![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 4 to 28 of 41. Go back in thread:
Posted by stjames on August 29, 2000, at 0:18:24
In reply to Re: Pets and depression » stjames, posted by Cam W. on August 28, 2000, at 23:24:24
A siamese befriended me one morning so I took it as a portant
and have always had siamese since. Minerva was the first, then Pandora
and Coco, who are lost to predators common to New Mexico, and now
Mirabien, the lynx point. I'm allergic to cats but grow used to my cats. The unconditional love is great
and the services of my "kitty bed warmers" in the winter is welcom. Cats are such low mantance, food,
water, a catbox, and love is all that is required. All my cats are/were halter trained and
I actually tried to leash train the flame point, Pandora. It was more like "drag the kitty" !
I have discovered cats do like to take walks with you if they are in control. I live rural
so Mirabien and I take walks often. She does not like me going down by the river, the coyotee's
call from across it at night. The mesa is her favotite route, it is safer there and up high.
I'm considering getting a blue point next, but that will cost. The 2 seals and the lynx point
were/are pound kitties.All animals like me, I smell right. The most neurotic cat, my friends called it "Mike Tyson on Acid",
came right up to me and lay down in my lap. He does not do this with anyone.
james
Posted by shar on August 29, 2000, at 0:27:59
In reply to Re: Pets and depression » stjames, posted by Cam W. on August 28, 2000, at 23:24:24
James,
You probably know about the studies that show that petting a dog lowers blood pressure, that people feel most comfortable talking about a stressful, personal problem when their (not spouse, not best friend) dog is in the room with them. And, in nursing homes dogs have been known to bond with people who have been very solitary and isolated.I am definitely one of those annoying "Love me, love my dogs" people.
My dogs have taught me a lot about trust and love. My first dog, Scruffles, a border collie and smarter than me, took better care of my heart than anyone else ever has. She's in Doggie Heaven now, and I asked her to stay with Suzanne as long as needed, and I can't wait to get to Doggie Heaven myself.
My two current dogs were abused and I got them as adults, so my relationship with them is a bit different than with Scruffles. I got Scruff when she was 6-weeks. Scruffles taught my son how to be a loving and nurturing "parent."
My current dogs, Shadow and Lamar, both had to be brought out of their shells. I have learned a lot about what patient and consistent love can do. It took Lamar a year to wag his tail when I loved on him(mainly petting him, cooing, and a few puppy kisses). That tail wag was a significant moment, and now he will come over and nudge me to get petted. A BIG accomplishment.
Shadow would hardly look at me when I got her. She now barks, and has an attitude. She thinks she's pretty cool...And that is a joy for me to see. She will put up with my petting, and tolerates a few puppy kisses, but she would much rather be playing Lambie Toy, running around, rolling on her back, etc.
So, when I get home it's leaping and barking and two dogs smiling, and Lamar tries to go up the steps to the house but I had to teach him steps and he can't do them under pressure, so I sing-song "Lamar, move, Lamar, Lamaaaar--moooove." etc.
I am definitely alpha, and the dogs are really well behaved. I think it means a lot to me--like evidence I am a good parent. We are all good for each other.
Good question/thread. Thanks!
Shar
Posted by stjames on August 29, 2000, at 0:33:05
In reply to Re: Pets and depression, posted by shar on August 29, 2000, at 0:27:59
My dogs have taught me a lot about trust and love.
James here....
Yes. Show trust and be consistant and any animal
will be your friend. There is a good lesson here.james
Posted by stjames on August 29, 2000, at 0:51:14
In reply to Re: Pets and depression » stjames, posted by Cam W. on August 28, 2000, at 23:24:24
> James - My daughter, Ana, got a kitten for her 5th birthday. It has been wonderful therapy for grief.
James here...I lost Coco a few months ago. I am careful but
she got out at night. Just a week prior, I had one of those random
thoughts about my cats, they only live ~15 yrs, so
watching such a nobile and graceful animal getting old will be hard.
And then Coco did not come back one night. I took some comfort in being blessed
with such a wonderful friend who I got to enjoy at her best. It does hurt. Wow, I am
crying ! Emotional release is good. When I lost Pandora Iwas on my way down and really took a dive.
