Move Past the Past: How Doug the “Depressed” Dog Learns the power of “Euphoria of Today”
- Bruce Schutter
- May 29
- 4 min read
It was early morning when I heard the unmistakable sound of slow, defeated paw steps dragging across my porch. I opened the door, and there he was—Doug the "Depressed" Dog.
Doug is Marvin the "Mental Health Warrior" Cat's friend. But where Marvin is all sarcastic tail flicks and emotional kettlebell curls, Doug is... well, more like an emotionally exhausted throw blanket with soulful eyes and an allergy to enthusiasm. Think Eeyore with fur and droopy ears, but with a surprising knack for deep insight that sneaks up on you like a quiet thunderstorm.
"I heard you wrote a book," Doug said, settling on the welcome mat like it was his emotional support mattress.
"I've written a few," I said. "Which one?"
"The one about... living in now? Marvin said it will help me stop chasing ghosts and living in the past in my head."
Ah yes. "Euphoria of Today."
Doug Knows My Story
Doug's no stranger to my journey. He knows I spent 20 years battling Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorders and PTSD. He knows there was a time when my past felt like an anchor tied to my chest, and every step forward dragged the weight of every mistake, every trauma, and every regret.
And he knows that after hitting rock bottom—even attempting to end my life—I discovered something that changed everything: Mental Health is the key to overcoming any challenge.
With that knowledge, I created the Mental Health Warrior Program—a new SELF-HELP approach, designed to help everyone take charge of their emotions, triumph over challenges and build the life they really want!
An important tool in that program is what I call the Practice of “Mindfulness of Today”—and it became the foundation of my book Euphoria of Today.
Doug looked at me with eyes that said, I'm listening, but I can't promise enthusiasm.
The Practice of “Mindfulness of Today”
I poured us both a cup of herbal tea (he drinks his with a splash of peanut butter—don’t ask).
"Doug, the past is a tricky beast," I began. "You can't change it, but it sure tries to control you. What I've learned is this: the only place you can actually live, act, and change anything is today."
He blinked slowly. "So, I should... ignore the past?"
"Not ignore. Accept it. Learn from it. By shifting your focus and energy on today!"
I gave him three real-life examples of how I use it to help me move past the past.
Example 1: Forgiving Myself for Mistakes
"I used to obsess over what I did wrong in the past. The relapses. The relationships I damaged. The missed opportunities. I’d beat myself up so badly that I could barely function.
But then I realized: if I put that same energy into what I could do today, I could actually move forward.
So instead of drowning in regret, I started doing small, helpful things today—reaching out to someone I hurt, showing up consistently, keeping promises I used to break."
Doug's Takeaway:
He scratched his ear thoughtfully. "I once barked so aggressively at the mailman that he switched routes.
I've felt awful about it ever since. Maybe instead of lying in bed all day staring at the door, I could sit outside and wag my tail, show him I'm not that dog anymore."
Insightful. And a little heartbreaking.
Example 2: Letting Go of What I Can’t Control
"There were so many things I tried to fix that were beyond my power. I’d stay up at night re-playing arguments or fantasizing about perfect outcomes that never happened. All it did was exhaust me.
Now, when I feel that spiral of things that are out of my control, I bring myself back to what I can do today: go for a walk, write something helpful, take care of my body. Something real."
Doug's Takeaway:
"I’ve been chewing the same emotional bone for six years. Maybe I will bury it already and take a nap in the sun instead. Doesn’t directly fix my depression about the past, but enjoying today, allows me to revel in what I can control."
Deadpan. But solid.
Example 3: Choosing Joy on Purpose
"Joy doesn’t just show up. Especially when you’re used to chaos.
Today, by practicing “Mindfulness of Today” I found joy in the simple things right in front of me: how my diet soda tastes, how good it feels to cross something off my list, how much I actually like quiet mornings.
The more I did that, the less space there was for the past to rent in my head!"
Doug's Takeaway:
"I enjoy rolling in fresh grass. Haven’t done it in years. Maybe it’s time to ruin someone's lawn and reclaim some joy."
That’s the spirit, Doug!
Wrap Up
By the time we finished our tea, Doug looked a little lighter. His ears perked up. He even offered a half-tail wag, which, in Doug language, is basically a dance party.
"I think that your book “Euphoria of Today will really help me move past the past!"
I nodded. "It saved my life. And it made room for something I hadn’t felt in a long time: Hope."
I then handed him my copy of Euphoria of Today.
He stared at the cover for a long moment. "Guess it’s time I learned how to be happy where my paws are… in TODAY."
He might not sprint into joy like Marvin does, but Doug? He’s walking towards triumph over his past. One thoughtful, intentional step at a time. And that’s the Warrior way fueled by the joy and power of TODAY!
Bruce Schutter
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