The connection between pets and ourselves.

Have you ever had a completely terrible day and the only thing that seems to soothe you is your fluff ball friend?

Something I greatly appreciate upon this journey to recovery is how impactful pets are to us. While I never been privy to a specific animal, I've been pleasantly surprised by how receptive my two cats are to my feelings (especially considering the bad reputation they seem to get for being heartless jerks). When I've been in the pits of despair, they both will find a way into my lap (or my face if I am lying down) to squish, cuddle, lick or kneed me to show affection. It always baffles me how much they can improve my mood.

The purs of a cat are proven to reduce stress, so it's no wonder that our furry friends bring so much comfort. I'm a new cat mom as I've only owned my girls for two years now. I've always had hamsters and chinchillas growing up, so cats are an entirely new experience for me. They both have been such a blessing and I am so thankful to have them.

Do you own any pets? If so, do they bring you comfort? Tell me something about your pet

[kenster1]

yeah my dog she gives me everything and more literally saved my life when I needed it most.apart from when the post man comes that is.

[Sillysausage234 in reply to kenster1]

Haha my dog is a patter dale also ...she bit our postman and a workman as he was getting tools out of his van..she’s a great companion though great when you build up the trust

[kenster1 in reply to Sillysausage234]

my dog hasn't bitten yet but goes nuts when the door goes I carry her to the door and she then troddles up the stairs knowing its ok.she hates walking by drunks and always goes nuts.

[Sillysausage234 in reply to kenster1]

More of a warning sort of bite not full on ,they can certainly go nuts for their size....and their ball .....and squirrels 😊 I had a staffie before for 14 years ..then someone I know had a patter dale and they are a lovely dog....sometimes

[Ragdoll15 in reply to Sillysausage234]

My daughter has a patterdale, he has such a lovely temperament and so obedient!

[Sillysausage234 in reply to Ragdoll15]

Mines around 7 all’s I can say is she is learning 😀

[Hidden in reply to kenster1]

That's so beautiful, I adore how much pets can improve the quality of life. So happy that you have such a wonderful and loving dog!

[Sillysausage234 in reply to Hidden]

Dogs are the best ....unconditional love..cats too when they want food 😊my cat ignores me most of the time ,think she’s ashamed to be seen with me outside

[Hidden in reply to Sillysausage234]

LOL I can attest to the food thing, but mine do show affection outside of food. But I know not all cats are like that. Yet dogs are just straight-up happy affection machines.

[mrmonk]

It's hard for me to speak about my cat, but she has been the only companion to whom I've ever been emotionally, instinctively tethered.

[Hidden in reply to mrmonk]

My aunt is very similar to you in that she feels her cats are the few creatures who truly love and appreciate her without judgment. Pets are certainly a beautiful gift.

[CatIsMyCopilot]

I have a black cat too! I've had other cats in my life, but she's by far the most affectionate of all of them. She loves being cuddled and hugged. I wish I could let her sleep with me, but my sleep is so fragile these days due to my anxiety, so I have to keep her out of the bedroom at night, haha.

[Hidden in reply to CatIsMyCopilot]

Yes! Black cat owners unite! That's so precious...and to think people refuse to adopt black cats due to superstition! Your kitty sounds so lovable, that really warms my heart. But what a shame that she can't stay in your bedroom. Sleep is more important, but perhaps one day things will change. Thanks for telling me about your friend

[sallyw_12 in reply to Hidden]

I have a black cat too! I’ll admit she is a bit of a stereotypical aloof cat, but it just warms more heart all the more when she is affectionate. She sleeps with me most nights, and if i’m having trouble sleeping, I pull her up close to me and the purring is calming and helps me sleep.

[Hidden in reply to sallyw_12]

The clan continues to grow! Ha, well, some are like that for sure. Doesn't mean they don't love any less, right? Wow...I really love when I hear things like that. I am so glad you have such a wonderful companion!

[fauxartist]

I have had cats my whole life, they have been my life preserver in rough waters growing up in a dysfunctional situation, and to this day...I always have a cat or two. Now we have four outside mousers that are 3rd generation, that have a lovely outside house and a converted garage all nicely insulated and cozy, we live in the country....then we have the rescue baby who is inside only, miss 'Betty the Bold', who does not think she is a cat. She rules the roost here and we are here to serve....

[Hidden in reply to fauxartist]

Wow, your living situation sounds idealistic to someone like me. To be out in the open, one with nature sounds so peaceful. But how nice to have a furry crew by your side to keep you company. Whoa, you certainly are a cat lover, that's for sure. How cool though to have had that long of a generation of cats! So glad you have a fantastic cat haven setup

[fauxartist in reply to Hidden]

they are our little gardening buddies, they were all born in our room in the house, and eventually when weaned made their way to their outside home...They love to sit with us and get their bellies rubbed when we hang out with them. All of them are well taken care of, and we encourage everyone to make sure to get their animals fixed, wormed, and always well fed so they hang around and don't wonder off looking for a meal. We have one male who just was not very good at being a neighborhood romeo, so he has finally given up the wonder lust and is now lounging on the grass with his sisters and mom most days. Yes...I am very blessed to have a beautiful garden and nothing but fields of green with cows grazing behind us.

