The past few days, I've lost one of my family members - my cat - and I haven't been coping well with it. My depression over the past few years has somewhat stabilized; it was still very much present, and made daily activities difficult, but not demobilizing like it used to be.
I didn't realize how much joy my cat had brought into my life. It's not just the grief of losing a loved one, it's the grief of losing everything almost. The happy memories, the happiness she just brought in general, the affection, the lovingness, the playfulness, etc.
Her being gone for this long period of time has made me realize how she made it easier for me to try harder to improve myself - for both of our sakes. It was hard to get up and feed myself in the past, but since I had gotten her, I would wake up every morning at the same time to make sure she got fed. Taking care of her was easier for me than taking care of myself.
And in general, I just felt more calm with her. I wasn't anxious when I pat on her, I wasn't anxious when we cuddled. I just felt... calm. Happy. Even if it was temporary, even if it wasn't changing my situation. She provided that for me.
I was curious if anyone has experienced something similar - joy or motivation that's been caused from your pets, or just the concept of animals or the concept of taking care of them in general, improved your depression or anxiety at all? If so, why do you think that is?
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Ladylike
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My dog Walter (a Weimaraner) helped me to be able to feel and experience unconditional love for the first time and helped me be a better human being. i adored him and knew he adored me. I also later had another Weim named Jolie that I also adored and had so much joy and fun with her and I was totally gutted when she passed on to her next life. I was not prepared for how much it hurt and the depth of pain I felt over her loss, it's been 5 years now and it still hurts when I think of her. There is nothing like the experience of unconditional love, so grateful to have had it inspite of the pain.
I relate a lot to the feeling unconditional love part. She taught me a type of love that I had never experienced before - I never felt anger, or sadness, or hopelessness towards her or in general. Like, the love made me feel so warm inside and happy - because to love another creature like that is so pure in nature. It's an amazing feeling that's hard to describe sometimes. It's not like she cured my illnesses, but she made it easier for me. I agree that I'm grateful to experienced it, despite the pain of loss and grief.
Yes! Our pets (three large dogs and two tiny cats) are very much family. I am so sorry you lost your Daisy, it's the world's suckiest feeling. Gut wrenching and horrible and hit harder than any human loss I've experienced.
They make me smile every day. Watching their silly antics, watching them sleep peacefully, petting them, grooming them, or just watching TV together.
You sound like you have a lot to give. Have you maybe considered fostering?
I want to do fostering, but I'd be so heartbroken to love a creature like that and then have them leave me. I'm not sure if that makes me emotionally immature or what, but the thought of making that cat feel safe with me and then they seeing that I'm giving them to someone else - I don't know how to cope with that concept just yet.
Where we are, foster parents can always call "dibs" first and "foster fails" are pretty much expected. I'm so sorry for the loss of your Daisy and don't want to suggest that you just rush to fill that void. Hugs!
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I'm so sorry for the loss of your Daisy and don't want to suggest that you just rush to fill that void. Hugs!
Realizing your kid inherited depression/anxiety...yikes!
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