Hey hey from a newbie :D

[Gertie17]

Hey there all,

First post here by me - have had a bit of a look around the forums so far and like what I am seeing - you guys all seem like a nice supportive bunch with some good suggestions and that is exactly what I am hoping to find.

I decided to join a forum instead of just some of the pages and groups on social media as at least here it's a bit more anonymous and I am hoping I don't get certain folk trying to play 'games' with me in real life or on my personal social media page with regards to things I may bring up in here. Some people can be so cruel and it is not warranted 😞

Anyhow - I dont have human kids of my own but do have fur kids of various species. Cats, Dog, Horses/Ponies and a Donkey who is in his mid 40s now and starting to 'get old' - but still adorable. I live with one of my best friends who is also my carer and her nearly teenage daughter.

I have long suffered from BiPolar Disorder, PTSD, Fibromyalgia, POTS, Spondylolisthesis, Chronic Pain and a bit more of a list.... bundle of fun fun fun ... Trying to see the positive side of things can be pretty hard at times, and it gets hard to tell whether things are 'new' or if they are caused/stem from one of the other bits thats wrong and doesnt work...

For years I have been told to 'get rid of the animals' - but seriously - and I am sure that a lot of folk are in the same boat - if I was to do that - it would negate the reason to get up in the morning and to force myself to go outside or go on. Thankfully my parents are wonderful - though getting older now which is also starting to stress me out a bit - I am now in my mid 40s as well (probably why I get on so well with my donkey!)... The critters stay - though numbers have dwindled greatly, and i know they have to drop more - I am really struggling with that decision at present.

Anyhow - I've rambled enough - i just wanted to pop in here and say hi - and hope to be able to chat to you all on a regular basis and hope that in some small way I may be of support to someone as well.

Cheers,
Gertie17

[blondguy]

Hello Gertie17

Welcome to the forums and thankyou for posting too!

Im Paul and have been here since January last year after my depression spiked again after 20 years...doh!

The forums are a rock solid & safe place to post.....as you would have noticed anyway 🙂 The forums are also a judgemental free zone too which is good for all of us. I am here to help people in 'pain' with their anxiety or depression and our moderators and management do not tolerate any people taking advantage of others on the forums Gertie

You are a dedicated animal lover and that speaks volumes about your heart not to mention the pain and anguish you have been going through with your own personal circumstances

I have been involved in K9 rescue for years and have a Chow Chow/German Shep 65kilo rescued 4 legged person asleep behind me as he finds the forums so boring..;-)]

There are many gentle people on the forums that can be here for you Gertie....no worries at all!

You havent rambled at all. I really hope you can stick around the forums (if you wish) and you are more than welcome to jump in and provide support to others as well too!

Your best friend is an angel Gertie...seriously....

I know a lot of about dogs and their behavior but zero about donkeys....In his 40's???...What is your donkey's name?

My kindest thoughts for you Gertie17

Paul

[Mathy]

Hi Gertie and welcome to the B.B. forums 🙂

Health wise, things look difficult for you, on the plus side, you have a lot of experience and know your boundaries/limitations. I’m 61yo, I get the thing about new stuff popping up, and what’s that all about?

I like your concern for your fur kids. Please tell me if I’m wrong, but, with your parents aging, are you wondering about help in managing the fur kids? Do you need their assistance to maintain your fur family?

Absolutely agree that pets are real motivators for maintaining structure in our lives, and provide a myriad of benefits in return. A 40yo donkey, I’m in awe, he must be amazing.

I loook forward to hearing more about how you’re going and the fur kids too, cheers M 🙂

[BballJ]

Hi Gertie17,

Firstly, welcome to the forums. I read your post and had to write a reply, I wanted to join in on blondguy (Paul) & Mathy's comments above to you which as per usual were great.

These forums are 100% safe and is a great supportive community as you said, I came here seeking help but had to stay to help others because the people who helped me, inspired me, they know who they are.

It sounds like you have been through so much and still maintain a positive attitude which is simply amazing, I like the fact you have fur babies and the more the merrier in my opinion, animals have one heck of healing affect for mental health sufferers in my opinion. My dog is a shining light in my life.

Please, post back as much as you like, we are always happy to talk, even if it is just for a chat or about how you are feeling.

My best for you,

Jay

[Gertie17]

Thanks folk - you guys rock..... what a wonderful warm welcome 😄

Thought I would clarify - nope - the parentals live about 900km away so they arent any help to me re looking after the critters - just worries me greatly that they are aging and that causes me some stress and sleeplessness at times - I kind of didnt put that quite in the right spot there did I with my initial post? lol ....

