Dog dream no reason to question sanity

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Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: For the first time in my life, I have a dog. I always thought dogs were too much work and needed too much attention.

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Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/08/2018 (2976 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: For the first time in my life, I have a dog. I always thought dogs were too much work and needed too much attention.

This little guy is a rescue dog and he’s now my buddy so I just called him Buddy. I take him everywhere. He’s the life of the party and the park and brings a smile to everyone’s face.

He taught me how easy it was to be happy, and how the simplest things in life can bring you joy.

Recently he came to me in a dream.

He told me he’d had lots of lives as a human being, and he needed a break from all the drama.

He chose to be a dog this time to keep it simple — and it’s the most fun he’s ever had. He said that if everyone could be a dog for a day, the world would be a better place.

The dream felt so real. I felt peace wash over me. When I woke up Buddy was staring at me. What do you think? Do you believe this is possible? Can we reincarnate as dogs, or dogs as humans?

— Crazy or Not, Winnipeg

Dear Crazy or Not: You’re not crazy. Some things we just don’t know the answers to, and we should accept that. Maybe you were mulling over how happy Buddy made you and your mind came up with this explanation.

I don’t know if the dog spoke to you or if your brain created the scene, but I wouldn’t discount its value. When good things that seem magical happen to you, just enjoy them. You don’t have to know the exact truth of everything in this world.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My sister in Ottawa brings negativity to a whole new level.

She has no friends or social life and calls or texts me every day to complain. And yet, she has everything most people strive for — a secure job (that she hates) and benefits. She was married once but has no kids. She’s close to retirement but I can’t imagine it’s going to get any better. I told her to go see a shrink, but she’s convinced they’re “all idiots.” She cuts down any suggestion I make.

Now it has taken a turn for the worse. I’m literally having panic attacks when I look at her texts. I want to help, but feel powerless. She’s my only sibling and I fear she’ll kill herself if I stop communicating with her. What do I do?

— Feeling Responsible and Freaking Out, Winnipeg

Dear Freaking: She’s so ill, she’s using you as a daily dumping ground — and she doesn’t care how it affects you. It’s one thing to call once in a while to vent, but she’s calling you every day to shower dark and frightening negativity on your head. All she can feel are her own emotions — hatred, anger, pain and depression.

Send her a text telling her you can’t accept any more of her negativity as it is causing you panic attacks.

Tell her she needs to see a psychiatrist to help work out her problems and prescribe medication.

If she chooses not to take your advice, block her texts, even if it scares you.

Tell her that anything she needs to tell you will have to be funnelled through someone else in the family, like one of your parents.

If she decides she can’t take living anymore, that will be her decision.

You can’t keep carrying her on your back, as that back is starting to break.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave. Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6

Miss Lonelyhearts

Miss Lonelyhearts
Advice Columnist

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