Domestic happiness

Am settling in well with my 1 year old dog from the animal shelter; Flossy. Have just about mastered toilet training (it's me with any errors, not her), but have a few behavioural issues to get over, such as her barking when I leave her alone and also carrying on when I eat. Am going to the animal trainer today so we'll see how things pan out. 

 Had an interview to be on a committee of mental health consumers who do a monthly review of drug and alcohol services for dual diagnosis people in my region. They said I'll hear from them soon. They said the committee is monitored by the department of Human Services (State govt body) so it has some 'teeth'. Will look good on the resume anyway, if not a learning and contributing experience. 

 Last week I had an interview for a temp job with the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) to be a data collector for the upcoming 6 yearly census. It's more data entry type work, which while not thrilling would help financially. Will hear from them in upcoming weeks hopefully. The job was to be 5 days a week for 5 hours a day, which would be taxing for me as it is an hour-long train trip to the city for me, making it over a 7 hour day. I requested in my interview to hav ea 16 hour week; whether that's possible I don't know. We'll see. 

 Got a referral to a drop in group for psych illness-affected people who do many walking activities, cooking classes, go out for coffees etc. Have had appointment s the past week or so which have precluded me from participating but hope to join in soon and meet some new people. Have been pretty isolated socially for some time now; have been preoccupied with my dog lately but still need some sort of ppl interaction. Otherwise have been relatively content; it makes a big difference not to be stressed out about an unhappy workplace.

Got me a doggett

Last Tuesday I adopted a dog from the pound. She is a 1 year old terrier/spaniel/shi tzu mix; caramel coloured; mischevous as a monkey and totally adorable. I am in love. 

Am still out of work, although have done some training to do public speaking engagements on behalf of the mental illness fellowship about what it's like to have a mental illness. Will be speaking to schools, community groups and university students. I can't make a living out of it, despite being well paid ($32 an hour); i would be doing a 2 hour talk per month max. So the hunt for work goes on. 

 Back to Flossie; yes that's the dog's name. That's what the pound named her and it suits her. Am trying to toilet train her with minor success. She gets separation anxiety; tends to follow me like a shadow, so am trying to restrict her access to certain areas, which is met with much crying and barking (ie: when I leave a room and shut her in). I have a secure backyard but tend to leave her in the laundry if I go out, just for these early stages. She likes to chew sticks and I have visions of her lodging one in the roof of her mouth. I know it sounds worrywart, but she's the 1st dog I've ever owned; I'm on a steep learning curve. 

 The pound offers post-adoptive training for $30 an hour which I think i will need. A downside is that she is a longhaired breed, which will need grooming. I tried brushing her, but have to get her when she's subdued; she tends to want to eat the brush! She had her dewclaws removed, along with being spayed hence is wearing an elizabethan collar to stop her chewing her stitches. Her stitches come out this Thursday. 

 She sleeps on my bed; the only way I manage to fall asleep is by having a few beers prior to bed. She makes sounds when she dreams; muffled 'wuff' and growls softly. Otherwise she nestles into my side. I'm allowing myself to drink temporarily, as I get stressed about having a new creature in my home that I have to supervise and pay attention to. Sounds alien of me to say that when dealing with a cute bundle of fluffy doggie fun, but that's the truth. The 1st day I was very stressed; I wanted a valium. I thought of ringing my Doc to get a PRN of valium, but was afraid he'd say no or (worse) that he'd say having a dog wasn't good for my mental health.