So I was more perpaired for losing Coco. All I can do is trust in the wheel of
live, with it comings and goings, to bring me other nobile creatures to
love and enjoy.james
Posted by Snowie on August 29, 2000, at 6:55:48
In reply to Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 28, 2000, at 20:26:54
Good question! Yes, my cats, Sweddie and Snowie (I borrowed her name for my P-B nick), are the two special joys in my life. I love my babies more than I can say. Anyone who says that cats have no personality has never been around them, at least not mine. Mine give me unconditional love (especially when I'm trying to type on the computer) and only expect good food in return. What about you? Any pets of your own?
Snowie
> Anyone else have pet and find they are a great help
> in general and during depressions ?
>
> james
Posted by Snowie on August 29, 2000, at 7:08:12
In reply to Re: Pets and depression » stjames, posted by Snowie on August 29, 2000, at 6:55:48
>What about you? Any pets of your own?
Sorry, James. Your posts weren't there when I posted, but I didn't refresh my screen. We must have posted about the same time.
Snowie
> > Anyone else have pet and find they are a great help
> > in general and during depressions ?
> >
> > james
Posted by Cindy W on August 29, 2000, at 9:33:57
In reply to Re: Pets and depression to James, posted by Snowie on August 29, 2000, at 7:08:12
> >What about you? Any pets of your own?
>
> Sorry, James. Your posts weren't there when I posted, but I didn't refresh my screen. We must have posted about the same time.
>
> Snowie
>
> > > Anyone else have pet and find they are a great help
> > > in general and during depressions ?
> > >
> > > jamesJust fed the froggies, and the whites (treefrogs) turned a happy green. Now will feed the guinea pigs, before work, who always whistle that they are glad to see me. Also fed the kitchen froggies, who are waiting in their usual spots for a cricket from my hand. They really do help structure my life and remind me that to them, I'm important and that the time we spend together is a crucial part of their day. Reminds me that when I'm talking with other people and their problems seem trivial, they are still the most important thing to them at that moment and that life is very short.--Cindy W
Posted by mark on August 29, 2000, at 12:57:23
In reply to Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 28, 2000, at 20:26:54
After seeing the "Thin Man" series of movies I decided that I had to have a
Wire-hair Fox Terrier. After checking a few breeders we found that a "new" one
was too expensive - $500+. So we started looking for a used one. The Wire-hair
Fox Terrier Club of America put us in touch with a man who needed to get rid of his
because he was moving. We went and met "Happy" and fell in love. If a name ever
suited anyone or anything it was this dog and Happy. She was 1 year old when we
got her and ten years later she is still a loving, rambunctious, pain in the neck,
that has helped me tremendously.After a couple of years we decided that the dog needed some company so we got her
a cat. We went to the animal shelter and they really didn't have many kittens. We
walked by this one cage and as I was passing this little ball of fur rushed to the
front of the cage and grabbed my shirt. I was hooked in more ways than one. 'Muffin'
had been abandoned and had a badly infected eye. We took her to the vet and got it
cleared up. As a result there was some scarring in one eye and she has some resperatory
problems. She is a true cat - she only comes around when she thinks it's her idea. But
when she does she is one big bundle of love. Her purring and rubbing always puts a smile
on my face.Naturally a few years after that we decided that the cat needed a pet. So we got the cat a
cat. Talk about as different as night and day. "Burdeau" is an Ocicat which means he was bred
to have spots like an Ocelot. He's the social director. In the middle of everything, always in
your lap wanting to know what's going on. And what a talker! The other cat opens her mouth
but most of the time nothing comes out. Burdeau walks around the house talking up a storm.We're a dysfunctional family. But we put the FUN in dysfunctional!
Mark
Posted by SC on August 29, 2000, at 14:00:22
In reply to Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 28, 2000, at 20:26:54
I have lots of pets and livestock that are mostly pets and they have always given me a reason to get up and feed them all in the morning. First thing i do when i get up is go feed all my animals. I also have pretty bad arthritis and this doesnt help the situation but they keep me active and going. They also keep me company and really are my family as i live in a remote rural area by myself. I much prefer the company of animals and birds to humans on the whole.
