Pets and Depression

[Paul]

For a lot of GLBTI folks, our pets are family. (Yes Maggie you're Daddy's girl) Sorry - my cat gave me a look!

I saw a very moving animation on facebook the other day. It is of a girl sitting in her bedroom on the floor with her head on her folded arms which are resting on her knees. She's clearly upset. Her cat walks in and pushes its way through her folded arms and gives her a big snuggle. It's so beautiful.

Do you have a pet that provides you comfort when you're feeling down?

Paul

[Doolhof]

Hi Paul,

I believe that pets are great therapy for a whole range of people. Animals are even great company for each other.

I would love to have a dog but my husband does not like them at all. We do have a cat but she really is so aloof and not at all affectionate. She doesn't even like to sit on our laps or be help.

At the same time, we love her. Some of her antics are so funny, she makes us laugh.

Presently we have some sheep we are borrowing from a farmer as "lawn mowers" they have done such a great job they have eaten their way through just about everything in the yard including the trees!

One of the sheep comes running up to me baaing when she hears me approaching. She now lets me pat her face and rub the top of her head. I am going to miss her so much when she returns to the farm.

Animals are wonderful aren't they!

We were unable to have children, so pets are the next best thing, after other people's children.

Thanks for your positive post!

Cheers form Mrs. Dools

[Gruffudd]

Well that is something I have been thinking about for some time. The last cat, Astrid, was my brothers cat but adopted me. She always knew when I needed cheering up, followed me around everywhere, even on the trams. 

[Paul]

Hi Mr Dools,

I've read a lot of your posts - Hugs!

The sheep that runs up to you sounds really cute. Some animals have such a distinct personality you'd think they were a human, or they think they are human!

I like having my cat around when I'm feeling crap, even though she's not really cuddly, she'll want to sit near me or in the same room.

Paul xx

[Paul]

Hey Rob,

Have you been thinking of getting a cat?

Paul

[Gruffudd]

 I have been thinking about getting a cat, but mother doesn't like them, not that it should stop me there are a few boyfriends she didn't like either, but she may have been right. Then there is a dog. Decisions are difficult things.

[Paul]

Correction - That's MRS Dools (Sorry Mrs Dools)

[Doolhof]

Hi Lats,

 That's okay. When my sister and I were young, our Mum cut our hair really short. As we were entering the ladies toilets one day, a guy shouted out to us and asked us what we were doing going into the men's toilets!

We were both so upset and declared we were actually girls, we just looked like boys!

Either way, male or female, pets are great companions. We also have 4 chooks. They come out into the garden with me. A couple of them especially stay close to see what I will dig up for them.

One of my friends has a daughter who has a pet chook and 6 cats that sleep on her bed at night. She puts a nappy on the chook! I am not sure how that works really with tail feathers! Ha. Ha.

Pets certainly come in all shapes and sizes don't they!

Cheers from Mrs. Dools