Pets help you feel good

Have had cats, dogs & other pets all my life could not imagine being without! Recently lost my little rescue girl of 10 years to the same type tumour that took her Mum 4 years ago! Now have adopted an older indoor boy who is trying hard to get used to love as he doesnt seem to have had much before! He is still shy & scares easily, will not be brushed too much, long haired, a lovely boy who I would not be without now. He has arthritis so seeing vet next week to try to help him move easier. He keeps me as near to sane as I will ever be 😹

In a word - YES!

sadly we are not allowed pets at these flats and I am sorry about that. But I am happy to help out with friends pets. Not quite the same though and when I am awake in a lot of pain at 3am it would be so good to have an animal to lovel . ah well

I ran dog training for over 35 years. I often visited people in their own homes before they came to classes.
I met two ladies who had agoraphobia and we worked on taking their dog out for support. They then attended classes on their own.,,and could go shopping .
Many lonely elderly comforted by their dog snd could meet others through it.
I had a number of children with major problems ( OCD, anxiety taking various forms, children and adults grieving for a loved one, autism,
People with physical problems teaching the dog to assist them.
I had referrals from social services for many different issues.
I could go on.
What amazing creatures these dogs are.

Oh I'm with you there. I have a fairly elderly Westie who is the joy of my life. Walking twice daily now ( it used to be 3 times). It keeps me fit and sometimes it's the only time I see and talk to people , they don't always have dogs.
Also see the beautifully kept gardens in our local park.

I did have a cat but she died this year and I've struggled to get my head round another pet. I'm on my own and love cats and dogs alike, but worry about organising their looking after if I was going away somewhere. It was always a problem with my last cat as she was very timid and reluctantly went to a cattery on occasion, latterly I just didn't go away.

However, the joy of having a wee four legged furry friend was great, they make your heart happy

We lost our little Cairn this year - he was the joy of our life - but being nearly 80 we feel that we couldn’t give another dog what it needs for a happy snd healthy life so have reluctantly decided not to get another dog.

We are finding it incredibly difficult though, but must be strong for the animals welfare.

I am unable to have pets as I have a severe allergy to fur or feather.
I meet lots of dogs on my walks and the way some greet me is heartwarming. I'm especially fond of a German Shepherd who runs to me for a fuss when I see him.

Truffle43 I feel exactly tge same when I am looking afrer my friend's dog. Amazing how many people stop to chat.

I completely agree, I adore my dog. Taking her out for a walk helps my mental health, I have bad anxiety and she makes it easier for me to leave the house and be social. Plus she gives me so much love and comfort. She sleeps on our bed with us and is the centre of the family, we plan day s out with her in mind. We also had a cat but she died a couple of years ago, I would love another one as I've always loved cats too.

For some months I've been monitoring m blood pressure. When I've been with DD2 and her dogs my BP is always normal or even below normal.

Sorry, small typo - my blood pressure

The best antidepressant!

Oh of course we have never been without cats and dogs and never will be they bring such pride and joy to enrich our lives. Nothing better than shutting your door and cuddling up to your pets. They see you through the good and bad times and love you unconditionally. Obv each to their own but I can’t really understand people that aren’t animal lovers. They miss out on so much

Even though I grew up with cats, I would find owning a pet stressful and worrying, which is the main reason why I don't.

As for meeting people on walks. I am a regular walker and end up talking to everyone just because I am not walking a dog. People keep asking me where my dog is and looking around for it, and then chatting.

Mind you having been attacked by one dog walker's animals a couple of years ago I am very careful what dogs I go near. Both dogs were wearing muzzles, otherwise I could have been badly mauled, as it was I was left with a badly bruised arm.

Poss

I have to go against the grain at the moment, I'm afraid, due to living in a rural farmhouse with a large dog and 3 cats that have access 24/7 to most of our home. My husband thinks it's fine to not groom, bath or walk the dog, and until recently some cats were having kittens.
I am overwhelmed, with the dirt and things the dog brings in - bones, dead things from the property etc.
Now he wants another dog and it is a daily pressure, with me being shown pictures from rescue groups etc
I can't handle the dirt, animal hair, vomit, pee and poop any longer from what he owns already.
I like animals, but I don't want to own any.
I care for these ones but don't enjoy it. My health is poor and unfortunately the animals make things more difficult.
My husband is a dreamer; he thinks it's some sort of wonderful when he sees me sitting on the couch with three cats sitting on me but the reality is he's not doing what's needed to keep things hygienic in our home.
Not the animals fault and I care for them properly, and do love them,but if I had a choice I'd have an animal free home.

Sounds like you need to give your DH a good talking to.He should be shouldering the dog duties if he likes them so much.
Stand firm!
We haven’t replaced any pets once they died and tho I miss an animal around the house must say it stays much cleaner and no awful pong of pet food and clearing up messes.
I think if ever I live on my own I may change my mind.

Truffle43

I have balance problems and sometimes do not feel like leaving the house. No matter how I feel I must take my dog out for her walks and I am always so glad that I do . I meet lots of lovely people who stop and chat we usually find something to laugh about. I see things that I wouldn’t see like squirrels birds and sometimes the odd field mouse and while outside I appreciate the sense of well being that I feel and know without my furry friend I would miss so much. Does anyone else feel like this?

Yes Truffle exactly what you have said. It's my little furbaby's 7th birthday today and I love him with all of my heart! I got him when he was 2yrs old, a rescue, I do wonder what happened to him before I got him!

The picture above is of my doggie, don't know how it jumped up onto Truffles post!

Poss you have my deepest sympathy. I believe that “animal collecting” - it’s a bit like hoarding is a recognised behavioural disorder.
Try and enlist some help, contact your doctor. Explain what’s going on to them.

My dear little dog was put to sleep at home on May 8th. I had him for 5 years. He had lots of problems, but he finally got the life he deserved when he came to live with me. There's a huge hole in my life. He was such fun.

I will be getting another dog later in the year and that's a lovely thought.

Animal collecting used to be a thing with some vets / vet nurses when unwanted animals were brought in. I knew of one who had 5 cats & dogs and a goat, all unwanted pets. I took on 2 dogs & later an a cat who we thought needed her leg amputated, but in the end we managed to save it. A lot of people wouldn't take their pets to dogs homes due to worries about mistreatment so brought them in to be put to sleep. I think now this happens less as animal charities have a better name & higher profile, but it did put you under a lot of pressure to offer to take them on yourself.

Albertina

When my Mum went into a home I took on her Westie whom mum called Petal. She was the best trained dog we've ever had. I don't know how Mum did it because she was already suffering from Alzheimers.

I used to take her with me when I was "rattling" a tin for Save the Children. Many people came up to me, even crossing the road, to talk to Hattie (name change) but not many put money in the tin. I also used to take her to visit Mum when she was in the home. Most of the ladies wanted to talk to and pet Hattie because they'd had dogs in their former lives.

My cat isn't making me feel good at present. He brought in a live baby rat! He released it into our living room and now it is hiding somewhere. I have opened the patio door but it hasn't run out. I'm now trying to devise a plan for trapping it.