Pet Appreciation Thread

Girl_Anachronism · ‎14-03-2014

Good Morning All,

I was watching my two cats this morning and realised just how much they have helped me. I have been in a low place for such a long time, that honestly a week or two ago, the only reason I could stand to wake up and get out of bed was because my two beautiful cats needed me to feed them, to love them. I would then go back to bed on the worst days. The only reason I didn't attempt to take my own life was the thought that they would need me tomorrow to do the same. I could go from unable to cry in despair to actually smiling and laughing at one of my cats chasing each other or jumping up on the bed for some love and attention. Since then I have another thing- a project I am working on to hold me here that I am actually enjoying. I haven't enjoyed something in months.

So while I know that there are many aspects to recovering- health professionals, family, friends, these forums and medication. All of which I need to combine to get better. I am not that much better at the moment, but I am a little better. I wouldn't have been here to feel this, if it weren't for my beautiful cats.

So this post is dedicated not only to my two furry friends, Sydney and Mayflower, but to all the pets out there, be they cats or dogs or rabbits or fish. When we feel at our lowest and we can't possibly talk to another human bieng, our pets come up to us and ask for nothing than to be in our company. Sometimes they save us from ourselves.

GA

geoff · ‎26-06-2014

dear GA, I have just come back from the vet where Moo-Moo has been on cortisone tablets to stop her from scratching her little tummy, legs and you know what, but she has put on 1 1/2 kgs, because these tablets make her hungry, so the vet has put her on a strict diet.

It's not so much Moo-Moo, it's me that has to not give in to her, and feed her some little treats, I have to be strong. L Geoff. x

AGrace · ‎26-06-2014

Yesterday I braved the cold Melbourne weather and ventured outside to play with my cat Loulou and a bunch of leaves that had fallen from our neighbors tree. She had so much fun chasing leaves and attacking them. I felt like a child again. It was the best 10 minutes of the entire day. When we came back inside we both cosied up on the couch with her favourite blanket and had a cat nap. She is the epitome of unconditional love:)

Girl_Anachronism · ‎26-06-2014

Hi Geoff,

I know that temptation all too well. I had to step up the feeding schedule as Elsa, being a kitten required being fed more than twice a day. Little did I know that Mayflower was sneaking food at the same time. So Mayflower got quite round around the middle over the past weeks. I have since cut back the feeding schedule to two times a day, which Elsa seems happy with, though is a little more insistent in the mornings. Mayflower is looking a little more like her long lean self.

Agrace - I can just imagine the chaos the leaves would have caused. Mine are indoor kitties and love chasing cat toys like mice and balls around the house. The problem is sometimesthey like chasing socks and foam Nerf bullets around the house. Mayflower has taken to attacking the socks when they are on my feet.

GA

HelenM · ‎27-06-2014

I just love animals. We have a rescue dog called Cassie. She has separation anxiety and wants to be with us all the time. I love it when she's lying on the bed when I'm going to sleep at night. Our last dog, Nemo - the fish was named after her - was a german shepherd, another rescue dog. I adored her. She died in 2009 at 15 years old. I still miss her.

AGrace · ‎27-06-2014

We split our bed in 3's every night. 1/3 has to go to the cat! My partner often says we're like sardines in a can! Goodness knows what we'll do when a child comes along. I wouldn't give it up for the world, seeing her face, and hearing her "maa" (she cant seem to meouw) as soon as I wake up is priceless. ...if only she could learn to self feed and make a cup of tea....Sometimes she's my reason for getting out of bed in the morning.

Girl_Anachronism · ‎27-06-2014

I am currently in a single bed and I only get half if I am lucky, the other half goes to my 6 month old kitten who can take up a surprisingly large amount of room when she tries (see my profile pic). On the bed I have three pillows. I get the flat one and semi fluffy one. The new big fluffy one is where my other cat, Mayflower sleeps. I am not the master of this relationship.

I woke up this morning and fed the cats then was tired enough to go back to bed. I managed to fall asleep and when I woke I had Elsa, the kitten stretched across my stomach and hips and Mayflower curled around one leg. This despite the fact I left them their half of the bed. I tell you I never felt so loved and didn't want to move. Who needs hot water bottles when you have cats.

GA

HelenM · ‎28-06-2014

I would love to have a cat. Growing up we always had one and I had a ginger girl (unusual) called Morag when I was with my first husband. We live too near a main road, but I couldn't get a rescue cat who needed to be indoors because my 2nd husband isn't a lover of cats. Eventually when we lose Cassie, our dog we feel we couldn't get another due to problems going away. Cats don't cause such a problem here. I'm really going to have to do some persuading.

Girl_Anachronism · ‎28-06-2014

Pets I general have such therapeutic qualities . I really hope you can get a rescue cat. All my cats have been rescue cats. All they want is a home, a little food, a warm place to sleep, a little company and some love.

GA

HelenM · ‎29-06-2014

I hope so too GA. Your cat looks lovely. And I love it when people get rescue pets.

Maybe it's wrong but I prefer animals to people. Whatever they do it's instinct, never nasty. Only humans deliberately cause pain to other living things.

Helen x

geoff · ‎29-06-2014

dear All, well I wasn't sure who to address this too because all your replies are just so lovely.

Beds, well I have a queen size bed and sometimes when I want to turn over I'm just as likely to fall out of bed.

So far so good with Moo-Moo and her diet, I feel as though I have to wear blinkers, like horses do, because it's the look they give you 'please please a little more', but then I get the usual comments from people 'what do feed her, oh not that, you should give her -------------------whatever.

Anyway she's asleep now so she can't eat. lol. L Geoff. x