Posted by noa on August 29, 2000, at 15:07:39
In reply to Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 28, 2000, at 20:26:54
I have heard that there are studies showing improved heart rates and blood pressure in older people and people with illnesses, who have pets. I think Johns Hopkins has a pet program in their inpatient eating disorders unit. And, I would imagine it would be great for anxiety symptoms.
Posted by Nibor on August 29, 2000, at 15:34:07
In reply to Re: Pets and depression, posted by noa on August 29, 2000, at 15:07:39
I'm sitting in my home/office, just finished proofreading The Mediterranean Way, a diet book for HarperCollins. Lucy (half German shepherd, half black Lab; 8 years old) stretched out to my right; Missy (half terrier, part Dachshund? who knows what else, beige; 16 years old) at about five o'clock behind me; and Max (chocolate standard poodle; ten months old) at seven o'clock behind me. Often one of them is at my feet and I use him or her as a footrest; not at the moment. They love me unconditionally, no matter how bad I look or how grouchy I get. I can feel the good healthy current running through my body (and mind) whenever I look at them. So I can't imagine being without a pet.
Nibor
Posted by stjames on August 29, 2000, at 16:19:54
In reply to Re: Pets and depression, posted by Nibor on August 29, 2000, at 15:34:07
and Max (chocolate standard poodle; ten months old) at seven o'clock behind me.
James here....
The standard poodle is one of my favorite canine
breeds. Really great pets !james
Posted by Racer on August 29, 2000, at 22:45:00
In reply to Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 28, 2000, at 20:26:54
I have three cats and one horse, work with eight additional horses.
The cats are usually a pain in the neck, but I'd be lost without them. My own horse, due to health problems and a lousy attitude, is often a worry to me. For example, she's terribly underweight. If she doesn't eat, is it because it's too hot today, but she'll eat later? Is she coming into heat and generally being snotty? Is there something so wrong I had better call the vet? Or is she complaining about the food in front of her? Or maybe just not hungry yet? She's nasty today, is she just expressing her evil nature? Not feeling well? Feeling TOO well because she needs to be ridden down more?
The other eight are more fun and frolic and work and frustration and generally relaxing. It's only my nasty, evil, sweet, beautiful, beloved mare who's a misery to me! Well, not a misery, just that she's very sick, and won't be with me much longer. I'm trying to give us the best time together we can have while we still have it. I'm also taking on too many other horses right now, I've never taken on more than five at a time before (there just aren't enough hours in a week!), so that I can be distracted from her, in hopes of having an easier time forming a bond later. I'd be in one hell of a position if I suddenly found myself without my mare, without the inclination to connect with another horse, and with few other ways to make a living! (Yes, I also do some computer work, but largely as a sideline.)
As for the cats, they may be demanding, domineering, yowling, fluffbrained beasts, but they're warm and cuddly and they keep me from levitating off the bed at night and being injured by the ceiling!
Posted by stjames on August 30, 2000, at 1:27:18
In reply to Re: Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 29, 2000, at 16:19:54
I'm a student of animal behavior. Some of this is book,
some observation, and some comes from Racer. Hey, Racer !When a cat rubs up against your legs it is not love but marking behavior.
