I am a big dog lover — maybe a bit obsessed — which is somewhat surprising. When I was young, I was attacked by a few dogs and, as a result, I didn’t like them for the longest time. I wasn’t a “dog person.”
I used to be one of those adults who said they didn’t have the time to take care of a pet. I’ve always said I was too busy, I didn’t want to spend the money, and that having a pet was too much like having a child. It would be too much responsibility — or so I thought. I now have two dogs and a cat, and I want more pets. But I need a bigger house first!
My daughter kept asking for a puppy, so a few years ago I finally gave in. We got a Maltese and named him Riley. Since then, we added more pets: Palmer (my cat) and Cujo (my new pup). This makes five of us now in my household.
At first, I thought getting pets would be more like a burden. But now I can’t believe I didn’t get them sooner. Yes, you have to feed them, take care of them and vet visits aren’t cheap, but having a dog/cat is so worth it.
I have realized that having them around has helped me tremendously to deal with my severe depression.
On really bad days, I don’t want to get out of bed or do anything. But they crawl in bed with me and tell me to get my butt up to feed them, so I do. Knowing I have to feed, walk, or take care of them gives me a sense of purpose.
Some days, I don’t even want to be bothered nor talk to anyone. And it seems like they can sense that I am not feeling okay, so they get close to me and I start to feel a little better.
My pets give me comfort, companionship, and love.
Having depression makes you feel lonely and isolated, but they remind me that I’m not alone. They are always there giving me unconditional love. Even when I am just feeling under the weather, having them around is extraordinarily soothing.
I love seeing their faces. How happy they are to be with me makes it all better. My pets are a source of pure happiness, I literally have so much contentment just being at home, petting or playing with them. When I come home after a long stressful day they never fail to greet me in the most exciting way. They’re always there to comfort me on really rough days.
Pets are the best creatures in the world.
Do you have a pet? If so, please share how they have changed your life in the comments.
Featured image via Valerie Elash on Unsplash
Random lurker here. My fiancé recently left me, but the cat we got together (who is now mine full time) has been so instrumental in helping me get through each day. Every morning when I wake up, instead of being tormented by thoughts that my ex is no longer there, I am greeted by my cat. As soon as she sees that Im waking up, she jumps onto the bed and just purrs away. It’s amazing how perceptive animals can truly be. Im so incredibly thankful for my little goofball cat.