I Had A Black Dog
Registered by sydney2259 on 1/2/2006
17 journalers for this copy...
Black Dog is shorthand for a disease the millions of people suffer from - depression. Artist and writer Matthew Johnstone, a sufferer himself, has written and illustrated this moving and uplifting insight into what it is like to have a Black Dog as a companion.
****************************************************************
This is a very slim lightweight book. I am offering this book as a bookray, to both Australian and International bookcrossers. Please PM me with your location and shipping preferences. Read and send on within 4 weeks please :)
1. frangipanis (Australia)
2. catsalive (Australia)
3. back to Sydney2259
4. SeamonkeyofTVCH (USA)
****************************************************************
This is a very slim lightweight book. I am offering this book as a bookray, to both Australian and International bookcrossers. Please PM me with your location and shipping preferences. Read and send on within 4 weeks please :)
1. frangipanis (Australia)
2. catsalive (Australia)
3. back to Sydney2259
4. SeamonkeyofTVCH (USA)
Journal Entry 2 by frangipanis from Rockhampton, Queensland Australia on Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Book has arrived safely in the mail and has been added to my TBR pile ... thanks ...
Posting this book today .. thanks ...
CAUGHT IN ROCKHAMPTON QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA
CAUGHT IN ROCKHAMPTON QUEENSLAND AUSTRALIA
Very different to what I expected ... I am forwarding it on to catsalive today ... thanks ...
Thanks frangipanis.
It's all true but I think it's a bit hard on dogs, they are such happy beasts. Thanks for sharing this sydney 2259.
I've passed this on to a friend as sydney2259 doesn't require it back now.
A very insightful book into the difficulty many people have with depression. Nicely written & drawn to explain a complex issue in a simple manner.
Bookring instructions:1. SIGN UP for this bookring by sending me a Private Message. Order of participants will be juggled between geography and date of request. Late additions may be added to the end of the list.
2. When the person before you on the list finishes reading the book, they will send you a Private Message for your postal address. If you are experiencing an RBC (Reading Backlog Crisis) or no longer wish to read it, let them (and me!) know and I will move/remove you down/off the list.
3. WHEN YOU RECEIVE THE BOOK please make a journal entry so everyone knows it has safely arrived.
4. WHEN YOU FINISH THE BOOK, make another journal entry telling us what you thought - did you like it? Did you think it was well-written?
5. CONTINUE THE BOOKRING by sending a Private Message to the person after you on the bookring list and request their postal address. Please check back here for the latest distribution list. If the person doesn't respond within 7-10 days (use your judgement), please PM the next person, and then me, so I can update the bookring list.
Participants (International):
MooMoo1977, NSW
CrystalJade, QLD
aussie-rose, SA
crimson-tide, WA
puppymummy, VIC
leeny37, VIC
goodthinkingmax, NSW
hunnyb, NSW (post anywhere)
ebonystar, UK (pref UK but will post OS)
AngelfireStar, USA
catsalive, NSW, Australia home on 10/12/6.
Posted to MooMoo1977 24/4/6.
Certainly gives you something to think about. I loved the analogy of depression being like a black dog....have PM'd CrystalJade to check her addy details and will endeavour to have it sent off either tomorrow or Monday...
Arrived yesterday. The quick look I had shows it to be an interesting book. I will probably share this with my teens before sending it on it's journey.
This was avery helpful book. I sat down with my teens and we went through the book together, discussing each page as we went. Some things where what I experience, while others where a bit different (e.g. the author says the black dog takes his appetite away.....I tend to comfort eat instead. So I discussed that difference with my kids too, that way they understand that not everyone's experience is exactly the same.) It is good for helping family and friends understand the illness better.
I'll pass it on to aussie-rose this week.
I'll pass it on to aussie-rose this week.
Posted 25/5/06
Book arrived safely! I'll get on to it ASAP and will journal my thoughts once I've read it. :-)
Wow this book certainly is a VERY quick read!! You could be finished it in 15-30 minutes as there are only a few sentences per page, but it's the underlying message that needs to be thought about for MUCH longer!
