My Beautiful Huskies Helped Me Overcome Clinical Depression And Get On My Feet Again
I suffer from clinical major depressive disorder as well as clinical anxiety (severe social anxiety, including anxiety attacks), and Ellie & Atlas have truly saved me in so many ways. Their need and want to be outside, explore, work, and play has forced me to be that kind of person, and they’ve helped me discover that it’s exactly what I need to decompress and get myself back together whenever I fall apart.
So many mornings I wake up exhausted, even after a good night’s rest, my body aching, my head clouded. Ellie & Atlas are my purpose to get up every morning, they’re what truly keep me going each & every day no matter how much my body begs me to stay in bed.
But let me start from the beginning, when I met Ellie.
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I suffer from clinical major depressive disorder and clinical anxiety and Ellie & Atlas, my two huskies, have saved me in so many ways
So many mornings I wake up exhausted, even after a good night’s rest, my body aching, my head clouded
Ellie & Atlas are my purpose to get up every morning. But let me start from the beginning, when I met Ellie…
I got Ellie when she was 13 weeks old. Her previous owner had personal circumstances preventing them from being able to care for her
Back then, when I got Ellie, I was severely overweight, and still struggled through dark thoughts almost daily
I knew instantly that she was supposed to be in my life, she was meant to change my life
She was a terror… destructive, independent, and so incredibly stubborn. After days, weeks, months, and YEARS of classes & training, Ellie has turned into the most AMAZING dog & best friend I could ever ask for.
I started walking more, eating better, and realizing how much the outdoors really calmed me. With Ellie’s help, I was able to lose 60 lbs and start achieving dreams I never thought possible
In bringing Atlas home, I realized just how different he was from Ellie. He was laid-back, and so much more interested in what I was doing
His personality taught me how to trust, and how to accept anyone and everyone for who they are
Our true adventures started after Atlas came into my life, when I finally had the confidence to push forward towards my dreams
We climbed our first high peaks a couple of years ago, and are so antsy to continue on through to our goal of climbing all 46 Adirondack High Peaks in NY
In addition, we’ve started bikejoring and mushing together, as well as doing canicross
If they can’t run in the race, they’re ALWAYS on the sidelines cheering me on & giving me more motivation to reach the finish line to get hugs & kisses from them
We began canicross about 5 years ago, and Ellie & Atlas helped me train for the four half marathons I ran last year, as well as the numerous other races I’ve done
Our lives have become full of camping, hiking, high peak hiking, adventuring, mushing, and exploring…
… and I couldn’t imagine it any other way
They’ve pulled me out of so many dark places throughout these last 7 years
They’ve been my shoulder to cry on countless times. Even if I’m just having a bad day, Ellie is right there licking the tears off my face, and Atlas is laying by my side
They’ve been the ones pushing me forward to reach goals
They’ve been the ones encouraging me to find the help I need & BEING the help I need
I constantly wonder where I’d be if I didn’t have them with me…
…or honestly if I’d even still be here
In honor of them I recently got my first tattoo: mountains & trees on my right shoulder
It’s a daily reminder to myself that I’m capable of anything I set my mind to, and it reminds me of all the grand adventures I’ve been on with Ellie & Atlas
I truly worry about the day they aren’t with me anymore…
I chronicle our adventures on Instagram & Facebook through my photography, and use our platforms as a way to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle with your pup, and to help those who also suffer from depression & anxiety, letting them know that it’s 100% ok to admit to needing help and finding the help you need. In finally reaching out for help myself, I know how difficult it can be to even just admit you can’t do this alone. For me, it’s taken two pups, a lifestyle change, and reaching out for additional help to change my life for the better & achieve our dreams as a team.
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Beautiful story. I hope it inspires and gives hope to others. Unconditional love can work miracles :)
Incredible story!! Only dogs can love us more than they love themselves!!
Being a husky owner myself they are the best dogs around. They are so sweet and smart. Glad your two
Thanks so much for reading! They most certainly are such an amazing breed.