"This is MINE" Rubbing with the tail and hind quarters is marking but with
the face shows affection. Most animals main sense is smell or hearing. Cats,
and others, have an additional sense organ, the jackobsons organ, behind the nose. If
you have ever seen a cat pull back the sides of it lips and expose its teeth while
inhaling,you have seen it in use.The cat is pressing air
molecules onto the roof of the mouth with the tongue, tasting the air with
this additional organ. Cats can sense smells at the level of a few parts per million. If you
let your kitty out often, observe what the cat does for 5-10 mins from a distance. A pattern emerges,
this is your cats territory, marked in specific spots. While your kitty has
been living it up indoors another cat came by to say "Ha ! I pee on your
kitty marker, your fat housecat, this is mine ! "Cat, scents, and do they sense what we feel ?... Cats do pick up on the big
emotions, if I am mad, stressed, or really upset. I suspect smell
has something to do with this. Pheromones are a very new science. Humans do
make them. I was just reading that we have 18 genes that detect and 17 of them have
been ruled inactive. We start life with an extra smell organ but it is gone by birth. Maybe when
you feel whatever "vibe" from someone some of this feeling is from smells ? At this concentration,
you don't really smell it or anything, but parts of an olfactory (smelling) system could register it. This guy came in
today, a sweet guy and well mannered, to inquire about ISP service
and I was getting a funny vide. I felt the beginnings of fear/fight or flight
in my gut, this was more than a funny vibe, I guess. He was asking the
usual questions so I was on auto polite and could run some data. Body language was
relaxed, passive, He maintained normal amount of eye contact, well dressed
and groomed. No tract marks and eyes were clear. The more questions he asked
the more I wanted him to leave. Except for this weird feeling he was the
perfect customer. He was not high, I often pick up on that. Intrusting. He was not going to rob me, that is first thing
that I thought of, but that did not check out. Funny.Racers "Kitty Logic" as told be James who agrees with it.......
Cats leave little parts of their prey for you to teach you to catch food, not as a token of affection. In kitty logic your cat thinks "This system
of you leaving and coming back with food, on the thing that runs very fast but has no feet, is not to be trusted. Who killed
this food he brings in ? I would like to know who kills my food, thank you ! There are all kinds of PREY and even BIRDS out there. If I
can just teach him to hunt he will see his error and stop leaving on that dangerous thing that runs very fast but has no feet or wings. "Cats do have a range of emotions, their love of comfort is very human. Mirabien (Gandhi's adopted daughter) requires, once we fight at the door, 1 min of total attention if I am away all day. Then I can put down my keys and stuff. Or I will get a demonstration shortly. M is a skilled hunter. I have seen her shoot up a tall tree like lightning to get at a bird at the top. I yelled, and it flew before she got there. She was pissed. 'James, yes I know that was a bird, don't ever yell if you see a bird again ! "
I love a vocal cat, so Siamese are great. Mirabien is VERY loud if she is not happy but has a lovely voice if happy. She was a problem kitty, she went out of the box so someone got rid of her just after she had a litter. I could tell they had taken her away too early. Her glands were full of milk and she was loudly complaining. I had asked about Siamese but they, said none, and had not mentioned her to me because of the potty issue. They could not tempt me with others so they showed me the problem Kitty. I could not return her if I took her. Boo !, who had worked as a vet tech said "Its the gas, then, no one wants a cat that pee's out of the box" Earlier I had used this ploy to try to get Boo ! to take the deaf kitten, so this was payback. The gas chamber was in clear view from the parking lot. I opened the crate and a well marked lynx point was very happy to see me. They had said sort of Siamese but she was a good example of a Lynx point. A cross between a standard color point Siamese and a dark or black tabby. You get the standard points but in a muted tabby pattern. The tabby pattern is pronounced in the face, fades through the body, with a few top hairs that are dark and the under fur is a down color and texture, neat effect. The tail is cool. Like a coon, it has alternating bands of dark and light. Vivid blue eyes were very happy to see me. She stopped yelling the second I opened the door. Very alert. I reached in to get her out and she was cool with that. I held her and supported her feet and she was happy. I went into the next room to show my flatmate, Boo ! , her. Not a complaint. "This is the screamer you heard." I said. "Wow, you found your cat" , Boo ! said. She was purring, I had not noticed as this she does very quietly. She had to stay over to be fixed. They called me at 6:00 AM the next morning, saying. "Come get your cat, NOW!" I could not hear them well over Mirabien's yelling ! I showed her the box, she knew how it worked, no problem. I held a lesson every day for a week, but she got it day one. She just was not able to make it to the box and take care of her kittens because master did not put the box close by, I suspect.
Peace and love from the high desert of northern New Mexico,Saint James
mailto:the_saint_james@yahoo.com
"J'ai seul la clef de cette parade sauvage."
