Dr. Fletcher

(writing notes) Judy Kowalski wrote on www.helpmypatients.com: "You simply need to change the subject every time Marty brings up Helen. If he won't move on in life, at least make him move on in these sessions."

Marty

I've been spending a lot of time walking, as you know. And I've been learning how to pay attention to other dogs with their owners walking down the street, which is not easy for me because I'm alone now.

The other day it was particularly hard because I saw a poodle with a woman. And just the way the poodle kind of rubbed up against her leg -

Dr. Fletcher

You know, that reminds me - what was that date that you went on? I think you said that you were meeting someone who you had met through a dating service. What happened with that?

Marty

Well, we went out to dinner and nothing came of it. Nothing happened there.

The next time, on another day I saw this collie, which was very hard for me, with the owner. They were sitting on a bench and just the way the collie sat reminded me - I just got thinking about Susan and how we used to sit together.

Dr. Fletcher

Yeah, weren't you saying that it was your daughter's birthday coming up? I was wondering whether you had sort of reconciled things and been able to -

Marty

She had the birthday. Everything was fine. We had a conversation so it was fine.

So the dog was sitting with the owner on the bench just the way Susan and I would sit together on the bench. It was very difficult to see.

Dr. Fletcher

Yeah. You know, that reminds me that you had a medical conference coming up, and I remember there was a lot of anxiety about the person you were presenting with.

Marty

I don't want to talk about the conference. This is not helpful.

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