Tucker, our Booger Fish

First off, thanks to all my readers for what I consider a successful first post. I was touched by the interest in my blog. I was not expecting it. I hope you all continue this journey with me.

I've decided that in order to know me a little better, you should all meet my booger-fish. My husband and I adopted a dog named Tucker one week and one day after our marriage. Tucker is anything but boring. He's the epitome of the word  bonkers. As he is my baby, he will most likely show up in many of my posts. 

According to his records, he is a Shih Tzu Poodle (Shih-Poo) mix with a large black spot on his back. My husband and I feel he is more like a Havanese since he portrays traits and characteristics associated with that breed. We termed him booger-fish shortly after he came to live with us. I don't remember the particulars as to how we came up with that name, but I'm sure it had to do with his mischievous ways.

Tucker loves his kong cozy's (an awesome toy if you own a big chewer). They have a squeaker in them which he thinks its fun to squeak until one of us steals it and throws it down the hallway. He also enjoys playing outside, especially when he gets to chase rabbits (though he isn't always good at spotting them). He enjoys sitting upon the highest point in the house whether its atop our bed or atop the back of the couch. But his favorite past time would be licking our feet, therefore, we warn all guest that unless they want a foot bath they should wear either A) socks or B) shoes.

On the random occasion that I give Tucker a bath, he begins to race around the couches bounding from couch to couch to fireplace in a fast pace race. He does this in attempts to avoid the terrible evil brush. Another strange quirk that belongs to our booger fish is the way he gets our attention. He does this in one of two ways: 1) He barks at us and pushes his back paws behind him or 2) He jumps on top of us from the top of the couch. I think he waits until I'm perfectly comfortable laying on the couch before bounding on top of my stomach. We love Tucker and wouldn't trade him for anything.

Through my experiences at work one of the things that our patient's talk about the most are their pets. I love to hear their stories about what kind of animals they own, their names, and how special the animals are to them. I remember one patient talk about how her dogs were what got her through the toughest times of her mental illness. There is something special about animal companionship. Tucker has gotten me through a lot of tough times, and I don't know what I would do without him.

If you own a pet, I hope you take a minute and give it a big hug and show how special it is to you. Until next time!

The Beginning of a New Journey

After giving it much thought I have finally decided to start my own blog. I am not by any means a writer or a poet but I do have my own thoughts and beliefs and have decided to share them with the world. I'm starting this blog on a sort of trial. For the next 3 months, I'm going to attempt to post on a weekly basis. Hopefully, I can keep up with it and not neglect it like I have done to several blog attempts in the past. If at the end of the three months, I feel that I have touched someone's life or entertained them I will continue this journey of bloghood.

My name is Julie, and I'm a Christian as well as a PRN (as needed) Social Worker for a mental health hospital. Due to the nature of my work I cannot share anything personal about our patients but I hope to share some of the lessons I have learned over the past 2 years. I also intend to share my personal thoughts and beliefs as a Christian on several Hot Topics that our world deals with in this day-in-age. My personal thoughts and beliefs are just that...personal, and therefore, do not necessarily reflect those of my religion or my employers. It is not my intent to offend anyone in these posts. If I do accidentally offend someone, please let me know so that I might make amends and explain myself more fully.

Let it Begin...

Today, I was off work and decided to watch one of my favorite period dramas, North and South. Now, this isn't the long miniseries about the civil war. Instead, North and South is a movie based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell. It speaks of the harsh world of the North of England brought on by the industrial revolution. The heroine of this novel/movie is Miss Margaret Hale who is from the tranquil and rural south. You learn in the movie that the ways of the South are very different from the ways of the North. As you watch the movie, Margaret overcomes her prejudice of the North and grows to love its people and their way of life. In a way, I can relate to Miss Hale as I to had to overcome my prejudices for a different kind of people.

When I was in college, I told myself multiple times that I would never work in the mental health field. In truth, I was terrified of them...of the unknown. After graduating from college, I discovered that looking for a job was much more difficult than I originally thought. So when the first true job opportunity came to light I snatched it up. The job was working as a PRN Social Worker for the very people I was scared of. It didn't take long for me to realize that I was very wrong in my prejudices against those with mental illnesses. In truth, I have come to love them and to respect them as a people who are faced with much adversity and prejudice.
It has been an incredible journey and one I would repeat a thousand times.

Over the past 2 years, I have discovered a serious problem among the citizens of this country. The problem is the serious lack of understanding of mental illness. Now, I understand that there are those who do understand mental illnesses whether by personal means or social means; therefore, I urge those of you to spread your knowledge and to lead by example. For those of you who have very little knowledge of mental illnesses such as Bipolar and Schizophrenia, I implore you to do the research and learn more about these mental illnesses.

When I was in college, I thought those who suffered from Schizophrenia were violent and chaotic when in truth many of them are no different than you or I. My experiences through work have opened my eyes to the level of prejudice they experience; therefore, I implore you to watch what you say towards and about those with mental illnesses. Remember they have feelings like you and I.

If you suffer from a mental illness, know that I hold a deep respect for you but do not allow this illness to beat you down. Make the best of what God has given you and persevere through all trials and tribulations. Know when you have reached your limits and when to ask for help. In the words of Commander Peter Quincy Taggert, "Never Give Up, Never Surrender!"

Sincerely,
A Christian Social Worker