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Beautiful dogs. You have found the best therapy for yourself. Love the picture with your tattoo the most. But they are all great.
I am an abuse survivor. I have 4 cats; the oldest of whom is named Iris. Iris is my mental weathervane. When I am feeling extremely down, she will sit by me. I do not have lap cats, they jump on me, give me what they want to give me, take what they need and go and sleep or play. Animals are incredibly therapeutic and I wish you much love with your dogs. Take strength in knowing that they will never judge, they are just there for you. Good luck and take care.
Thank you for sharing this about your cats! My life has become all about them, and I wouldn't have it any other way. We're a great family & team & keep each other going. I love them so much more than words could ever explain. Animals are truly wonderful.
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As for when they are gone, there are dogs who need the things these guy have taught you. Honor them by passing it on.
Atlas and Ellie have given you strength. There are animals who will need that from you.
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I love this my dogs are everything to me! Blessings to you and your babies.
Thank you! Anyone who says a dog is just a dog, has never been truly loved by one. <3
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Thank you for your story. I been through a similar experience with depression and I am still recovering. I love huskies too but haven't really had a chance to get one yet. Great to see yours helped you to get on your feet. Keep going :)
They are so lucky to have you and you are so lucky to have them. A beautiful friendship forever.
I am absolutely so very lucky to have them in my life. Honored, and lucky. <3
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dogs have short life span, what happens when they die? u got 10 times depression?
Trust me when I say I literally almost have an anxiety attack when I think about them not being here. It's going to hurt more than anything in the world to me, and I absolutely worry about myself when that day does come. I do thankfully have a very supportive family, and being open & honest about my struggles has allowed me to just feel more comfortable with the feelings I get, but it'll never be easy to lose a loved one. I do my best to not think about it, and just enjoy every second I have with them now.
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Magnificent photos! For your tattoo would look good if you put your dogs on side of mountains! I am also getting tattoo with my beloved doggies! They mean world to me! 🙂
Aw, thank you! I have them to thank for really allowing myself to open up to photography. I had always had an interest in it, but never really started doing more with it until we started adventuring, and I decided why not start sharing our adventures? Since then, I've taught myself so much & have even started my own photography business which I NEVER anticipated happening. I've found that in addition to adventuring with Ellie & Atlas, photography has also become a huge calming agent for me. I find it so relaxing to be able to see the world from a different perspective, and then the creativity that follows really keeps my mind on track & off the negative things. Just another of the thousands of things I can't thank Ellie & Atlas enough for. ❤️
Load More Replies... The dogs look very happy. If the owner shares the happyness, this sounds like a win-win. Beautiful pictures, too.
Thank you so very much! Their happiness is the most important thing to me... and when they're happy, I'm happy. <3
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Huskies are canine comedians extraordinaire! In addition to being incredibly beautiful, with a bit of patient training on the part of the human they become one of those rare participants in human/dog relationships of complete trust, total love, and tons of entertainment. These dogs are not for everyone: they are definitely special, absolutely have wacky personalities, can be stone-cold stubborn one minute, and ready to play another. Melanie, you are definitely a perfect human to share a life with huskies. Remembering my own long since passed, I wish you many wonderful adventures with your "buddies". And keep that cameral handy. You really captured their beauty and ability to entertain.
Thank you so much! I was most certainly NOT a patient person prior to bringing Ellie into my life... she 100% has taught me that patience creates a much stronger bond. Slowly but surely has been my motto since the very first day. I can't thank them enough for all they've done for me. My daily life revolves around their happiness, but I would never want to change that. I absolutely love the adventures we go on now & how happy they make me with their unique, loving, and goofy personalities. :)
Load More Replies... Beautiful story. I hope it inspires and gives hope to others. Unconditional love can work miracles :)
Incredible story!! Only dogs can love us more than they love themselves!!
