Anyone had to spend days alone without anyone to talk to?

[Hanna3]

Hi all, apart from here and a brief visit to church last night (to make it feel Christmassy and to just be with people) I've had day after day for weeks now with nobody at all to talk to. This time of year especially it's really depressing. Old friends that live far away are gradually losing contact with me - I ring them but they don't ring me. I understand they're busy with their live elsewhere but still it's hard when you're lonely. I'm going to a Christmas Eve service at the local church tomorrow night to at least be with people for a little while... but otherwise all day I'm alone, just me and the dog. Sometimes I strike up a conversation on BB but then the other person disappears and that's the end of that...

How are people meant to cope with prolonged periods of social isolation? I read, I watch DVDs, normally I'd go for long walks with the dog but thick smoke from bushfires and intense hot weather have stopped that. I go to a café alone sometimes. Any ideas/help?

[Paw Prints]

Hello Hanna, wave to all,

Ummm raw vegetables won't help Sam's teeth (Woofa also loves his fruit & veg)... as they chew they release the sugars in the food... you can buy either something you can sprinkle on his food which contains a natural tartar, plaque dissolver or you can buy doggie toothpaste (beef/chicken flavour) & apply using a finger toothbrush or a toothbrush shaped for dogs teeth. You could also try the Greenies brand dog dental chews... they are reported to be good as most dogs gnaw at them like at a bone... I don't know as Woofa just crunched a few times & swallowed it when I tried him on them... they do come in different sizes & you can buy them individually if you just want to try one. The vet suggested I start cleaning Woofa's teeth at our last visit, as he is not gnawing his bones as much... I'm still tossing up which option to go with.

I don't know how well they work... but there are pet self heating pads which are designed to radiate the pets own body warmth back at them... maybe have a google & see what's out there. Woofa uses me to snuggle into when he is cold.

It's still very warm & humid here... we are under a thunderstorms warning for this evening...

Hugs

Paws

[Hanna3]

Hi Paws and waves to everyone',

The Greenies have too much fat in them, Sam would get very sick if he ate them... the vet discussed all this with me - the water additives etc cause stomach upset in him - he loves chewing carrots and you can make the gold sweet potato into chew treats, there are several recipes on the internet, I just microwave pieces and they go all nice and chewy...

Sam is so fussy about his beds I decided not to spend the money on a heated bed, they're expensive and I've bought several nice mats/beds he won't lie on... I might try a single electric blanket as long as he can move off it if he gets hot...

Anyway decluttering the wardrobe today and have a couple of bags of clothes to go to the opshop, hooray.

Just home and going to get a hot cuppa! Grandy thanks for your suggestions, Sam doesn't like the smell of a hot water bottle or wheat packs.. gosh he's a fussy little guy.. we've been out and I'm cold now so off to warm up...

Deebi lovely of you to call by, I don't know which your thread is but thanks for calling in.

Hugs all round oxoxoxo

[Ggrand]

Hello Dear Hanna,

Isn’t it funny how our dogs are fussy about different things...I really hope you can work things out about keeping little Sam warm through winter....Please be careful with the electric blanket you get for Sam and to not fold it while it’s on....I have some coats, jackets and even sock/shoes for my 2 but they absolutely hate them...and won’t wear them at all...

I have only vinyl floor tiles in my lounge room and the floor gets so freezing cold...I did have a large rug down once, it’s too hard to keep it fresh smelling and clean from doggie fur etc...

My vet has told me to give my dogs a bone that they can chew on but not eat...to help keep their teeth healthy...but with Sams sore teeth I’m wondering if chewing on a bone would cause him more pain...

My dogs refuse all types of vegetables and fruit...I have tried many times to give them....I’ve given up now...They eat some kibble with vegetables added so I hope that’s enough....

How are you feeling Hanna?....are you still playing your guitar at home sometimes.... 2 of my grandsons have taken up guitar...One is playing lead/rhythm and the other is mainly playing bass and rhythm....mostly they are learning from you tube...

Been cleaning up my front veranda today and potted some mint to place on the veranda somewhere...I do have some basil and coriander growing in pots on my veranda as well...

I hope today was a good day for you dear Hanna and those reading here..

Hugs to everyone, including fur/feathered babies as well..

Grandy....

ps..I hope Deebi doesn’t mind...just in case you want to pop into her thread.....her title is...“Surviving in a better place”

[Ggrand]

Oops...got her thread title wrong...I should have written.....Surviving..being in a better place..

[Hanna3]

Hi Grandy, I only just now saw your post here, so sorry dear lady, I will reply properly tomorrow... hugs.

