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Dr. Joyce Brothers is syndicated in more than 175 newspapers. She is perhaps the world's most popular psychologist.
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Read more about Dr. Joyce Brothers.
Dr. Joyce Brothers is syndicated in more than 175 newspapers. She is perhaps the world's most popular psychologist.
Brothers provides ...
Read more about Dr. Joyce Brothers.
She Is Afraid Of Roaming Packs Of Dogs; She Wonders If Pill Use For Stress Is Wrong
Dr. Joyce Brothers
Dear Dr. Brothers: A few weeks ago, there was a horrible event in our
community: An elderly couple was attacked by a band of feral dogs.
Ever since then, I have been afraid to walk down our long driveway to
get the mail, or to do anything in this rural area that involves being
away from my home. I don't want to have to give up walking, biking and
getting the mail! What should I do to keep from imagining packs of
dogs at my heels? It's a rural area and pretty wild. -- F.F.
Dear F.F.: A lot of dogs are unowned in the rural areas of our country, so it's not always possible to talk to the neighbors and ask them to keep their dogs confined. When the dogs are stray or feral, they are not predictable or safe to approach, and are usually hungry and scared of humans. This is not a good combination for anyone who has to try to make his or her way home safely should his or her path cross that of a pack of dogs. Even a single dog can kill a human, as I'm sure you know.
But there is no reason for you to cower at home. A few precautions are in order, though. I would first talk to law-enforcement or animal-control officials -- if there are any. You want to get an idea of the extent of the problem in your particular area. It could be that there are fewer stray dogs than you imagine. Why not start a drive to have the animals spayed and neutered, or to have laws put in place to keep animals in their yards? The tragedy probably will have spurred others to do that, and you could join in and become more empowered to help solve the problem. Walk or bike with some animal repellent, and learn the rules of not provoking an animal to attack. This involves standing still, not making eye contact and not running away, among other tips. Soon you will feel comfortable enough to pick up the mail again, and you will have taken steps to lessen the problem in your neighborhood.
Dear Dr. Brothers: About a month ago, there was a horrible accident in which a mother was driving drunk and stoned. She killed a whole bunch of children and adults in another car. Ever since then, I have been reading all the blogs and news story comments online, and it seems there is nothing worse than a driver who drinks and endangers children. I mean, people are glad she is dead! I sometimes take a few tranquilizers when my kids are driving me nuts. Am I a terrible person? -- D.H.
Dear D.H.: I think that you are waking up for the first time to the consequences that can come if you are more interested in numbing yourself to stress than in ensuring the safety of the children who are your responsibility. Sometimes it does take a terrible accident for us to look at our own behavior and question what we are doing. So I am glad you have been able to relate the lessons of this accident to your own life, and not sit in judgment of the driver, as some of the people who made comments on the Internet must be doing. Now is a good time to examine exactly what you are doing, and change it if necessary.
You shouldn't be driving or even taking care of young children if you are under the influence of "a few" tranquilizers. If your kids really do drive you crazy, that is not an excuse to pop a few pills -- it is a wake-up call for you to change the things you are doing as a mother and as someone who should be guiding and directing your children's activities. Work on having some structured time, paying attention to the relationships in your children's world and taking note of each of their interests and talents. If you need to hire a baby sitter to get some free time, do so. And see your doctor about what medication might be appropriate for you on an ongoing basis to maintain a pleasant mood, to replace your pill-popping habits.
(c) 2009 by King Features Syndicate
Copyright: (c) 2009 by King Features Syndicate
This news arrived on: 11/07/2009
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Posted Comments:
11-07-2009 15:42
East of Eden wrote:
Drugged Mom
Holey smokes. Taking care of children while under the influence? That woman needs to either get off the drugs, learn to deal with her kids or lose them. Wow - scary stuff. Obviously, this person (could be a father, you know) was not cut out to be a parent. Given the way this person expressed him or herself, he or she sounds somewhat immature or limited. I hope somebody who knows this parent does something to protect the children.
11-07-2009 14:41
guest wrote:
roaming packs of dogs and Tranquilizer Mom
How about when you go outside, you take a can of pepper spray? It can be used against potential human attackers as well. Take a class in how to use it.
***
As for Tranquilizer Mom, obviously her doctor prescribed them so it would probably be in vain to get the doctor to prescribe something "steady" to replace Tranquilizer Mom's "pill-popping" habits. And as to why this dame has kids, who knows? The world is a pretty messed up place because of people like her having children they shouldn't and I don't see it changing anytime soon.
***
As for Tranquilizer Mom, obviously her doctor prescribed them so it would probably be in vain to get the doctor to prescribe something "steady" to replace Tranquilizer Mom's "pill-popping" habits. And as to why this dame has kids, who knows? The world is a pretty messed up place because of people like her having children they shouldn't and I don't see it changing anytime soon.
11-07-2009 12:49
ellen wrote:
roaming packs of dogs
A lot of people who no longer want their dogs drive them out into the country and dump them. Those people apparently assume that the dogs will either survive on their own or be adopted by the people who live in the area. Dumping dogs is both illegal and cruel, but it is an easy crime to get away with. It will take more than a spay/neuter campaign or a fence-your-dog campaign to deal with it.
11-07-2009 09:11
Jackie wrote:
DRUG ADDICT...
This broad belongs in an institution. Her kids need to go to foster care. She is a menace to them. She would rather be stoned, instead of just taking care of the brats. Why would she even have HAD THEM? Ever hear of birth control? Abortion? They would be better off with a SOBER person. This hag belongs in a NUT WARD!
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