I found the illustrations very intriguing. Although I haven't been clinically depressed, I have certainly had 'the blues' many times and periods of deep discouragement. So I can't totally relate to the depth of feeling portrayed in the text and illustrations, I can relate to it to a certain degree. I tried to read it with the aim of trying to learn more so I can better understand a few friends who have depression.
Thanks to all past 'custodians' for sharing this book with us all. :-)
I have PM'd crimson-tide and will post off as soon as I get their address. In the meantime I will re-read it a couple more times to really let it sink in!
I found the illustrations very intriguing. Although I haven't been clinically depressed, I have certainly had 'the blues' many times and periods of deep discouragement. So I can't totally relate to the depth of feeling portrayed in the text and illustrations, I can relate to it to a certain degree. I tried to read it with the aim of trying to learn more so I can better understand a few friends who have depression.
Thanks to all past 'custodians' for sharing this book with us all. :-)
I have PM'd crimson-tide and will post off as soon as I get their address. In the meantime I will re-read it a couple more times to really let it sink in!
Journal Entry 17 by 
crimson-tide
from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Monday, June 12, 2006
crimson-tide from Balingup, Western Australia Australia on Monday, June 12, 2006
Received today from aussie-rose with thanks.Have also just read it. What a great little book. It has an important message which is projected very simply and clearly; with the text and illustrations complementing each other beautifully. Poignant but not maudlin, and the illustrations have a touch of humour about them that I appreciate. It's also practical to a certain degree, and in the end is positive, encouraging and hopeful.
I imagine that it would be an excellent book to aid children and teens (and adults too for that matter) in their understanding of what may perhaps be happening to those around them.
Will be sending off to puppymummy very soon - but I'll read it again a few more times first. I just love those illustrations!
This looks terrific! I should have it read for our next meetup, assuming leeny37 will be there to get it from me...
Great book, the cartoons are briliant (particularly the one about aging). The only disappointment for me is that there is no depiction of the mental anguish that can accompany severe depression - but then, you can't cover everything!
Passing it on at meetup tonight.
Passing it on at meetup tonight.
Received safely from puppymummy at tonight's meet-up, thank you! (^_^) This should be a quick read; I will try to get through it soon and send it off to the next participant asap so it doesn't get lost when my house move happens! *grin*
read this somewhere between puppymummy and meetup
This was a quick little read but I really enjoyed it. I thought the illustrations captured the emotions perfectly and it was a great visual depiction of some of the struggles that people with depression face. I liked the uplifting end - definitely very encouraging for those who have had their lives affected by depression, including their friends and families. I do agree with catsalive though, it's very hard on dogs and kinda sad to see them associated with depression! Thanks for sharing and I will get this out to the next participant asap.
Journal Entry 23 by leeny37 at Australia Post in -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCKs etc, Australian Capital Territory Australia on Saturday, July 15, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (7/16/2006 UTC) at Australia Post in -- Mail, by hand, rings, RABCKs etc, Australian Capital Territory Australia
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Oops, apologies for hanging on to this, I had meant to mail it out ages ago! This is wrapped up and ready to head to goodthinkingmax, I will drop it off at the post office on my way to work.
Oops, apologies for hanging on to this, I had meant to mail it out ages ago! This is wrapped up and ready to head to goodthinkingmax, I will drop it off at the post office on my way to work.
Journal Entry 24 by goodthinkingmax from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Arrived today. Thanks.
Journal Entry 25 by goodthinkingmax from Sydney CBD, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, August 13, 2006
Initially I was a bit mystified by the gorgeous black dog in the illustrations representing depression. Black Dog is a term I had only recently heard in relation to depression so it was interesting to read the foreword and the history of the term. After reading this a few times, I realised that it is a feat to have people who have experienced depression "smile wryly and respond affectionately to his images". If the book was full of images of a disgusting, evil-looking thing, very few would be likely to pick it up.
