Forced Myself Out + New Therapy Animal - Anxiety and Depre...

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Forced Myself Out + New Therapy Animal

mo9012 profile image
16 Replies

My friends were having a get-together and I was terrified of going. I almost turned around three times on the way there. But I promised myself I would push past the anxiety and stay for at least 45 minutes. I wound up staying for hours and had a great time! The only thing that allows me to make massive progress is forcing myself to face anxiety head-on. It sucks SO BAD but I want with everything I have to have a life again.

In other news, I’m going in the morning to meet a little kitty named Charlie who may be my new therapy animal! She’s old and has special needs, and I want to give her a comfy home.

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mo9012 profile image
mo9012
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16 Replies
MrHelp profile image
MrHelp

Dear mo9012

This is so wonderful to read. Thank you so much for sharing. Small steps at a time is great advice to all. I hope your little kitty helps too

Mr.Help x

mo9012 profile image
mo9012 in reply toMrHelp

Thank you for your support! ❤️

old-soul profile image
old-soul

Oh my goodness. I was thinking your anxiety presented so differently than mine in your other thread, but what you described here is me to a tee. When I go to stuff, even with friends, I HAVE to have my own transportation, or I feel trapped. Even if whoever drives is completely understanding, just the thought that if I can't find my comfort zone and need to get out, I will spoil their visit by having to ask them to get me home way early is a huge set-up.

Charlie is ADORABLE! (And I'm a dog person, I will have you know, so the fact that he scores high marks in the awesome department is really saying something!)

I hate to even ask this, but Mo, if he's up there in years, do you think maybe having him as your ONLY pet is wise? If you have the money to take care of his veterinary bills and stuff, the very SMALL bills associated with a second MUCH YOUNGER cat might be a good investment. {cringe} I'd just hate to see you set up to fall in love with Sir Charlie, and when he does eventually pass, have no other pet to buffer that sadness.

I feel bad saying this about a pet you don't even have yet, and in no way want to discourage you from giving this dashing (and obviously very intelligent) guy an awesome home. I think that's a SUPER plan, but I DO think perhaps having a younger cat ad well might be wise.

Do does that make sence to you?

mo9012 profile image
mo9012 in reply toold-soul

First off, whether our anxiety presents the same or differently, I’m just glad someone out there understands me!! I was offered a ride to this get-together and refused because of the exact reasons you mentioned. Lack of control, what if I want to go home, etc.

Your cat comments make perfect sense, I like your realism! I do have a younger cat already, however she’s more of a mommas-cat and we don’t always get along. She won’t come close to me most days. Potentially getting another cat on top of Charlie is out of the question since I’m moving into my own apartment soon and one cat will be quite enough as far as my time, energy, and expenses go. Charlie is an old girl but I want to simply cuddle her and give her a loving, warm life for what she has left! Dealing with the inevitable loss of my kitty is a small price to pay to give her a fee years of a loving life she’s never known.

old-soul profile image
old-soul in reply tomo9012

You rock. Obviously you have thought about that inevitable loss and are willing to take that heart-hit in order to do the right thing by taking in this great kitty soul and loving her the way she wants to be loved. Have you considered the possibility of having your self cloned? lol The world could use more good hearted and strong folks lime you. I think your tough as nails for your willingness to do what's better, rather than what's "easier" or "mkre convinent." In my opinion, that is the true test of a person's charactor.

Tell Charlie I am sorry I called her a him. lol My best dog ever was a very confused and abused girl names Wilbur. lol Wilbur was 1/2 border collie and 1/2 Australian cattle dog. Far and away smarter and more if a mama dog than ANY other Dog I have EVER witnessed, and I am a serious dog person. It was such an honor to have had her as my own. I miss a girl named Wibur. It sounds lime a perfect country song title, doesn't it?

mo9012 profile image
mo9012 in reply toold-soul

😂😂 thank you for your kind words. Your late girl Wilbur sounds like an amazing little darling! I just got news that I was accepted to adopt Charlie so I’ll keep my page updated!

Stilltrying_ profile image
Stilltrying_

Fantastic news! :) X Well done! X

mo9012 profile image
mo9012 in reply toStilltrying_

Thank you😊

Wonderful for you! You deserve to take a bow! Clap, clap, clap! I'm very proud of you! Warm hugs!!!!! XXX

mo9012 profile image
mo9012 in reply to

Aw, thanks so much!!

fauxartist profile image
fauxartist

you are so absolutely right to keep pushing forward, the anticipation of something happening is often what stops us, but then we miss out on all those really good things, so good for you. And yes, my therapy which adopted us actually, is Miss Betty the Bold, and is now taking up most of the bed while I am writing. She's a little life saver in so many ways, I can't stress enough how having a warm fuzzy makes my life so much calmer. Hope you and Charlie are great friends.

mo9012 profile image
mo9012 in reply tofauxartist

That’s so good to hear! I haven’t had a therapy animal before and I hope this works out well🤞🏻🤞🏻 Hearing that it works for you gives me even more hope!

gerrerd profile image
gerrerd

Never give up. Its good to know your helping yourself, We can all learn from that. Gerrerd.

mo9012 profile image
mo9012 in reply togerrerd

Appreciate the love!

melbrown profile image
melbrown

I'm so glad you push through & had fun with your friends. Convincing ourselves that our anxiety is wrong can be rough, but the anxiety is always wrong. I'm struggling with going out today... will go, know I need it... plus I want me back.

I hope Charlie comes home with you. She is beautiful, those eyes 😍 You 2 sound like a good match.

hugs, Mel

mo9012 profile image
mo9012 in reply tomelbrown

Glad you’re going out too! I know it’s so worth it just to feel like yourself for a little while after getting through all the gross stuff.

BTW I was accepted this morning to adopt Charlie, she’s coming home with me Tuesday or Wednesday!

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