Do you think animals help in calming?

Purplegoat83 · Jun 22, 2021 at 11:05 AM

I have 3 animals. 2 dogs and a recently acquired cat. They seem to bring me comfort, but I still feel overwhelmed and angry a lot. Can anyone relate?

Skeezyks · Jun 22, 2021 at 01:49 PM

We just have one small dog. But our living situation is such that having her is a lot of work. (Plus we take extra-good care of her.) So, yes, having her can be calming and a comfort. But, at the same time, she doesn't do a lot to quell my perpetual anger. (That comes from elsewhere.) And, in fact, tending to her needs day-in & day-out can actually increase that feeling of overwhelm you mentioned.

When I read that owning a dog (even more so than a cat or other pet I would presume) can be beneficial to people who have mental illnesses I always think that's not necessarily the whole story. Dogs (again in particular) can be a lot of work (to say nothing of the expense!) Plus, over the years, they age they develop their own illnesses and they ultimately pass away leaving a great deal of sadness in their wake. But, absolutely, I can definitely relate.

*Beth* · Jun 22, 2021 at 02:12 PM

I honestly don't know how I'd make it without my cats. They are so funny and so loving. The only problem for me is worrying about them, that they'll get sick and die.

lizardlady · Jun 22, 2021 at 02:47 PM

I'm with Beth. I don't know what I would do without my furbabies. They are my family. They help fill a hole in me.

That's not to say things are perfect with them. When Miette the cat walks through the house screaming her lungs out at 3am I am not a happy person. I have a thread here about my dog developing cancerous tumors. That's a ton of extra stress. Inspite of all that my life would be bleak without them.

hehe, as I am typing this Ollie (cat) got up for his afternoon snuggle. He comes to visit this time of day, every day. He'll be back at 9pm for pre-bed snuggles.

Nammu · Jun 22, 2021 at 03:52 PM

My cat is very calming, he loves to lie in my lap. But yeah, there’s worry to cause he’s 16-17 now. I’d not be without him though. When I went though my last depression he was a trooper and kept me going.

eskielover · Jun 23, 2021 at 09:12 AM

I couldn't imagine being without any of my pets.....dogs, cat, horse & even the wild raccoons that are constantly on my back deck. I am always talking to them & interfacing with them. Lots of care required & I could probably own a vet practice with all the vet Bill's I have had.

Comforting, definitely but also require special care & comforting them when they are sick or dying. We accept ALL aspects of life with our pets from birth to death & I have gone through a lot of that which always includes huge heart ache at the end of their lives but so grateful they were a part of my life & that I connected at that level I feel the loss

Mountaindewed · Jun 23, 2021 at 02:48 PM

My cats annoy me. I kind of have a love hate thing going on with them. The one I really liked we had to put to sleep last December.

Introvrtd1 · Jun 23, 2021 at 06:41 PM

No 🙁

Didn’t work for me 🙁

Soupe du jour · Jun 25, 2021 at 01:34 AM

Yes, similar to your situation. My past parrots were mostly a comfort. Two were particularly affectionate. The last was one of those two, though he was also more of a baby than friend, which gave me more responsibility. The hardest part of pet ownership is when they pass away, especially prematurely. I'm still very upset at the loss of my last bird boy. Just horrible! Heartbreaking.

TJean · Jun 25, 2021 at 09:05 PM

I recently lost my 10 year old cat. He was in a lot of pain and it broke my heart to let him go. But after the grief leaves, I know I will think back to how wonderful it was that he was in my life. I have never lived without either a cat or a dog and still have 1 cat and a bird. I can't imagine my life without their company.

Ford Puma · Jun 26, 2021 at 05:59 AM

I do not have any pets but there is plenty of wildlife in my garden and that does for me. Nightingales and robins singing really cheers me up. The neighbour's cat is always coming around... too... how do I put it, keep an eye on the said birds.

eskielover · Jun 26, 2021 at 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Puma

I do not have any pets but there is plenty of wildlife in my garden and that does for me. Nightingales and robins singing really cheers me up. The neighbour's cat is always coming around... too... how do I put it, keep an eye on the said birds.

I have those too & they are such a blessing to watch. I toss out bird seed on my deck & dog food for the raccoons, possums, & chipmunks. My deck is covered with the baby raccoons playing this time of year. I am surprised cause if my cat is outside, he knows to stay away from the deck with all the birds & critters. He is a good boy. I get an occasional ground hog wander through & the deer are all over the place. Something very calming about being surrounded by nature's animals too

downandlonely · Jun 26, 2021 at 08:11 AM

I live alone, so need a pet as a companion. I don't know what I would have done without my cat during the pandemic. I live alone and was working from home and not going anywhere.

Brego · Jun 29, 2021 at 08:14 AM

Yes, my cat Callie sidles up to me before bed every now and then. She helps the insomnia ease away and is an animal who seems so good at what she does. I love her so much.

mssweatypalms · Jun 29, 2021 at 08:49 AM

Definitely. My dog helped me a lot when I was depressed. I talked to her a lot and it always seemed like she was listening. She could also tell when I wasn't feeling well. I sometimes got angry at her when she misbehaved, but immediately felt guilty. She's gone now, and I still miss her.

Jun 29, 2021 at 09:25 AM

I have a vague memory of a woman called rose, who was a member of staff at my school.

on friday afternoons (or most fridays) she'd take me aside and we'd go and see the rabits. it was meant to calm me down before

Possible trigger:

I went home to my abusive mother

i'm sure it worked some weeks, but not all the time

Mountaindewed · Jun 29, 2021 at 01:25 PM

My Venus flytrap Audrey that I just got is making me happy right now. Maybe I just needed a plant to help me feel calm.