[Hanna3]

Hi Grandy and Deebi, Paws, everyone

Sam loves his sweet potato, raw beans, apple and carrot! I cook the sweet potato into treats that are nice and chewy. He's brightened up quite a lot now thank goodness.

I am behind with my music practice and I had to cancel a lesson tomorrow as I have an urgent dental appointment... I have my own acoustic guitar now and ordered a nice case from Ebay.. and Sam has a nice heat pad that fits into his bed from Ebay too... so that will help when it gets cold again..

Bought a nice new doona cover on sale half price and it looks lovely on the bed...decluttered the kitchen and have a nice imitation green pot plant on the counter looking nice and fresh.. so the house is coming along..

Got to do some ironing now, then go out with Sam... he just had two pieces of carrot and a sweet potato chew and is looking very pleased with himself..

I am determined to declutter the whole house to make it look calm and soothing - already when I go into the kitchen it looks so nice...

I don't think there were many people here on BB for Katy to talk to... (hello Katy if you are reading!!!) - there was one person I think she liked to chat with who left - so maybe that was partly why she might have left too - and she had finished her Uni.. maybe she wants a good break.

I find it hard here now hardly anyone is talking or doing much - and most things that are happening here for me I don't discuss here.. because they are a bit too personal..

Anyway I hope you have a lovely weekend!!! oxoxoxoxoxo

[Paw Prints]

Hello Hanna,

I hope the dental appointment went well & that you are not too sore...

Having your own guitar at last is wonderful news... what a pity you had to cancel your lesson... though it might have a silver lining (apart from fixing your teeth)... as you might manage to get a bit more practice in before the next one... you seem to have been so busy lately I'm sure your practicing must have slipped a bit... there are only so many hours in a day 😉

It's been a while now since the OT visited... have you had any feedback at all? With the darker days in winter coming fast it would be nice if they could do something to make things easier for you.

How are you going with your eyes?.. have you managed to make any of the coping habits automatic or are you still having to try to remember each time?

I hope Sam loves his new heat pad for you both... it must be hard for you trying to find things he will accept... cheeky little mischief that he is... did you watch the show on the ABC about dogs?... I chuckled at the bit about how dogs have learnt to do 'puppy dog eyes' (& developed the necessary muscles) purely for manipulating humans... I think any dog owner could have told the scientists that without them needing to do a study.

Hugs & belly rubs

Paws

[mmMekitty]

Hello Hannah,

I'm glad I've found your thread here today. I've just been thinking about you & others I don't see around so much now. I have read some of the latest posts here, & see how you are keeping busy, decluttering, caring for Sam, trying to fit in some guitar practice & keeping up all your self-care needs. 😺 All good.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

mmMekitty

[Hanna3]

Hi mmMekitty,

Nice to see you! I have checked from time to time that you are recovering OK... you've been through a lot. I hope you are feeling better in yourself..

During the lockdowns it got too busy here for me to manage - and I am busy here in real life so to speak.. so I haven't been around BB much... just chat with a few people here due to time limits.. I hope you are not getting more rain up in your state, we are having a damp autumn here so far instead of the usual lovely sunny crisp days..

Paws - So far Sam won't use the heat pad, but I am trying to lure him with treats... in time I'm sure he will find the warmth enticing! Very drab and rainy here today.. I've been cooking... I hope it's less miserable where you are! How is Woofa? Are you missing the view of the dam - is he planting anything where it used to be?

I'm going to watch Insiders and I have a sleeping little Sam beside me on the couch, and he has stolen over half of the lovely warm heated throw rug i am using!!!!! Hugs.

[mmMekitty]

Hi Hanna, Funny weather. I guess we'll get some more rain yet this autumn. Not so much, I hope. We had a thunderstorm Friday. Surprising how like an early Summer storm it was. 😸 But okay.

I'm thinking Sam will be happy with the warm bed when Winter comes around. though, from what you wrote, it seems a might chilly already where you are.

I'm doing my best to follow Drs' orders, Physio's orders too, but it feels so slow. I'm trying but I'm not sure i'm doing things right or enough, or is there something not quite right inside... they continue to say things look good.

I am in a little conflict with how I feel about my body. - never an easy relationship, & now I feel so unsymmetrical, I feel misshapen. Of-course much of my clothing doesn't fit on my new shape. My sides are the biggest bother. (It really pays to not have so much body fat when things like this happen).

I'm doing exercises, even adding a little weight, with 1 & 2 kg dumbbells. Using moisturising cream, doing lymph massage (at least I hope I'm doing that right - but I'm not seeing any improvement). Taking hormone blocker too.

As always, I wish you well. with lots of virtual hugs & If you'd like a mmMarshmallow, please, help yourself.... just watch out for my favourite, & tell me if you see it!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

nnNekitty