[Hidden]

My kittehs have saved my life. I need to stay alive for them. They are my emotional support animals. They bring such joy and unconditional love. I highly recommend getting a pet if you are able. Adopt! Don't shop!

All my kittehs are rescues. I saved 2 black kitten twin sisters from the pound. They were the gentlest, sweetest kittehs ever. Sadly, they both died in their senior years, and I miss them terribly.

Right now I have 3 senior kittehs. They are my best friends.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

That's so beautiful! I feel the same exact way about my girls. Both of my black kitties were adopted from rescue shelters as well. They look like sisters but are three years apart. I'm sorry to hear you lost your precious babies. It's nice to have new friends to love and cuddle!

[StayPositive333]

I take care of feral cats... 4 to be exact but others do come along. 2 of them i can actually pet as they are happy to be fed and they all wait for me to show up. They are my comfort.

I also feed wild ducks.. mainly the babies + their moms. I live on the back bay (intercoastal) so nature abouts.. hard corn is what i fed them as breads can stunt their flying powers. 50 lb bags. They are appreciative and I literally have them eating out of my hands!

Back to the cats, they are about a mile away and I fed them every day so they definatly make sure I get out and move at least once a day!

[Hidden in reply to StayPositive333]

Wow, good for you! That's a lot of cats! They sound like such a pleasure to have around. Gah, ducks are so fun! They are so sweet when you're able to have a good relationship going. We owned ducks in my teen years when I still lived at home. It was definitely a unique experience. Very sweet creatures indeed. So glad you were able to experience that as well!

That's so precious! I am sure they love you to bits.

[StayPositive333 in reply to Hidden]

Great post you made as I'm sure all are comforted by their pets and animals. Bringing in some good positive thoughts...

[Hidden in reply to StayPositive333]

Thank you kindly. I'm trying my best to be a good influence to folks here and in real life. Finding the good in things in life is something that's easy to forget when you're depressed. It's my own struggle at times as I can be quite pessimistic, but it only takes one person to change the way you feel.

[AlLeYkAt86-]

6 Cats, 1 Dog, leave bags of peanuts and bird food out for squirrels/birds/chipmunks/groundhogs/hobgoblins/whatever else is in the backyard

[Hidden in reply to AlLeYkAt86-]

Ha! You have quite the zoo there! How nice to have such a nice variety of pets! You're like an animal whisper, huh?

[AlLeYkAt86- in reply to Hidden]

We had a groundhog that would eventually come sit on our lap and loved apples and coneflower in addition to peanuts. After some time we could pet him and he would respond when we'd come outside knowing it meant food. Next spring he must have found fancier people with a more varied menu.

[Hidden in reply to AlLeYkAt86-]

That's so cool! I've never heard of anything like that before! You're like a Disney princess with animals lol

[AlLeYkAt86- in reply to Hidden]

A friend at work sent me a gif with snow white surrounded by birds and deer and bunnies and what not. So yes Alley Cat is a Disney Princess apparently.....

[Hidden in reply to AlLeYkAt86-]

Best job ever.

[quitter333]

Yes.

Also while I eternally will love ferrets, cat and dog love is the best. Cats will actually see you are sad and will some and calmly snuggle near you, cat purring was called "medical" throughout history. And dogs will simply love you, which is amazingly nice for stressed people.

[Hidden in reply to quitter333]

Yes, I agree with you. They really understand us and love us in a way that no other human can sometimes. It's truly a blessing to have such things in our lives.

[Kat63]

Pets are quite simply the best thing in life, bar none.

[Hidden in reply to Kat63]

100% agree with you there!

[travelmama46]

I have 2 wiener dogs <3. They are my best buds and their presence calms me completely. They seem to know whenever I'm struggling and love me for me.

[Hidden in reply to travelmama46]

YES!!! Oh my goodness...they are so cute. My aunt had two of them while we were growing up. Such sweetie pies! So happy they give you so much joy and love you to bits!

[travelmama46 in reply to Hidden]

They are cute :). They make funny faces and their long bodies and little feet make me smile.

[Hidden in reply to travelmama46]

Their short little legs and arms are the best. Those little faces are the best too

[Dolphin14]

I had a weiner lol

He was my best friend for 14 years.

[sunsets44]

Yes, pets are absolutely amazing, and I've had some pets get me through some terrible dark times in my life. They are angels sent from above, for sure.

[Dolphin14 in reply to sunsets44]

Do you still have pets?

🐬