88Butterfly88 · Jul 01, 2021 at 07:00 PM

I have a small dog named Lilly that calms me.

Fuzzybear · Jul 14, 2021 at 10:29 AM

I used to have a lovely dog which helped to calm me.

Jul 14, 2021 at 10:33 AM

I have 2 older rescue dogs that keep me going. I am still here because of them. To try to deal with my increased level of anxiety, I've been making sure to spend a bit of extra time with them each day. Longer walks and snuggles. They sense my anxiety, but do really seem to enjoy the extra attention.

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Purplegoat83 Junior Member Member Since Jun 2021 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11 2	Jun 22, 2021 at 11:05 AM #1 I have 3 animals. 2 dogs and a recently acquired cat. They seem to bring me comfort, but I still feel overwhelmed and angry a lot. Can anyone relate?
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Beth catches the flowers Member Since Jul 2019 Location: Downtown Vibes, California Posts: 15,701 (SuperPoster!) 4 23.7k hugs given	Jun 22, 2021 at 02:12 PM #3 I honestly don't know how I'd make it without my cats. They are so funny and so loving. The only problem for me is worrying about them, that they'll get sick and die. __________________
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Mountaindewed Legendary Wise Elder Member Since Jun 2016 Location: Where the sidewalk ends Posts: 36,123 (SuperPoster!) 7 8,737 hugs given	Jun 23, 2021 at 02:48 PM #7 My cats annoy me. I kind of have a love hate thing going on with them. The one I really liked we had to put to sleep last December. __________________ Ridin' with Biden
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Introvrtd1 Member Member Since Jan 2014 Location: USA Posts: 277 10 61 hugs given	Jun 23, 2021 at 06:41 PM #8 No 🙁 Didn’t work for me 🙁
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TJean Junior Member Member Since Jun 2021 Location: Illinois Posts: 20 2 37 hugs given	Jun 25, 2021 at 09:05 PM #10 I recently lost my 10 year old cat. He was in a lot of pain and it broke my heart to let him go. But after the grief leaves, I know I will think back to how wonderful it was that he was in my life. I have never lived without either a cat or a dog and still have 1 cat and a bird. I can't imagine my life without their company.
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Ford Puma Grand Magnate Member Since May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 4,390 9 796 hugs given	Jun 26, 2021 at 05:59 AM #11 I do not have any pets but there is plenty of wildlife in my garden and that does for me. Nightingales and robins singing really cheers me up. The neighbour's cat is always coming around... too... how do I put it, keep an eye on the said birds. __________________ A daily dose of positive in a world going cuckoo Humour helps...
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downandlonely Legendary Member Since Mar 2018 Location: United States Posts: 10,760 (SuperPoster!) 6 10.6k hugs given	Jun 26, 2021 at 08:11 AM #13 I live alone, so need a pet as a companion. I don't know what I would have done without my cat during the pandemic. I live alone and was working from home and not going anywhere.
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Brego Veteran Member Member Since Sep 2020 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 597 3 55 hugs given	Jun 29, 2021 at 08:14 AM #14 Yes, my cat Callie sidles up to me before bed every now and then. She helps the insomnia ease away and is an animal who seems so good at what she does. I love her so much.
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mssweatypalms Member Member Since May 2021 Location: middle of nowhere Posts: 242 2 476 hugs given	Jun 29, 2021 at 08:49 AM #15 Definitely. My dog helped me a lot when I was depressed. I talked to her a lot and it always seemed like she was listening. She could also tell when I wasn't feeling well. I sometimes got angry at her when she misbehaved, but immediately felt guilty. She's gone now, and I still miss her.
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Anonymous32451 Guest Posts: n/a	Jun 29, 2021 at 09:25 AM #16 I have a vague memory of a woman called rose, who was a member of staff at my school. on friday afternoons (or most fridays) she'd take me aside and we'd go and see the rabits. it was meant to calm me down before Possible trigger: I went home to my abusive mother i'm sure it worked some weeks, but not all the time
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Mountaindewed Legendary Wise Elder Member Since Jun 2016 Location: Where the sidewalk ends Posts: 36,123 (SuperPoster!) 7 8,737 hugs given	Jun 29, 2021 at 01:25 PM #17 My Venus flytrap Audrey that I just got is making me happy right now. Maybe I just needed a plant to help me feel calm. __________________ Ridin' with Biden
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88Butterfly88 Moderator Community Support Team Member Since Dec 2015 Location: New Jersey Posts: 54,190 (SuperPoster!) 8 10.5k hugs given	Jul 01, 2021 at 07:00 PM #18 I have a small dog named Lilly that calms me. __________________ "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” – Helen Keller
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Fuzzybear Wisest Elder Ever Member Since Nov 2002 Location: Cave. Posts: 96,325 (SuperPoster!) 21 81.2k hugs given	Jul 14, 2021 at 10:29 AM #19 I used to have a lovely dog which helped to calm me. __________________
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Anonymous40506 Guest Posts: n/a	Jul 14, 2021 at 10:33 AM #20 I have 2 older rescue dogs that keep me going. I am still here because of them. To try to deal with my increased level of anxiety, I've been making sure to spend a bit of extra time with them each day. Longer walks and snuggles. They sense my anxiety, but do really seem to enjoy the extra attention.
	Reply With Quote