out being the nicest of days Lillian, thanks to simple things, love & respect, my heart felt a sense of joy and peace I haven’t managed to feel in quite a few months…I can’t ask for more. I wish you similar joy and peace and beautiful walks with your special dogs. Xx
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April 19, 2019 at 5:19 pm
Thank you🦋and it really warms my heart and soul when you write what you do❤️
Faith🦋
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February 22, 2019 at 5:16 pm
Andy is adorable. Emma’s passion and plan to encourage others in receiving a service animal is wonderful. When my dad was diagnosed with Parkinsons, his two indoor cats (and the two he cared for in his garage) were very important to his adjustment. My mom told me they were imperitive in getting him up and moving. He’s since lost the two in the garage, but the two indoor cats follow him (at his pace) around the house. They climb in his recliner and lay across his legs (he sleeps in a recliner instead of a bed because it’s difficult to get out of it). It’s okay, at least he sleeps and the cats keep him company and keep him warm. I look forward to following Emma’s Instagram!
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February 22, 2019 at 6:10 pm
Thank you Brenda, Andy is adorable for sure and a live wire! Your story is so wonderful! I’m delighted to hear how your dad’s cats improve his quality of life. It must be reassuring for your mum too. I truly hope as Emma journeys towards helping others that it will also reflect improved health for her.
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February 23, 2019 at 6:19 am
That certainly would be a wonderful outcome! =)
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February 23, 2019 at 12:37 am
Stumbled on your blog. Dave is totally cute! I’m hoping to rescue a dog next year once I have bought my new home in the summer. I love seeing where people who read/like/comment on my blog are from.
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February 23, 2019 at 6:47 am
Glad you stumbled on my blog and hope you find some posts of interest. Best of luck with the purchase of your home, it is a very exciting time! We have two rescue dogs and they have brought us so much happiness and chewed lots of furniture but that’s another story! It is an interesting part of WP to be able to see where our readers are from and it’s also helping improve my geography!
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February 23, 2019 at 1:43 pm
Thank you for sharing!.. going by the picture, it seems Andy and I have something in common… 🙂 🙂 use to have a little Jack Russell named Bree but she passed away a few years back…
JUST MY DOG
He is my other eyes that can see above
the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds.
He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea.
He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being:
By the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile;
By the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.)
When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, he ignores it.
When I succeed, he brags.
Without him, I am only another man. With him,
I am all-powerful.
He is loyalty itself.
He has taught me the meaning of devotion.
With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace.
He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.
His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.
He has promised to wait for me…whenever…wherever–in case I need him.
And I expect I will–as I always have.
He is just my dog.
Author Gene Hill…
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February 23, 2019 at 2:30 pm
Thank you Dutch for sharing such a lovely poem, Emma said it’s so cute, she loved it! I heard a story only last night that in native American beliefs, when we die we have to cross a bridge and the gate keepers are all dogs who judge us on how we treated dogs.
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February 23, 2019 at 9:46 pm
I have an emotional support dog. Along with taking anxiety medication 30 minutes before leaving the house, she really is the only thing that gets me to the grocery store.
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February 23, 2019 at 11:28 pm
I’m delighted to hear your story Jen and how supportive/essential your support dog is to the quality of your life. Le grà, Marie xx
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February 25, 2019 at 7:38 pm
What does ” la gra” mean?
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February 25, 2019 at 10:13 pm
Hi Jen, thanks for asking, it is Irish for “with love” “le grà” xx
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February 25, 2019 at 10:15 pm
Irish… La gra. I like that. It doesn’t sound like other languages (in my head). I think I will have Google read some Irish to me. LoL.
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February 26, 2019 at 10:21 pm
Le grà…sounds lay graa. Try youtube. Xx
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February 24, 2019 at 8:52 pm
Hello back. Wow you just continue to blossom.
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February 24, 2019 at 9:12 pm
OMG, it’s been so long… too long Donna, how have you been?
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February 24, 2019 at 9:50 pm
Really well. Busy with mostly good things. I miss this place everyday, but life does indeed get in the way sometimes. lol. I am going to try to be a little more regular even if it is once a week. Hugs my friends.
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February 24, 2019 at 9:54 pm
I’m so glad to hear that Donna. I’ll be waiting for you! Xx
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March 2, 2019 at 6:53 pm
Andy is adorable!!! Enjoy every special moment!
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March 2, 2019 at 10:21 pm
Thanks Janie he is but he is also proving to be a very dominant character and quite a challenge!
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March 2, 2019 at 10:34 pm
LOL! As all puppies are! 🙂
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May 3, 2019 at 12:31 pm
You will know now I have been reading a fair amount of your blogs posts today and I plan to read more after this one. I want to catch up and I am nearly there with your blog posts. I have enjoyed reading.
As I mentioned in a earlier post of yours, not long back, I had not heard of Psychiatric Service Dogs, so I look forward to reading more of this journey.
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May 3, 2019 at 2:23 pm
It will be a slow journey but she is working towards it one step at a time!
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May 3, 2019 at 3:07 pm
I hope it works out all well.
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May 3, 2019 at 12:36 pm
I forgot to answer regarding the impact of pets in me. I have had different pets since a young child and they all played positive in some way in my life. Out of pets I have had, it has been cats more than any other. My last cat, Miley had to be put to sleep over a year ago and played a huge part in my life. I have had affectionate cats, but Miley was really a handful. It was like having a child in the house. She hardly left my side and showered me with love. She was a reason to get up for. I do miss her and I miss having a fur baby of some kind. But not in a situation to have another pet of any kind at the moment. I hope to be in a situation at some point down the line of owning a pet again.
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May 3, 2019 at 2:25 pm
I hope circumstances change for you. Pets are so important in our lives. Thanks for sharing.
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May 3, 2019 at 3:09 pm
Thank you. Yes, pets have played a really big part of my life. They have been a godsend. I hope when circumstances change for me, that at some point in the future I have some kind of pet again. I am looking at either a Syrian hamster, or guinea pigs, when that time comes.
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