Joanne had suffered from clinical depression off and on for 20 years, and had two breakdowns, but managed to keep this hidden from most people, climbing the career ladder and running her own business. However, behind the scenes she had to deal with debilitating bouts of clinical depression which blighted her life. In January 2012, after suffering another bout of depression, she decided there had to be another way to deal with this rather than the usual route of medication and traditional therapy.
It was her husband, Trevor Morley, who suggested getting a dog, as he had heard that dogs could be great therapy for their owners. So two days later on 25th February 2012, Alfie the 5 month old white Miniature Schnauzer, joined Joanne, for what was to be a relationship that would transform her life.
Joanne walked Alfie each and every day, sometimes for miles, and as she walked she began to feel a connection with the world and nature that hadnâ??t been there before. The more she walked the better she felt, and on her walks she was able to zone out many of the dark thoughts which were in her mind each and every day. â??It was like I was meditating as I walked, I just didnâ??t feel the mental pain that I had experienced for years, slowly but surely I began to feel happier, just a little bit day by dayâ? said Joanne.
Alfie also introduced Joanne to having fun, to running in the woods, splashing in puddles and paddling in streams, and so by playing and running around, he taught her how to put a smile on her face again. â??Alfie triggered something in me that I lost long ago, that sense of happiness from within, and he taught me just to be and release all the fears and darkness that were inside of meâ? said Joanne.
Alfie the dog gave Joanne her life back, one without misery and mental pain; they have created such a bond that itâ??s impossible for her to imagine life without him now. She has worked hard on her recovery and in addition to walking Alfie, she has discovered meditation which has helped her immensely as well as practicing yoga on a daily basis to help her body and mind come into balance.
You can read all about Joanneâ??s transformation and what she learned about herself and life in â??My Walks with Alfieâ?, a book full of hope and happiness that shows the reader they can recover from depression, exhaustion or anxiety, should they choose to do so. Her book â??My Walks with Alfieâ? can be purchased on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle versions.Â
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