I have a suggestion for anybody out there who is in despair...

[Virginia Dare]

and is contemplating suicide and/or murder.

You know sometimes, everybody feels the walls caving in around them. You feel like nobody loves or cares about you. You feel like nothing you can do would make it better. I've felt that way.

I think if I ever got to the point where I just couldn't take it anymore, instead of climbing the Texas Tower, here's what I'd do:

I'd go down to the local animal shelter and I'd save a critter from death row. I'd bring them home, I'd give them a soft place to lay, and something good to eat. I'd get down on the floor with them and I'd pet them and hold them. If it's a dog, I'd take them for a nice walk in the woods somewhere. If it's a cat, I'd spend some time looking out at the world with them, experiencing it through their eyes.

If you ever want to experience unconditional love, acceptance and a feeling of being needed, that is it.

Life isn't all about the material things. Life isn't all about popularity or fame. There's lots of ways you can GIVE back to society, and you will receive it in turn TEN FOLD.

Think about it.

[CrispyQ]

1. My pound pup has brought me joy I could never find in any store!

K&R for a beautiful suggestion!

[BOSSHOG]

2. Very nice thought My Dear

I go to the SPCA a couple of times a month. (I'm not nor have I ever contemplated suicide) but the puppies just pick you up if just for a short while. Ours has about an 8 to 1 ratio of dogs to cats. I had to work a few suicide cases in the Navy. Not a very pleasant experience for a whole lot of people.

[thereismore]

3. I think that's a great advice. Some people though don't have a home to take the critter to... nt

[Virginia Dare]

6. I've seen homeless people with critters...

matter of fact, I fostered a pup who was rescued from a guy who was living in a pick-up truck. He wasn't eating so that he could feed her, so he had to give her up. She had bone spurs in her tail from being couped up in the truck so much. It was heartbreaking, he loved that dog so much.

I've heard of cases where homeless people adopt squirrels, rats, all kinds of critters.

[atreides1]

4. Thank you

Our dog helped me to keep my perspective when my wife was deployed, if it wasn't for her there probably would have been two less teenagers in the world.

Fortunately for them our dog reminded me of those three things you described, the teenagers are grown and have children of their own, and our dog is the only child we have in the house, but at the end of the day my wife and I come home to a member of our family,
not just a pet.

[dysfunctional press]

5. it did wonders for bill frist...

whenever he had anxiety over an anatomy test in med school, he'd adopt a cute little cuddly ball of fur to help him...:study: :evilfrown:

[Virginia Dare]

7. He's the epitome of a psychopath...n/t

[elehhhhna]

9. don't forget Judy 9u11iani !!11!11

[JDPriestly]

8. Excellent idea!

And, if you get a dog, be sure to walk him/her every day.

[1620rock]

13. I have been adopting rescue cats for 40 years. We currently have

eight. If it were not for the unconditional love of these wonderful companions over the years I doubt that I would be here today. Here is Wren.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>

[emilyg]

24. So have I. They bring great joy.

[porphyrian]

10. Suicidal people are often beyond reasoning with like that. They wouldn't care.

Depression needs to be detected and treated before it gets to this.

[mdmc]

11. But if your homeless, without two pennys to rub together, adopting

a pet would be a disaster.

It is very hard to empathize with a suicidal person. Is there anything that would push you over the edge?

[Virginia Dare]

18. I can empathize with someone who is suicidal..

a lot easier than somebody who is homicidal. Just because you can't find a reason to live doesn't mean you have to take people out with you who might have many things to live for.

I do realize that clinical depression is something that is something that is very difficult to overcome though.

I just think that as a society we need to find meaning in life from things other than bling and bang.

[mdmc]

27. I once went on a weekend ski trip with a bunch of young dudes

They were all making fun of this one kid. THis kid was somehow related to one of these guys and the family insisted that he come along on this ski trip.
It was New Years eve and we be skiing for 3 days.
They made fun of him all weekend long. Occasionally I would stop them, but I was doing my own thing and wasn't always there to stop these bullies.
Anyway, this kid killed himself about two months later. He had no friends and all the neighborhood kids always bullied and made fun of him.
I remember at the funeral asking the bullies (they were all neighborhood kids, one was the kid's cousin) why this kid didn't kill them first before taking his own life.

They all agreed that if it were them, they would have killed all the bullies tormenting them before they took their own lives.

They were all too cool and really had no regrets, even at this kids funeral.

I often wonder why this kid didn't off them before offing himself:shrug:

[mdmc]

28. kick

[Beelzebud]

12. Very nice sentiment. I've been there myself.

It's amazing what a Cocker Spaniel can do for your piece of mind. :)

[Midlodemocrat]

14. I have a suggestion along those lines for folks who can't adopt a pet.

Go over to your local elementary or middle school and ask to become a volunteer in the special education classroom.

NO ONE ever volunteers in those classes. I guarantee you won't regret it. I've been doing it for over 10 years and I get more out of it than the kids do, that's for sure.

My friend and I host monthly themed parties for the class at the Middle School. We bring them treats, a snack, and play games. It's the most rewarding kind of volunteering anyone can do.

JMHO.

[Beelzebud]

15. Thats awesome that you do that. Those kids need good support!

:)

[Midlodemocrat]

17. Oh, believe me. I get way more out of it.

They hug, they're thrilled to see us. It's so heartwarming it moves me to tears.

[renate]

23. I've read that the one thing that can save a kid with a difficult life...

... is a single caring adult who was there for them.

Just one.

I mean, ideally there'd be more than one, of course. But the presence of just one adult mentor can get kids through a difficult childhood.

I don't know whether the special ed kids you spend your time with are in loving homes or not, since in our district the kids in "special ed" are not just those with disabilities but also those with anger management problems and so on. But if any of them are without a caring adult at home, you are making SUCH a difference in their lives. (As you know far better than I do... I just wanted to applaud what you do because there's so much research showing that being cared about by just one adult mentor can change the entire course of a kid's life.)

:applause:

[zippy890]

16. have you ever been severely depressed?

sorry, no amount of cuddly puppies is going to do anything.

[Virginia Dare]

19. Agreed...

the clinically depressed need professional help, no doubt.

[Tesha]

20. Most animal shelters would be a *VERY BAD PLACE* for a depressed person.

There are far more animals left for adoption than can be placed,
so you will get to participate in the euthanizing of many many
small, cuddly creatures.

This is another consequence of our "throwaway, don't care"
society. Another litter of kittens/puppies? So frickin what!
Spaying costs money! Let the liberals deal with it...

Tesha

[Wcross]

21. Despite what the voices in my head are telling me- I can't act on them.

I have to make sure these guys are fed & loved!


Moe, Curly & Larry.


Lucy, the newest addition.

Somehow these guys make everything else in life trivial. I think you are on to something Virginia Dare!

[renate]

22. Wow... those dogs are SERIOUSLY cute!

Just look at those sweet little faces!

:loveya:

[here_is_to_hope]

25. Well that explains all of these

fucking cats I have....:evilgrin: :evilgrin: :evilgrin:

[ehrnst]

26. ITA! My two rescue furkids have changed my life

And paved the way for me to be a parent. They've inspired me to help those that cannot speak for themselves, animal or human.