[Ocean Swimmer]

I've got a new routine. I found a hairbrush that my kitty really likes. I brush her twice a day.

I'm always fully present in the moment during this time and focusing on her response , expression and body positions.

She loves it so I'm lucky. I've had cats that would run away or spit if you Tryed to brush them.

Doggie is back on her 25 ' cable. She ran away again Sunday, and came home Tuesday. She visits a family 46 acres away. They emled me last time and said they weren't giving her any treats.
But my caretakers are friends with their caretakers and it was told that they spoil her wildly. Especially their son. He's in college now, but they used to have a dog named Chispa( spark). They call my dog Shikira. But her name is
Princesa Sofielia.

I read that dogs don't like to be patted on top of their heads. So I stopped doing that.
Do your pets help you deal?

[Pastel Kitten]

My dog back at my dad's house helped me cope when I was going through really rough times. Unfortunately I wasn't always able to be near the dog (my brother was very abusive to me and prevented me from doing many of the things I wanted to do). But when I was near him, it helped quite a lot. I'm not living with my dad anymore and I miss my dog a lot. I want to get another dog or a cat someday. We're getting a hamster soon so at least it will be something.

[valeriejayne]

I have 2 dogs, a Boxer and a Cattahoola. I don't know what I would have done without them during this so dark period in my life. They are my babies. They know when I'm in pain, whether it's physical, mental or both.
I have fibromyalgia and a slew of problems with my spine. I'm actually having a tumor removed from my spine in April...I am in a lot of pain on an almost daily basis and recently, my husband of 30 years has left me.
My dogs are there for me no matter what...they are always happy to see me and they listen to me no matter what I have to say...I love them both dearly...so yes I truly believe in pet therapy whether it be dogs, cats or any pet...so keep brushing and talking to your cat...sounds like you are conecting with him...it helps with the depression, so keep it up.

[Roaming_bird]

My two dogs, two cats, and one bird are great, but it's the cockatoo that can really read me and knows when I need him to snuggle. My lab is old and hates to be brushed, but my boxer loves hugs and pats on the head and anywhere else. I've cried into her fur while hugging her many times. But she's gassy.

My cats are all about themselves, so when they decide to sit on my lap, it's lovely.

[Ocean Swimmer]

Originally Posted by valeriejayne

I have 2 dogs, a Boxer and a Cattahoola. I don't know what I would have done without them during this so dark period in my life. They are my babies. They know when I'm in pain, whether it's physical, mental or both.
I have fibromyalgia and a slew of problems with my spine. I'm actually having a tumor removed from my spine in April...I am in a lot of pain on an almost daily basis and recently, my husband of 30 years has left me.
My dogs are there for me no matter what...they are always happy to see me and they listen to me no matter what I have to say...I love them both dearly...so yes I truly believe in pet therapy whether it be dogs, cats or any pet...so keep brushing and talking to your cat...sounds like you are conecting with him...it helps with the depression, so keep it up.

I'm feeling for you having a husband that leaves after so many years. Was it good thing? Sometimes these things work out for the best.
I hope your surgery goes well. I'll say a prayer.
I'm glad you have your dogs for company.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Oddly enough, my bird (talking, screeching cockatoo) triggers my dysphoria if I'm already on the border. It's not that bad and I do love her so I'm avoiding having to get rid of her. When I'm agitated or angry and she's screaming it makes me worst so I just yell for her to be quiet or give in and go out to my living room. Partly because I'm afraid the neighbors will hear too. So everyone's posting nice relaxing experiences and I'm posting the opposite lol. But my two cats are often quiet so they don't bother me unless I'm trying to sleep and they're fighting. And obviously my bearded dragon is content under his heat lamp. I like to joke that he's depressed most of the time because he's so docile and lazy lol.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Roaming_bird]

Rx, I agree 100% about the screaming Too. When he's quiet and snuggly he's great. When he's screaming, I go wherever he is not! When he's good, he's amazing. When he's bad, he's horrid.

[OctobersBlackRose]

My cat Mickey helps me a lot, petting and playing with him calm me down, at least when he isn't biting or scratching me lol.

