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Empathic or just Moody?

1PhoenixRising1
1PhoenixRising1
I just wrote this message and lost my connection and it was deleted....so I'm thrilled to write this again...

A fb friend of my husband's from school, who I really don't know, had been posting pics of his dogs...he does all the time and lately in particular this one puppy named Loki. Well this morning the puppy was bitten on the head and it swelled, he took him to the vet and there was nothing he could do. The puppy died on the way home..

I use to want one of these dogs when I was a kid. I thiink its a huskey...I use to call them wolf dogs, sled dogs..I always thought they were beautiful dogs.

I can not get this off of my mind today, and have several bouts of crying over this puppy. This isn't like me when it comes to pets I've never really seen or met. I seen a few photos...commented..thats cute on one...

I have had empathic experiences where I have taken on the emotions of other people or knew what was going on with a person. To some that sounds nuts but some of you know exactly what I mean.
I love animals. I have many pets of my own and believe a person can connect with their pets in a way so that you can know what they are needing/feeling.

Last week an old friend of mine lost her dog to another dog. I gave her my sympathies and went on....no tears no intrusive thoughts about it. Today, I can't get this off my mind. Am I just moody and extra sensitive today or what? I never learned how to deal with other people's emotions, I have enough problems with my own. Anyone get what I'm talking about?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I understand completely even if others don't get it. You are accepting some of the pain of another who cannot bear the full burden...call me a loon but I take other's pain sometimes too It's part of our interconnectiveness with the whole.

Just shake it off into the ground...through the floor even...the earth can handle it and so can you.

Peace
CarlaBent
CarlaBent
For me, it makes it a tad sadder when it happens to a 'puppy' or any kind of baby animal.

And you've seen more pictures of this Loki and are aware that your husband's friend seemed particularly fond of this puppy.

The circumstances surrounding the puppy's death make it difficult to deal with, too.

Factor in that this is a breed of dog that you wanted when you were a kid and I can see why this instance might hit you a bit harder than the other instance.

Just the fact that this is the second sad situation of this sort that you've learned of in such a short space of time might make it tougher, too.

You may be feeling grief for the combination of both deaths.

Yes. I feel really, really sad when I know that someone else is feeling terrible about something.
I wish with all my heart that they weren't.

Sorry you're feeling this way. It seems pretty appropriate, though.
1PhoenixRising1
1PhoenixRising1
Thanks guys...my husband just got home and I told him. He thinks because it was a puppy...and it happened suddenly that it reminds me of my ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage I had...which is a possibility. It may be more self centered after all...or a combination of knowing loss and taking it on as my own as well.

I wish i knew more about empathy...how to handle it.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Your husband knows you better than you may know yourself...which can be a wonderous thing...however when you find the time give this a read and look further into that thing that we all have and are a part of...to varying degrees.

Hope it helps you.

http://www.psychicbutsane.com/empathy/is-overactive-empathy-ruining-your-life
1PhoenixRising1
1PhoenixRising1
fdlstx...thanks for the link..I started to read the first page and...exactly what i need. I bookmarked it so I can read later..I've got a test monday i need to study for.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Just happy to be of some small service...but really I give all the credit to google. [;o)>
Cammiecat
Cammiecat
I too, know exactly what you are talking about. I am one of those people that I call emotional sponges. We actually feel the emotions of others around us. We receive their energy, good or bad, happy or sad, and feel it as if it were our own. I've always found it a terrible burden and have had to take steps to try to focus the emotions down to one or two people and myself. Otherwise it gets to be too much.
GinaWonders
GinaWonders
I have a bad habit of not crying for myself - but let me watch the last five minutes of a show, and cry for an hour the character died!

A Book, a song, move or good commercial - and those misspent tears can fall...

yes, I know exactly what your talking about : )
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hey Phonix- I too have this problem (it also made being a nurse that much more difficult). That link that someone gave you seems very interesting, I bookmarked it too and will look into it. My husband keeps me in check when I am over doing it with other people (he tells me, not your problem Maria-or there is nothing that you can do about it). So, I am glad I have him to tell me that my feelings are getting the best of me. Good luck to you in controlling yours!
Cammiecat
Cammiecat
Very interesting article that was linked in this thread. I've only read the first part but it already rings true to my life.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm not ashamed to say that I often get a little verklempt over the most trivial of things as well as the more profound...scenes in a movie, music, heartfelt expressions of emotions...whether in the streets or here on the boards.

I get all teary eyed and sometimes have to catch my breath...maybe a little blubbering...just never been able to completely let it go into a full cathartic release.