I have a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Topper, who is 8 years old. He has never been particularly affectionate - he'll eagerly jump on the couch (when invited) to have his ears scratched, but he won't stay and snuggle for long, and he hardly ever wants to snuggle on his own, without being invited.
Last spring my 15-yr-old son J started suffering from depression and anxiety. One thing that soothes him and cheers him up is "Topper therapy" - a few minutes of snuggling with the dog. But, as always, it doesn't last long, and Topper goes upstairs and curls up in his favorite chair. But it seemed as though Topper figured out that J needed him - he becamse more affectionate, and started giving J some serious face-baths - especially his ears. That almost always makes J laugh.
A few weeks ago J started having suicidal thoughts. The first time it happened, Topper had just gone upstairs - I could hear him jump into his chair. But he came back to the family room a few minutes later - on his own - and jumped on the couch, snuggled up next to J, and just laid there until the thoughts were gone. Then he moved to the end of the couch and curled up, watching J, as if to say "I'm here if you need me".
Over the next two weeks, I saw him do it a number of times - show up from the opposite end of the house every time J had suicidal thoughts. It's one of the coolest things I've ever seen a dog do.
Last spring my 15-yr-old son J started suffering from depression and anxiety. One thing that soothes him and cheers him up is "Topper therapy" - a few minutes of snuggling with the dog. But, as always, it doesn't last long, and Topper goes upstairs and curls up in his favorite chair. But it seemed as though Topper figured out that J needed him - he becamse more affectionate, and started giving J some serious face-baths - especially his ears. That almost always makes J laugh.
A few weeks ago J started having suicidal thoughts. The first time it happened, Topper had just gone upstairs - I could hear him jump into his chair. But he came back to the family room a few minutes later - on his own - and jumped on the couch, snuggled up next to J, and just laid there until the thoughts were gone. Then he moved to the end of the couch and curled up, watching J, as if to say "I'm here if you need me".
Over the next two weeks, I saw him do it a number of times - show up from the opposite end of the house every time J had suicidal thoughts. It's one of the coolest things I've ever seen a dog do.
