Leaving Pet behind

[Guest_28892282]

I have been struggling recently. My partner and I moved to Thailand 3 years ago. It was supposed to be where we would stay forever. Both of us love it there. I'm half Thai, and have citizenship. The plan was to get married and live there together. I brought my 2 cats over from Australia to be with us as the renting situation in Australia was out of hand at the time and there would be no real way of finding them a home. Also, I have a loyalty to my pets, and the idea of giving them away for the sake of what would be more convenient for me didnt sit well. Knowing that Thailand was where we would be, we brought them with us. Things were going great, especially in our last year in Thailand. We found a place to live together, I was staying with my family prior to that with the cats while my partner stayed in a condo in the city. He wasn't able to stay with me due to some challenges with my family's religious views. When it became apparent that my family all had to move out and live separately for an extended period, my partner and I took this opportunity to move out and try move forward with things. I found a job as an English Teacher and my partner worked online. He would stay at home with the cats while I was at work. The little place we were renting was humble but such a serene and beautiful spot. We would walk outside amongst the other residents and all the animals (pet friendly properties) would be playing together in the common areas. It was just so blissful. Anyway, in this year, while we were both working and living together, my family were using their connections with immigration to try and get my partner's visa cancelled. (This kind of this is possible in Thailand if you know the right people). They were against my partner and I living together, even though we've been together in a serious relationship for 4 years. Well, anyway, it worked and my partner's visa got cancelled by some strings they managed to pull. We are now back in Australia, but due to biosecurity laws in Australia, we weren't able to bring our cats with us. We are currently renting in Thailand and Renting in Australia whilst having housesitters live and care for them there. Im required to be in Australia for at least 2 years because of my career and I am struggling so much. I feel like I've just been grieving for months and yearning to back there with them. I have been getting anxiety and feeling depressed and just having feelings that are completely out of character for me. 

[indigo22]

Hello,

Welcome and thank you for reaching out to us.

I am sorry to hear of the position you have been put in, by your own family no less. That is an extremely manipulative thing to do to your own child. I love my animals like family too, so I can empathise with your sadness about not being able to be together.

Is there a possibility for you to do a trip back every few months to see them? I know this would be costly so I understand if that is not a possibility. You are making sure they are cared for which I am sure they appreciate, but I know that doesn't change how you feel about the situation.

I have to wonder how much your family thought through those actions. At least they had you near even if they didn't agree with your choices, now they have driven you away to another country and have no control over what you do anyway. Unfortunately, religion gets in the way of the ability to see another's point of view, but as an adult, you have every right to live life the way you choose. I imagine you would be feeling very betrayed by their actions.

Have you been able to get some help from a counsellor? I think this would be helpful at present so that you don't sink too deeply into an unhealthy mental state. If you need some advice on how to go about it, I would be happy to help.

Please feel free to continue this conversation if you wish.

Take good care of yourself,

indigo