My housemate and her daughter are awesome - they are so into the animals as well and have their own dogs and cats, and the daughter doesnt know it yet but one of the foals is her Christmas and Birthday present .... the little one in my profile pic.... lucky duck. She adores the horses and is loving the little ones as they are nice and easy to deal with. The bigger ones intimidate her a little - as is to be expected - though she has managed to copy my 'growl' (animal folk will know that it is entirely possible to drop your voice about 5 octaves in a split second and tell them NO or 'STAND UP' without skipping a beat in what else you are doing.... lol)

As for my donkey - his name is Winky Wonky Donkey - have you ever seen the youtube video of the song of that name? He is kind of like that.... hes got a broken voice box - so it takes him forever to get a single proper bray out - the rest of the time he sounds like an asthmatic chicken.... hes so proud of himself when he does get the sound out.... - he has a tattered ear - dog attack about 25 years ago or so apparently, a fallen crest and saggy butt - someone let him get wayyyyy too fat at some stage... donks dont regain their figures like horses do... they get left with cellulite - the fallen crest has caused a few issues with his neck - but he copes just fine.... and he had awful feet when I got him... he has been my buddy for about 6 years or so now ... and used to be a fauna park donkey years ago, then had a couple of homes when that closed. He is with me for life now ... and he LOVES ear rubs.... and hot chips/chicken burgers... hes weird - I like that about him....

I find it so frustrating that when I have a 'good' day, I go out and do stuff - like fencing (LOVE fencing), or do something constructive with the animals (I do everything from sitting on a milk crate as I cant stand for long) - then pay for it for a week and cant move... then I find the moods dip and I end up spiraling downwards... Im sure you guys know what thats like.

I look forward to chatting more with you guys

[Mathy]

Hey Gertie,

Thanks for getting back. Sorry about my misinterpretation of your parental angst. However, having aging parents 900km away is not fun either. Do they have any of your siblings nearby, or are you an only child?

I live with Anxiety/Depression/PTSD, have done so for the last 15 years. I have an Italian Greyhound (IG), who is my fur kid. They are so quirky, she’s probably the maintenance time of 2 small dogs lol. I joined because I finally came to the realisation that the MH issues were’t going to go away, and I’d better start getting serious about them. I joined BB in order to relate to like minded people, Wonderful group here.

I love the sound of your donkey. Looking forward to hearing more about him (and you, of course). I’ve recently became an amateur expert in the living and matrimonial habits of sparrows - but that’s a whole different story 🙂

Glad you came back, talk to you soon, cheers M 🙂

[meercat]

Hello Gertie. Welcome fr meercat. 43 yrs bipolar. Where does ur name come from?

Pets are wonderful company. Yes You have to get up and feed them. Yours must take a long time.

On BB youll find many people who have a good idea how u r feeling.

Iv never had horses or a 40 yo donkey..luv the name..Cats dogs budgies rabbits guinea pigs u name it were all welcome at our place.

Its not easy with elderly rellies so far away. My mum is in WA, im in NSW, and her carer has just passed away and im the only surviving relly who can handle things.

When i cant sleep i put some music on. Any music will do but i find classical works best.

I try to drift off and imagine how life was in say Beethoven's time..how did he feel when he lost his hearing in the middle of composing symphonies. Or mozart, did he dislike wearing itchy wigs..anything silly that comes to mind soon stops whe wheels turning.

meercat xx

[BballJ]

Hi Gertie17,

Your animal really do sound awesome, the donkey sounds like such a character and your description really paints a picture of him and that is awesome, I think all the things you described really allow you to share a special bond and mental health and animal seem to go hand in hand as even though they cannot talk they almost say a 1000 things with their sheer presence. I am glad you have them in your life.

The moods dipping is something I am 100% familiar with, happens a lot with mental health sufferers as you would be aware, just need to keep our heads up and stay as positive as we possibly can.

My best,

Jay

[Pipey]

Hi I to have lots of pets and have also received people's opinions on my decision to have them I find that if people understand the support you can feel along with the companionship and lack of judgement you can have from your fur friends then they wouldn't be telling you what they think you should do with your pets. I have eight dogs because I use to rescue them. I no longer do that but I have a pug and her two babies which I delivered. One I resuscitated and have a strong bond with she is loyal and non judgmental, qualities you don't always find in humans. You do what makes you happy because that's what's important.

[Gertie17]

Hey guys, apologies as I thought I replied but must have had a brain fart and not hit send.... doh...

Have been awol the last little while - not doing so great - but will try to answer questions first then if theres any energy left - fill you in on whats doing.

Mathey, all good - I do have one sibling - my 2yrs younger brother - life is busy for all of us - but we do keep in touch via FB and ring each other a few times a year - as well as keep up with what we are doing via Mum and Dad... IG'ys are awesome - lovely dogs... 😄 Matrimonial habits of sparrows? Do tell...

Hiya Meercat - funny - I was looking through my pics and nearly used a pic I took of a meerkat as my profile pic.... that would have gotten confusing. lol Ok so the name Gertie comes from my poppa calling his car Gertie when I was a kid - and I was reminded of that not too long ago and decided that was it.

Classical music is awesome to try to fall asleep to - but I find i really get into the instruments and it keeps me awake longer. lol

BballJ - thanks - yes Im so pleased I have my animals - however Im having a major meltdown at present - I know its now time to part with my beloved big ones - so three of my beautiful big horses will be heading off when i find them new homes. This is heartbreaking but it has to be done I think.... I just cannot do it any more 😞 My big stallion is the one that is going to kill me to part with.

Pipey - nawwwww on your pug and her babies.... yes agreed animals have qualities you will not always find in people.

Yep so as I said - not going too well at present - will have a look around and see if theres a better spot in the forum to put that in though.....

Thanks for the support guys.... much much much appreciated.