Gralyn J. Photography

To the person with the abused dog; I see you. I’m not judging you. You’re being so kind and other people are looking at you so strangely, commenting on how the dog is terrified ‘of you’. I’ve heard your story, I’ve heard her story. I know her previous owner beat her, and you’re trying so hard to help. You’re trying to get her to sit with a hand signal and she is panicking, but she will understand. I promise she will see the love you’re offering her. She already trusts you so much more than her previous person. Keep going. Keep being kind. Keep loving her as much as you do. Ignore others who jump to conclusions. They don’t know. From the Mom of a rescue dog.

For my Brother... Who I could never explain this feeling to, I hope this helps, and I hope you never feel this way.     Three months ago I struggled with migraines, chest pains and paranoia. I couldn't explain my feelings and everything hurt. I kept my anxiety/depression off of social media for years because it wasn't real to me. It was all in my head and people who had these things were weird and seeking attention.  Now that I am finally getting a handle on it I think it's time to share what it's actually about. (This leaves out bullying (School and religious groups), and work factors that contributed) When I was 11 I started to get chest pains, I had insomnia and random panic attacks about my family being killed or not coming back to my brother and I. Anxiety had worked it's way into my life in a very real way and was taking over my thoughts and my life. I stopped going to birthdays, social events and some days even school. For a few years after movin...