Les Illuminations, Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891)
Posted by noa on August 30, 2000, at 9:25:02
In reply to Re: Kitty Logic (long), posted by stjames on August 30, 2000, at 1:27:18
WOW!!! That was fascinating.
> When a cat rubs up against your legs it is not love but marking behavior.
I find it fascinating, though, how such behaviors also create the PERCEPTION of affection in humans, so they also serve a second purpose of securing the care and affection of the human. This seems similar to how some neonatal human behaviors have evolved to secure our love and care, because they draw us in.
Posted by NikkiT2 on August 30, 2000, at 10:19:20
In reply to Re: Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 29, 2000, at 0:33:05
I've got Lizards!! :o) and they do keep me sane at times. oscar (adult male) comes out and just wanders over me, I stroke him, talk to him, and he comforts me. THe girls (3 of them, 4 months old!) are just hilarious.. they're learning to hunt (I feed them live crickets) but they miss as often as they catch, and keep me in hysterics laughing over them!
All pets are good.. I'm a totally huge animal lover and would love a job nvolved with wrking, n anyway, with animals!
Nikki x
Posted by Brenda on August 30, 2000, at 11:32:05
In reply to Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 28, 2000, at 20:26:54
>
James - We've got 4 dogs and 3 cats, plus some fish. They're great for depression, although sometimes just taking care of all of them is a little overwhelming. I like that they're always sooo happy to see me. What could be better than that. A dependable friend who loves to see me all the time.
They do get nervous though when I'm crying and sad, so I have to take time to comfort them. What pets do you have? I also find my rose garden is very comforting with my depression. I can lose myself when I'm in the garden.
Brenda
Anyone else have pet and find they are a great help
> in general and during depressions ?
>
> james
Posted by CarolAnn on August 30, 2000, at 12:16:39
In reply to Re: Kitty Logic (long), posted by stjames on August 30, 2000, at 1:27:18
I've always wanted a cat, but for a long time the timing was just not right. Lately, I have been almost obsessed with getting a kitten, I keep looking at the "free kittens" adds in the newspaper. Now that the timing is good, I have been worried about taking care of a cat. See, like many of us, my depression includes being easily overwhelmed by day to day tasks, and I have been afraid that adding a cat to the household will make things even more overwhelming. So, to see this thread and read all the positive effects of having a pet, really seems like some kind of sign (I'm a huge believer in 'signs') that maybe I am supposed to get a kitty. So, thank you all for the wonderful testimonies, it is so hard for me to make decisions like this, and these posts have definitly helped! stjames, thank you for initiating this thread! love CarolAnn
Posted by stjames on August 30, 2000, at 15:27:51
In reply to Re: Thanx to you all and especially stjames...., posted by CarolAnn on August 30, 2000, at 12:16:39
, I have been worried about taking care of a cat. See, like many of us, my depression includes being easily overwhelmed by day to day tasks, and I have been afraid that adding a cat to the household will make things even more overwhelming
James here....
Cats do fine with little fuss. They are very clean
and take care of themselves. Do what I do....
Lots of covered cat boxes, wal mart is cheap, or a platic pan and box with a kitty door works. 2 per cat is good, use more if you need to ! Use the gravity feed food and water despensers, 5 gal.
They hold food and water for a month. I leave water dripping somewhere so they have backup and emergency water if I unexpectally have to be away.
This is a great comfort for me, I got stuck in town with no car but knew Mirabien had all the water she needed, even if she knocked over the water bottle. Buy the biggest bag of dry food you can manage, same for kitty litter, they are cheap at wal mart.During my depressions my cats decided I was a cat, too. "He has long hair and sleeps alot, must be a cat"
Posted by noa on August 30, 2000, at 16:58:22
In reply to Re: Thanx to you all and especially stjames...., posted by stjames on August 30, 2000, at 15:27:51
>
> During my depressions my cats decided I was a cat, too. "He has long hair and sleeps alot, must be a cat"LOL.
CarolAnn, I have had similar thoughts.
I guess you could visit the animal shelter and start talking to the staff about adopting a kitten, and start getting to know the kittens there without rushing into adoptin one, so you can start to learn about personalities, becasue I think some cats are more high maintenance than others, and you can educate yourself how to observe a kitten to know what kind of personality it has.
