I have written a lot about the positive influence of creativity and clay on my mental heath, but I never addressed the crucial role our sweet and lovely Camilla, our beagle, has had in my recovery from depression years ago.
Our kids had asked for a dog for many years before that but we never wanted to take a pet in to subsequently leave it at home alone while my husband and I were off the whole day to work and the kids were at school.
However, while I stayed at home alone with my antidepressants, my husband decided that I needed some company and distraction in the form of a puppy đś.
I will never forget when we met her. She was allowed in to meet us in a room together with another couple of puppies. She was the puppy that immediately came to me and wouldnât leave me alone. She was love at first sight â¤ď¸ an we brought her home.
We spent long days together on the couch, walking and playing. Sheâs been a lovely company even during the days she was up to no good in her puppy moods, running off, pooing aand peeing in the house, digging holes in the garden. The only moment of crisis we had was when she killed our bunny on one of the first days I was back at work.
She is still a very effective antidepressant even now that I am off the chemical stuff since a very long time now. What is better than having a happy doggie greeting you when you wake up, or a wiggling tail when you have been away on an errand for half a day, or an enthousiast doggy dribbling around you with a plea for cuddles when youâve been out of the room for half a second?!
She looks for my company and comes looking for me, defends me when strangers enter the house and watches over me when I am down. Walking the dog is also great for the mind. You get your exercise and are around in nature.
Sheâs great company and integral part of the family. She is the first one being greeted in the morning or when returning home and the last one before going to sleep or before leaving the house. The love of a doggie is unconditional and absolute and we are blessed to have her â¤ď¸.
My name is Elisa; I am a woman, a mum, a daughter, a friend and a wife⌠and a passionate ceramicist/potter. 
