Posted by Racer on August 31, 2008, at 16:28:00
In reply to Re: validation » Racer, posted by seldomseen on August 31, 2008, at 15:51:18
> >
> Transference and pets? Well, I have four rescued cats, a hand-me-down guinea pig and a dog from foster care. Not to mention all the rescue animals I work with on my volunteer vocation. I think that just about says it all.
Ah, but do you tolerate abusive behavior from them which mimics the dynamics of your childhood?Short version of cat story: cat was so unpredictable and so aggressive in his attacks, that after three years of working with vets, behavioral experts from a top veterinary school, and even a cat psychic (I'm so skeptical that the last is proof that I really did exhaust every avenue), the end result was a consensus of expert opinion that he should be put to sleep. As it happens, everyone else said the same thing.
But I was acting out transference -- that's all I can figure out. My relationship with this cat was so similar to that with my mother -- me desperately trying to gain the love/approval/cessation of blood loss/whatever from them, and getting attacked in return. So, I couldn't follow the vet's advice -- I hadn't fixed that recreated dynamic, and I had a desperate need to do so.
I was about to say that the thing with the cat worked out better -- then I realized my mother and I have gotten along very well for a number of years now, so maybe I had some success with both relationships...
poster:Racer
thread:849022
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20080826/msgs/849511.html