Posted by Cass on August 30, 2000, at 17:19:24
In reply to Re: Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 29, 2000, at 0:51:14
Dogs really help offset deppression. When I get really depressed, I dread the thought of leaving the house, but then my little dog starts sniffing her leash, and if I go near the door, she starts jumping up and down with excitment. After that, I cannot say "no." She is just too enthusiastic. We go out on a walk, and I feel a little better for having been out and made her happy. Their excitement about sensory stimulation is sort of contagious.
Dogs just love you to pieces. It's good for the self-esteem. My dog is very spoiled. She lives a good life.
Posted by stjames on August 30, 2000, at 19:06:42
In reply to Re: Pets and depression, posted by Cass on August 30, 2000, at 17:19:24
> Dogs just love you to pieces. It's good for the self-esteem. My dog is very spoiled. She lives a good life.James here....
If I could come back as anything it would be my friend Jennie's dog.
In his old age he gets not one but 2 heated beds, the latest doggie
meds for old dog bones, often home cooked food. Jennie makes a pot of dog food
from scratch often. No meat by products. too much !When I am depressed, I can't deal with people, too much everything, it hurts. However
animals don't bring all the excess stuff to their relationships with us. Being together can
mean sitting in my lap while I am on the net, purring while I absent mindedly stroke
Minerva's fur. It's a great comfort to have my animals, they keep me connected at times
when it is easy to forget what hormal feels like.james
Posted by allisonm on August 30, 2000, at 21:27:25
In reply to Re: Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 30, 2000, at 19:06:42
I have three cats -- Spodumene, Rupert and Rosebud. Strays all.
Spodumene was dumped as a kitten in a parking lot, Rupert was left at my vet's, Rosebud was living downtown in a garbage heap. I had two before them -- Pantry, a vocal calico kitty-girl who died of kidney failure in January, and Gretchen, an orange longhair who was ditzy but loving. She had an unusual meow that sounded more like "murrr." We nick named her Murrwood. She was so excited to see mallard ducks swimming behind the house one day that she ran off the dock and into the bay thinking she could catch one (hence the ditzy label). She loved yogurt, and my husband used to let her have the remnants of his morning cup of yogurt, but she usually would get her head stuck in the cup and writhe around until she fell and the cup popped off.
I first got Pantry in 1984 as a kitten, then a few months later decided she needed a cat to play with because she was keeping my husband and me up at night. I got Gretchen from a family that didn't want her anymore. P & G were both Illinois cats. Then we moved to NY state. A neighbor found Spodumene, and I couldn't resist. He gave the older girls a fit, but they tolerated him. Then we lost Gretchen. My husband liked to let the cats roam outside, and one night G. didn't come back. We searched the neighborhood most of the night and in the morning, my husband found her dead on the shore of Lake Ontario. We got Rupert as a replacement because Pantry and Spod and we were sad. Rupert did everything Spod did, so we started calling Spodumene "Cat" and Rupert "Copycat."
Rosebud (my only girl now that I lost my Pantry in January) has a problem with spraying. I've taken her to kitty psychiatrists at Cornell University, tried the pheromone spray, and at different times had her on Valium, BuSpar, Elavil, and I've forgotten what else. (Maybe I should give her some of my Remeron or Wellbutrin. I've thought about borrowing her Valium.) None of the drugs worked. She and I now support each other in our respective states of mental illness -- my major depression, her neuroses. Rosebud nuzzles me when I'm thinking suicide and talks me out of it. Anyway, she sprays, so I have to keep her in a closed-off area in the house. I've put in a screen door at the kitchen, so she and I can have conversations. She only sprays on the pocket door to the laundry and the back door to the house. I put plastic up in front of the doors, and then newspaper to catch the urine on the floor. I change it two or three times a week depending on how much spraying she feels like doing. She usually only uses her box to poop, and she sleeps on fluffy towels in the bathroom sink. She has good windows for watching John the Mailman and for birds. If it's nice out, I'll let her roam in the yard -- she's the only one who does. I won't let the two boys out, but I feel badly for Rosebud because she's more cooped up. It's a hassle doing all of this (and she is singing at me now to come over because she can hear me typing), but I could never put her to sleep. She is very loving and affectionate and likes to be held and cuddled. I think she sprays because the two boys used to pick on her. I don't see how I could convince anyone to try her out alone in their house to see if she'd be OK when there are so many cats that need homes. The best part about Rosebud's spraying is that before my husband and I realized she was spraying, she was jumping up on the kitchen counter, backing up and peeing on the toaster. I didn't eat toast, but my husband always made two pieces every morning to go with his yogurt. He got pretty upset when we figured it out. :-)
When my husband left two years ago, he left me with the four cats. He wanted Pantry, but I said no because she was MY cat before she ever was "ours." A little over a week after he moved out, the night I learned my mother was dead, I was lying in my bed quietly and Pantry came up to see me. All I can say is that she knew. The comfort she gave me was better than any human's. We took care of each other.
