This morning I recd an email that said I have the program now and how to get started. I have not recd the program yet. It has yet to arrive. But I'll go ahead and post a message anyway. The mechanics of this online posting are somewhat unclear. I have no idea if this is going to the right place.

I ordered the program on 12/23, right after I became anxious about having to take my dog to the vet. I experience a good bit of my anxiety over worrying about my dog, and I know in my head it's irrational, but I do this nonetheless. He is getting older, and every day I dread the day when he passes on. He's also a giant breed, so everything associated with his care is more difficult. Instead of enjoying the days and weeks we have, I worry about the day he'll be gone. Why? I also have a difficult time doing anything away from home. After about 1 hour, all I can think about is retreating back to my house.

Okay, I don't know what the limit here is, so I'm going to send this and see what happens.

I just received my program. Hopefully you will get yours soon. I just wanted to encourage you by letting you know that you did sign in at the right place.

I'm not an expert on dogs but from what I can tell, dogs live very much in the present. They don't dwell on the past and they don't worry too much about the future. There's a lot we can learn from them. I think you got it right when you wrote about enjoying the days and weeks you have. A wise person once told me, "Be here now." In other words, be present in the moment. I believe you will be your best for your dog this way.

I can totally relate to your anxiety about your dog. My anxiety was actually triggered when my husband and I adopted a puppy about 5 months ago. I'm sure it was the puppy along with my being right in the middle of grad school, but I worried so much about that dog. If she was alright, was I giving her enough attention, did she feel loved. I was gone a large part of the day and felt so guilty about leaving her at home in a small gated area. We got her when she was 8 weeks and then kept her about 8 weeks before we found her a new home. I just could not get rid of the anxiety and felt as if my life had fallen into shambles. It makes me so scared of having kids...thinking I may be overly anxious about them constantly.

I don't think you are silly at all. Just work through program and love your dog right now as he is. I am sure you take good care of him and that his life is better because of you! Hang in there. There is certainly hope for overcoming this!

linda I do the same thing I had two cats one was 18 years old he was the best cat he was my daughters she got married 7 years ago and he stayed with us because her husband had a dog and this cat hated dogs he started losing weight and we started worring about him he kept eating but one day he did't act well long story short he was in renal failure died one nite I was afaid I would have to put him to sleep so it was a blessing we greived we still do it will be 2yrs this feb 14 valentines day now i have a dog that came here the year my daughter got married and she has been sick and i worry about her dying my daughter says mom dont that just pray and beleive God now my daughter is pregant and this is another chapter we get thru things better then we think i wish we could stay in the present moment that is what the program teaches and God teaches that also when we worry we lose the present i need to heed my advice really try start this new year out right