Dale, picking up a white dog in your dream can be a symbolically rich experience. Dogs are often seen as symbols of loyalty, protection, and companionship. The color white typically symbolizes purity, innocence, and peace. In this dream, the act of picking up a white dog might suggest a desire or a need to embrace or integrate these qualities into your life, particularly during this phase where you've experienced significant stress and life changes.
Given your background with PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, the white dog could represent a guiding force or a protective entity that you are subconsciously seeking. It may be a manifestation of a part of yourself that is striving for healing and peace amidst the chaos of your current emotional state. This dream might be encouraging you to recognize and harness your inner strength, symbolized by the dog, to navigate through your challenges.
The simplicity of the dream—picking up a dog—can reflect a basic need for support and affection, something that can often be overlooked during periods of stress and trauma. Your dream could be urging you to acknowledge this need and allow yourself to be open to accepting support, whether from within or from external sources that you trust. It’s a gentle reminder that you are not alone in your journey and that there exists a potential for comfort and solace.