Not long after my mom died, she went blind, but managed to find her way around the house as long as I didn't pick her up. Picking her up really pissed her off because she'd have to reorient herself. Her kidneys had been failing for several years, and I had been giving her subcutaneous fluids every other day or every three, plus diuretics, a heart pill, and ointment for her ulcerated eyes. Toward the end, she vomited a lot, and lost a lot of weight, then started vomiting blood. I nearly lost her last Christmas Eve, which was wrenching, but the emergency vet saved her with a blood transfusion (and put me in the poor house with a $1,000+ bill). But her old body just couldn't take much more after that. By January she was suffering greatly and I had to put her to sleep. She was my first cat. She had such personality. I knew what she was thinking just by the tone of her voice. I could ask her questions and she'd always answer me. Even on her last night when she was suffering so, she nuzzled my chin and licked my nose as I whispered to her.
The two boys follow me everywhere I go. I am rarely out of their sight. We have morning and evening rituals. In the morning, Spod will come up and lick my face or my arm or leg until I get up. Then he'll meet me at the bathroom sink because a running faucet always has the very best drinking water, don't you know. Then he lies down on the bath mat till I'm out of the shower and waits while I get dressed for work. If I don't rub his ears and talk to him when he meows at me while I'm drying off, he will bite my ankle or calf. As I head downstairs, both of the boys usually are waiting for me at the top of the stairs and once they see me coming down the hall, they race each other to the kitchen. Sometimes I'll forget something and go back to my room, so they'll come back upstairs to see why I'm not downstairs, then race downstairs again once they determine that I'm really on my way to the kitchen. There's also a bowl-filling ritual, and others as well. At night, Rupert will hide upstairs and wait for me to get into bed, then he'll run over and jump on the bed for his evening petting. If I don't pet him, he will pad up to my head and head-butt me in the face until I do (purring all the while, of course). If he sees my hand anywhere, he will dig his nose under my hand and try to lift it up on his head for more petting. They both start out sleeping at the end of my bed, then Rupert usually moves off because Spod takes over the space. So Rupert puts me to bed at night and Spod wakes me up in the morning.
Like others who have written before me, I obviously have a very strong bond with animals and could well do without humans in any capacity. I cherish my cats. I love to watch the swallows swooping in my yard at dusk. I carry on conversations with chipmunks. I talk to my apple snail and my goldfish. Animals have so much love. Humans have given me more sadness and heartache than anything else.
Allison
Posted by Cam W. on August 30, 2000, at 23:28:30
In reply to Re: Pets and depression, posted by stjames on August 30, 2000, at 19:06:42
I just remembered, I have fish, too. They don't do much, though. Just sit in their box in the freezer, coated in bread crumbs. I haven't named them yet, either.
=^)
- Cam
Posted by CarolAnn on August 31, 2000, at 14:42:41
In reply to Re: Pets and depression, posted by Cam W. on August 30, 2000, at 23:28:30
> I just remembered, I have fish, too. They don't do much, though. Just sit in their box in the freezer, coated in bread crumbs. I haven't named them yet, either.
> =^)
> - Cam
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