Harold Reynolds is an skilled hiker that fell right into a darkish place after finishing a brutal hike. Post-hiking melancholy is widespread amongst avid hikers, however Reynolds discovered aid via the love of a devoted pup.
Harold Reynolds has by no means shied away from an journey. He has all the time liked to spend time within the nice open air, particularly when these environments problem him. He all the time wished to place his physique to the check, so he determined to deal with a ‘flip flop’ hike alongside the Appalachian Trail.
The Appalachian Trail runs from Georgia to Maine, however there are a selection of trails a hiker can comply with. The ‘flip flop’ hike of Harold’s selection concerned beginning within the heart of the path and tackling one facet, solely to come back again to the middle and full the second half at a later date.
Harold accomplished the primary half in simply round three months and determined to come back dwelling and relaxation earlier than tackling the opposite half. Soon after Harold made his approach dwelling from the Appalachian Trail, he skilled the impression of post-hike melancholy.
Harold describes the sensation as a direct crash. He recollects laying in mattress and crying for 2 days straight, not sure how he would ever pull himself out of this darkish state.
Not solely have been issues sophisticated sufficient for Harold at this level, however he quickly realized that he can be buying his son’s German Shepherd. His son bought a job alternative that might not permit him to carry the pup alongside, forcing Harold to welcome the pup into his own residence.
“I did not want to do anything. I laid on the floor and the couch day after day, doing the minimum. I would get up to take care of the dog, then lay back down.” – Harold Reynolds
Harold was comfortable to have Blue in his dwelling, however their first couple of weeks have been nonetheless an adjustment. Harold remembers solely doing the naked minimal with the affected person pup at first, as he was looking for the energy to get by every day. As time went on, the bond between the 2 started to type.
Soon after welcoming Blue into his life, he knew he needed to do one thing to get his psychological well being again on monitor. He then reached out to his physician for some extra assist, and the 2 got here up with a plan to deal with his post-hike melancholy. Part of this plan concerned getting up and transferring along with his new buddy Blue.
“Sometimes this dog and I would go out and just enjoy the day together. I kept up the guise of going places for the dog, but I was doing it for myself, as well, forcing human interaction.” – Harold Reynolds
The love of a canine is the perfect medication on the market, and this proved to be true in Harold’s case as effectively. Within months of Blue coming into his life unexpectedly, Harold was lastly beginning to see the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel.
The two frolicked open air collectively, getting social inside their neighborhood, and even planning future hikes collectively. Blue’s love introduced a lot mild into Harold’s life that he was lastly capable of pull himself out of that darkish area.
The companionship of his furry buddy has given him the boldness wanted to think about ending the second half of the path. Harold even plans to carry Blue alongside for the journey and is engaged on instructing him the best way to endure lengthy outside adventures.
This canine saved my life. He gave me the aim of getting up once more.” – Harold Reynolds
No matter what lies forward for Harold and Blue, now we have little doubt that their future shall be full of unbelievable adventures. We can’t wait to see what they obtain collectively!
H/T: post-journal.com
