Ima_Grab_Yo_Snatch

I seriously can't talk enough about how much a dog helps. It may not be for everyone but it turned my life around.

I suffer from bipolar disorder and was at a point in my life where I was crippled with anxiety so badly that I didn't want to leave my house. I was smoking over an 8th of weed a day and eating like crazy. Easily the lowest point of my life. I was fat, lazy, and had zero motivation to change.

One day after work I found a pup in an alley. Scrawny, medium sized, white and brown, with a gigantic head. Funny enough, it was Valentine's Day and I was by myself. I saw that there was a vet down the street so I brought him there. They wouldn't take him in but they gave me some food, a bowl, a collar, and a leash and basically told me that he was my problem. I didn't want a dog but I couldn't throw him back outside so we trudged home together in the snow.

I brought him home and immediately wanted to dump him somewhere. I was posting on Craigslist and Facebook trying to find a new owner. I called all of my friends that I thought might be interested and no one wanted this mangy mutt. Taking him outside was a nuisance and I couldn't stand having to walk up and down three flights of stairs a few times a day in the dead of winter. Every time I'd make it inside I'd check my phone and emails, hoping someone had claimed him. While I was checking my emails he'd be in the other room, peeing in my bed or tearing up my boots. Up and down the stairs all winter long.

Soon enough, the snow started to melt and the sun would creep out. Once that happened I'd stand outside a bit longer than normal, feeling the warmth on my face. My dog would meander around the back yard while I spent a few minutes outside of my musty apartment. One day I put my boots in the closet and pulled out some comfortable running shoes I hadn't touched since high school.

My trips to the sidewalk became quick walks around the block. Walks around the block became walks to the dog park. Walks turned to runs. Mornings at the dog park and runs around the neighborhood became weekends at the beach. Before I knew it, this dog had forced me to become active. The more exercise I got the dog, the happier it made him, which indirectly did the same to me.

My confidence got a little boost as I realized that I was taking care of something. Not only was I taking care of something, but I was doing it well. This dog that was infested with fleas and was skin and bones was suddenly strong and filled out. People would comment on how happy and healthy my dog looked. My big, dopey dog has become a talking point to just about random person I'd see. Soon enough I was starting conversations with people that would look my way!

I started to trade numbers with some people at the dog park and we'd meet up at the beach, go to bars. Eventually I met a great girl there. Three years later we're happily living together, have another dog, blah, blah, blah.

My point is, get a dog. It helps force you out of your home and move around. From there things will fall into place. You'll become happier and find a reason to talk to people. But most importantly (for me at least), you'll find something to take pride in.

EDIT: Since people are asking for pictures. Here's my buddy Oskar. The first two are from the day I got him about three years ago. He was covered in fleas and infections and was very underweight. The next two are pictures of him and his newly adopted sister, Karma. The last two are just picture I've taken over the last year that I really like. My girlfriend and I tag them on Instagram as #oskarma if you want to see more photos.

How does it make you feel knowing that your were a bigger influence on my life than my father was?

My friends and I were staying at a home in Nashville for a bachelor party. The owner was coming in to check on us throughout the week (totally understandable). But our third night there we noticed a camera in one of the bedrooms and asked him about it. He said he'd check on it the next day. While we were out getting lunch he stopped by and said there was no camera and he wasn't sure what we were talking about. We went back to the home and sure enough the camera was gone.

We complained to Airbnb and got no response or refund. The big fear that we had was that there were some provocative things happening in that bedroom that we wouldn't like the world to see (remember, bachelor party). If any of those videos were ever to be found somewhere online, do we have a legal leg to stand on in terms of suing the host?

It's ok. You'll learn to Reddit soon enough. Starts with an AMA, end with crippling depression, social anxiety, and 50 extra pounds. You'll figure it out soon enough. Welcome!

I totally understand and agree with you. The biggest think to take into consideration is whether you're financially ready for it. It's definitely a big time and money commitment. For anyone unsure about whether they're ready or not, look into fostering low-maintenance dogs and see if it's something you could handle full-time.