She hasn't had her usual doggie smile, she's been responding rather half-heartedly to our efforts to play with her, she hasn't even been interested in her tug-of-war rope!
We've been terribly worried. Going over our
actions over the past few days. Wondering if we could have inadvertently offended her in some way. But...nothing! We just couldn't figure it out.But today, like sunshine after a gloomy spell, we saw the goofy grin on Lola's face again. After much celebratory back-slapping, we realized...it wasn't just Lola's brilliant smile. There was, in fact, sunshine outside after few rather dull days. And there was Lola, lying blissfully in the warm sun.
And it finally struck us:
Lola had been SAD.
No, not sad, but SAD. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as the Winter Blues, is a type of depression that is probably caused by our body's reaction to lack of sunlight.
This got me thinking about CFS and it's relationship with sunshine. Many studies suggest that natural vitamin D (through sunshine) could improve some CFS symptoms. Spending some time in natural air and sunlight is especially thought to improve the mood (hence Lola's smile).I don't mean to suggest that we should ignore all warnings about melanoma cancers etc being caused by excessive exposure to sunlight, but I do feel that even sitting indoors and looking out at a beautiful sunny day does a lot to raise my spirits.
So maybe we should all take a page from Lola's book and just enjoy nature the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
I totally agree with you. Lola is beautiful, by the way, and I love the first picture of her in the chair!
ReplyDeleteHi, glad Lola is feeling better. Thanks for your comment on my blog. I don't update it very often now but knowing I have a new reader I may just make more of an effort from now on!
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I rly enjoy going through both your blogs - I wish I could do something so creative!
Send Lola to LA. But you... you stay in Foster City :)
ReplyDeleteHriday, you are obviously in love with me - you just can't stay away from my blog can you: :P
ReplyDeleteI say, better your blog than you :)
ReplyDeleteHey thanks for popping by my blog! I'm glad you gave your shelter dog another chance (and another, and another) - you're right, sometimes it just takes time and patience with them. I have found that shelter dogs always seem to end up appreciating the life you've given them so much more than pups bought right from breeders ... it's like they've seen the 'other side' of things.
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to come by regularly and see how things are going with Lola! (I know a GSD who is a Lola) If you want to exchange links let me know and I'll add you to my blogroll.
DogsDeserveFreedom