The illustrations were great. I love that the dog is expressionless until the second last illustration. This expressionless look really captures the way depression takes over in unexpected and often seemingly small ways. I love the illustration of the dog sitting on the kite string and another where it is ruining the man's appetite with its tail in the wine. I think the book addresses most symptoms of depression and I was struck by the page: "He likes to wake me up with very repetitive, negative thinking" as an example of the book's thoroughness.
Thanks for starting this bookring. I have been curious about it for a while and may buy my own copy to mull over occasionally but mainly to use at work with adolescents.
I will send off to hunnyb today.
The illustrations were great. I love that the dog is expressionless until the second last illustration. This expressionless look really captures the way depression takes over in unexpected and often seemingly small ways. I love the illustration of the dog sitting on the kite string and another where it is ruining the man's appetite with its tail in the wine. I think the book addresses most symptoms of depression and I was struck by the page: "He likes to wake me up with very repetitive, negative thinking" as an example of the book's thoroughness.
Thanks for starting this bookring. I have been curious about it for a while and may buy my own copy to mull over occasionally but mainly to use at work with adolescents.
I will send off to hunnyb today.
Received book today, thanks all :)
I thought this was a good illustrated representation of the symptoms of depression. The writing was also clear and well expressed, helping to debunk some of the myths surrounding depression. Definitely a good book for sharing :) Thanks all, I've PMd ebonystar for an address.
Journal Entry 28 by ebonystar from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, September 6, 2006
i think this arrived a couple of days ago, but have been away, so apologies for only getting it journalled today. i've had a quick flick through but will give a friend the chance to have a read, then send on to angelfirestar.
thanks for giving me the chance to read this! i maybe recognise the analogy 'black dog' from nick drake's music?
thanks for giving me the chance to read this! i maybe recognise the analogy 'black dog' from nick drake's music?
TBR will read ASAP
Greeat book. Short rad and vrey informative. I love the way he wrote it.
Waiting for the next person's address.
Waiting for the next person's address.
Journal Entry 31 by AngelfireStar at Via Mail in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Nebraska USA on Thursday, November 30, 2006
RELEASE NOTES:
sent to catsalive
Thanks for including me in the ring.
sent to catsalive
Thanks for including me in the ring.
Journal Entry 32 by AngelfireStar at Via Mail in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Nebraska USA on Thursday, November 30, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (11/30/2006 UTC) at Via Mail in -- Mail or by hand-rings, RABCK, meetings, Nebraska USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
sent to catsalive
Thanks for including me in the ring.
sent to catsalive
Thanks for including me in the ring.
Journal Entry 33 by 
catsalive
from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Friday, December 8, 2006
catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Friday, December 8, 2006
Home now. Thankyou for participating in this bookring, everyone.
Journal Entry 34 by catsalive at Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, January 5, 2011
catsalive at Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Wednesday, January 5, 2011
This is a good book. I must get it back into circulation.
Journal Entry 35 by catsalive at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, March 17, 2011
catsalive at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, March 17, 2011
Released 13 yrs ago (3/17/2011 UTC) at Book Box, A Bookbox -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Sent to Carole888 from Round 23 of the OzVBB.
Journal Entry 36 by Carole888 at Perth City, Western Australia Australia on Thursday, March 24, 2011
Arrived safely!! Thanks a lot catsalive. Wow! I am surprised to see how far this book has travelled and it's great to be able to read all those journals. Well, I opened the envelope and read it straight away. The illustrations are very effective. You can really feel everything happening as it all builds up. I also found the foreword and acknowledgements interesting. Two others in our household have also read it and they think it is great. Will be sharing it around.
Black Dog Website
Black Dog Website
A travelling companion (dog) with my OZ VBB pick. I took it to my favourite bench with a cuppa and had a quick look. Then later I showed it to countdebeans and he read (most of it) over my shoulder.
I'm going to read it again through from the start and then send it on it's way to a new good home.
Great pictures. So well done. Very good little book that everyone should read.
I'm going to read it again through from the start and then send it on it's way to a new good home.
Great pictures. So well done. Very good little book that everyone should read.