Being a husky owner myself they are the best dogs around. They are so sweet and smart. Glad your two
Thanks so much for reading! They most certainly are such an amazing breed.
Load More Replies... Beautiful dogs. You have found the best therapy for yourself. Love the picture with your tattoo the most. But they are all great.
I am an abuse survivor. I have 4 cats; the oldest of whom is named Iris. Iris is my mental weathervane. When I am feeling extremely down, she will sit by me. I do not have lap cats, they jump on me, give me what they want to give me, take what they need and go and sleep or play. Animals are incredibly therapeutic and I wish you much love with your dogs. Take strength in knowing that they will never judge, they are just there for you. Good luck and take care.
Thank you for sharing this about your cats! My life has become all about them, and I wouldn't have it any other way. We're a great family & team & keep each other going. I love them so much more than words could ever explain. Animals are truly wonderful.
Load More Replies... As for when they are gone, there are dogs who need the things these guy have taught you. Honor them by passing it on.
Atlas and Ellie have given you strength. There are animals who will need that from you.
Load More Replies... I love this my dogs are everything to me! Blessings to you and your babies.
Thank you! Anyone who says a dog is just a dog, has never been truly loved by one. <3
Load More Replies... Thank you for your story. I been through a similar experience with depression and I am still recovering. I love huskies too but haven't really had a chance to get one yet. Great to see yours helped you to get on your feet. Keep going :)
They are so lucky to have you and you are so lucky to have them. A beautiful friendship forever.
I am absolutely so very lucky to have them in my life. Honored, and lucky. <3
Load More Replies... dogs have short life span, what happens when they die? u got 10 times depression?
Trust me when I say I literally almost have an anxiety attack when I think about them not being here. It's going to hurt more than anything in the world to me, and I absolutely worry about myself when that day does come. I do thankfully have a very supportive family, and being open & honest about my struggles has allowed me to just feel more comfortable with the feelings I get, but it'll never be easy to lose a loved one. I do my best to not think about it, and just enjoy every second I have with them now.
Load More Replies... Magnificent photos! For your tattoo would look good if you put your dogs on side of mountains! I am also getting tattoo with my beloved doggies! They mean world to me! 🙂
Aw, thank you! I have them to thank for really allowing myself to open up to photography. I had always had an interest in it, but never really started doing more with it until we started adventuring, and I decided why not start sharing our adventures? Since then, I've taught myself so much & have even started my own photography business which I NEVER anticipated happening. I've found that in addition to adventuring with Ellie & Atlas, photography has also become a huge calming agent for me. I find it so relaxing to be able to see the world from a different perspective, and then the creativity that follows really keeps my mind on track & off the negative things. Just another of the thousands of things I can't thank Ellie & Atlas enough for. ❤️
Load More Replies... The dogs look very happy. If the owner shares the happyness, this sounds like a win-win. Beautiful pictures, too.
Thank you so very much! Their happiness is the most important thing to me... and when they're happy, I'm happy. <3
Load More Replies... Huskies are canine comedians extraordinaire! In addition to being incredibly beautiful, with a bit of patient training on the part of the human they become one of those rare participants in human/dog relationships of complete trust, total love, and tons of entertainment. These dogs are not for everyone: they are definitely special, absolutely have wacky personalities, can be stone-cold stubborn one minute, and ready to play another. Melanie, you are definitely a perfect human to share a life with huskies. Remembering my own long since passed, I wish you many wonderful adventures with your "buddies". And keep that cameral handy. You really captured their beauty and ability to entertain.
Thank you so much! I was most certainly NOT a patient person prior to bringing Ellie into my life... she 100% has taught me that patience creates a much stronger bond. Slowly but surely has been my motto since the very first day. I can't thank them enough for all they've done for me. My daily life revolves around their happiness, but I would never want to change that. I absolutely love the adventures we go on now & how happy they make me with their unique, loving, and goofy personalities. :)
Load More Replies...
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