Why am i feeling this way?

[Whyamifeelingthisway]

I recently started feeling really down when my fiance and I got a puppy. It had been just over two weeks now and im starting to feel lost and unhappy. Ive wanted to return the dog but my fiance has made it clear that he won't get rid of him as he doesn't believe a dog can make me feel this way. We live in an apartment in the city and im feeling very claustrophobic and hate that i cant get down time without a reminder of the dog every minute. .my partner works long hours and it has made me feel more lonely. Im just feeling very unfulfilled with my life and now questioning everything. Even a potential career change as nothing seems to excite me anymore. Im just sick of feeling this way and no idea why a puppy has caused this to happen to me.

[kanga_brumby]

Whyamifeelingthisway Welcome to beyond blue forums an interesting poser you have placed before us here. Like your partner I cannot work out why you would feel more lonely with a dog for a companion but then again I am not you. As we are all different. The way I see it you need human contact during the day when your partner is at work. As a suggestion try getting a job even if it is a voluntary position. Try hanging out at the local library and striking up a friendship with some people in there and start your own book club. Every one gets to read various books and give a brief description on what the book was about. and was it worth reading. A cheep way of having a get together. Most libraries have a meeting room cheep rent on it with coffee making facilities just bring your own coffee tea and milk bickies tim tams optional. scones if you have them. Or do the same thing in a neighborhood house or set up a gardening club. Believe it or not there are people about who have set up small gardens in window boxes with herbs in the window boxes or flowers which gives them something to do and learn. Your local men's shed could help build the window box which you would have to pay for usually cost price plus 25% or try getting it from a hardware store or nursery. I am not going to say where because there could be better else where. Kanga

[Birdy77]

Hello Whyamifeelingthisway,

I am glad you have reached out for some support when you're feeling lonely and confused about your feelings.

Puppies are very demanding of your time and energy. They require a lot of discipline and devotion, and although they bring a whole lot of love and joy into our lives, they can be extremely frustrating as well.

It sounds like you are essentially doing a lot of the puppy-rearing on your own, because your partner works long hours.

If these are the feelings you are experiencing (I might be off point here), your partner may understand better if you explain the parenting responsibilities seem like they're falling mostly on you?

I wonder if sometimes we can get the puppy-Blues, a furry version of the baby-Blues? I think it's possible.

Being in an apartment would be difficult as well, as he's always under your feet.

Do you have a playpen for him to be in, just to give you some time out after work, once he's been exercised, fed etc? This would be a good way for you to have some space of your own while he sits in there chewing on a Kong or something.

I don't think your feelings are silly at all, please feel welcome to come back and chat some more, there are lots of doggy people here who understand.

🌻birdy