[valeriejayne]

I think it was a good thing although I'm not all the way there yet...just scared and lonely most of the time.
Thanks for the prayers for surgery...
I'm very lucky to have my dogs and my children, my father...they are all a huge support for me. My kids are really mad at their dad right now...they know all the abuse I have gone through with him and they know the sacrafice that I have made to make a great life for them while shielding them from the bad. They don't remember their dad being there for them...all they remember is me raising them and all the fun we had together, so I'm glad for that. Although there was one incidence of abuse that my oldest son remembers...thank god only one as there were many...emotional, physical and verbal.
I hope I can move on with my life...it's really hard some days and not others...this site is helping a lot so thanks to all of you for that.

[BipolaRNurse]

Originally Posted by RxQueen875

Oddly enough, my bird (talking, screeching cockatoo) triggers my dysphoria if I'm already on the border. It's not that bad and I do love her so I'm avoiding having to get rid of her. When I'm agitated or angry and she's screaming it makes me worst so I just yell for her to be quiet or give in and go out to my living room.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wish it were that easy to make my son's cockatoo shut the hell up. He makes noises that must come from Hell and I can't stand it. My son is always working or going to school so he doesn't really have the time to give the bird the attention he needs. I say we either get rid of him or serve him on toast.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

I wish it were that easy to make my son's cockatoo shut the hell up. He makes noises that must come from Hell and I can't stand it. My son is always working or going to school so he doesn't really have the time to give the bird the attention he needs. I say we either get rid of him or serve him on toast.

Mine was just going nuts because she heard me talking on the phone. But it's past her bedtime so I turned off all her lights and went in my room. This is the only time she will stay quiet. So now I get to relax. She likes to do cat calls. Like when a man whistles at a sexy girl that walks by. That's what she does to me. I don't mind the whistling and random talking but the top of the lung bloody murder screams just drive me insane. Especially when I'm mixed or dysphoric and sensitive to sound. My bf refuses to get rid of her even though she drives him more nutty. All our friends that see her want to buy her because she's so friendly.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I do love my dog but i am uneasy with the quality of care i am providing for her. She was a manic purchase and i was not prepared for how demanding caring for her would be. It's not so bad in the Spring, Summer and Fall, but i really don't like taking her out in the Winter when i'm depressed and the weather is so awful [Ontario here]. Most days we're only out twice. Some days only once. She can go potty on the balcony so she's comfortable but the women in my building are always on my case to take her out more as they're out three times a day with their dogs, religiously.

I've started the process to give her away twice now. I even had people in to meet her but they wanted to bring their daughter by the next day to meet her and by then i had changed my mind.

It's hard for me to tell if i just have normal parental anxiety and guilt. I don't mind the other aspects of caring for her -- i even brush her teeth. It's just the endless effing walking her that i don't like.

I so wish i'd gotten a cat. Sometimes i think i should see if there's someone who would trade their cat for my dog... I might ask my neighbor. I just feel it would be such a monstrous thing to give my dog away -- i know she would suffer as she's really attached to me.

What do you think?

no, no, and no!

actually, the only story i have of pets is kinda cruel

i went for weeks asking for a budgie (type of bird). making the sound affects of a budgie, playing the birdy song, just really trying to get a budgie

everyone kept saying to me.. you don't want a budgie, you don't know what they are, how to look after them, you're just manic- and you're asking for a budgie now, but trust me- you'll come down and get sick of it

anyway i kept asking for it and eventually 1 friday afternoon my brother just braught one round unexpectidly (cage and everything)

it lasted.... well, not long at all

it wasn't long before i was going out of my mind- not knowing what to do with it or how to look after it, and we got rid of it (just let it fly out the window)

but i do genually want a cat (despite being clawed by 1 once)

[BastetsMuse]

Of course my pets help me deal. I have two dogs and they are very tuned in to me and my moods. If I get upset, they insist on getting ON me and cuddling, and that always makes me feel better.

My dogs like being scratched and petted on their heads - but if I remember right, they had to get used to it. They like it now.

[Blue_Bird]

I have 2 cats. They snuggle up with me and purr, I enjoy their company and am grateful to have them