UnKnown-Self
Diamond Member
@Neverthesame thank you for sharing that story :)
Sometimes they find you so you never know.
If there comes a time you can have a dog I hope you reach out to bestfriends.org the site @Changeling mentioned in the first post and started this great thread.
In the break room at my job there are a couple Best Friends magazines. The stories can't help but make one not only want to reach out but relate on a very deep level as a sufferer with PTSD.
The story that grabbed my interest was an article about puppy mill dogs. Not the puppies, though that's bad enough but the moms of the puppies who spend their existence in a cage. Those fortunate enough to be rescued need such understanding and care, the kind of care a person with PTSD would understand. These dogs have never been pet or played with, they don't know what grass feels like or a floor even since they've always lived in a cage. They never had a chance to be a dog. Basically they have know idea who they are or how to trust.
Sound familiar?
of course these are not the only dogs that need saving Best Friends is the place to start looking for anyone who is thinking of adopting.
Cats need rescuing too. I have had both and I would have a cat now to keep Eddie company but the vet bills for two pets is more than I can afford right now.
I have had many amazing dog and cat friends through my life.
I would like to share one cat story. I hope it's okay, I think you'll understand afterwards.
My sister brought home a little half starved, frightened orange tabby one day. She saved it from some boys who were torturing it.
As soon as she put it down in the kitchen, it bee lined right under the refrigerator. There was food and water placed near the fridge and I guess he came out when no one was around but no one saw him come out.
I have always made friends with animals so I now had a mission.
Day after day I lay on the kitchen floor peeking under the fridge, talking as the kittens eyes glowed and he hissed and growled.
He was named Uptight and I didn't give up. Eventually, I started putting a drop of milk on my finger and contorting myself so my hand could slide under in a way the milk didn't fall off and I could still see. It got to the point Uptight would lick the drop of milk, then I pulled my hand closer and closer to the edge. It started with me giving a little pet on his nose, a tiny scratch under his chin.
He clawed me a few times but this was nothing to me since we always had cats and dogs. Cats fit into doll clothes much easier than dogs and most did not like the process of putting on or taking off. Though I did put a pair of my dads boxers on our dog Rebel once and the opening in the front was perfect for his tail to go through. He got out like that and while the neighbors found it hysterical, I'm sure they told one of my parents because I never did it again.
Anyway, Uptight finally became my friend and while he never did play, how he loved to be pet and scratched. He would stretch his body as long as it would go and I never heard a cat before or since with a bigger purr.
Sometimes my brother would see him out and yell as he stomped his feet because Uptight would scramble as he peed himself.
So he would only come out when it was just us. But when he did, what a gift to see him soak up the affection and reward me with that beautiful purr. It is amazing what a little love and patience can achieve.
He disappeared one day. My dad probably took him to the SPCA or worse drop him off at some side road. He was known for doing that kind of shit. My mom would get rid of my cats too if I was especially attached to them.
But this post is meant to encourage others to please consider rescuing a dog or cat. You will see, it is they who are the rescuers.
Sometimes they find you so you never know.
If there comes a time you can have a dog I hope you reach out to bestfriends.org the site @Changeling mentioned in the first post and started this great thread.
In the break room at my job there are a couple Best Friends magazines. The stories can't help but make one not only want to reach out but relate on a very deep level as a sufferer with PTSD.
The story that grabbed my interest was an article about puppy mill dogs. Not the puppies, though that's bad enough but the moms of the puppies who spend their existence in a cage. Those fortunate enough to be rescued need such understanding and care, the kind of care a person with PTSD would understand. These dogs have never been pet or played with, they don't know what grass feels like or a floor even since they've always lived in a cage. They never had a chance to be a dog. Basically they have know idea who they are or how to trust.
Sound familiar?
of course these are not the only dogs that need saving Best Friends is the place to start looking for anyone who is thinking of adopting.
Cats need rescuing too. I have had both and I would have a cat now to keep Eddie company but the vet bills for two pets is more than I can afford right now.
I have had many amazing dog and cat friends through my life.
I would like to share one cat story. I hope it's okay, I think you'll understand afterwards.
My sister brought home a little half starved, frightened orange tabby one day. She saved it from some boys who were torturing it.
As soon as she put it down in the kitchen, it bee lined right under the refrigerator. There was food and water placed near the fridge and I guess he came out when no one was around but no one saw him come out.
I have always made friends with animals so I now had a mission.
Day after day I lay on the kitchen floor peeking under the fridge, talking as the kittens eyes glowed and he hissed and growled.
He was named Uptight and I didn't give up. Eventually, I started putting a drop of milk on my finger and contorting myself so my hand could slide under in a way the milk didn't fall off and I could still see. It got to the point Uptight would lick the drop of milk, then I pulled my hand closer and closer to the edge. It started with me giving a little pet on his nose, a tiny scratch under his chin.
He clawed me a few times but this was nothing to me since we always had cats and dogs. Cats fit into doll clothes much easier than dogs and most did not like the process of putting on or taking off. Though I did put a pair of my dads boxers on our dog Rebel once and the opening in the front was perfect for his tail to go through. He got out like that and while the neighbors found it hysterical, I'm sure they told one of my parents because I never did it again.
Anyway, Uptight finally became my friend and while he never did play, how he loved to be pet and scratched. He would stretch his body as long as it would go and I never heard a cat before or since with a bigger purr.
Sometimes my brother would see him out and yell as he stomped his feet because Uptight would scramble as he peed himself.
So he would only come out when it was just us. But when he did, what a gift to see him soak up the affection and reward me with that beautiful purr. It is amazing what a little love and patience can achieve.
He disappeared one day. My dad probably took him to the SPCA or worse drop him off at some side road. He was known for doing that kind of shit. My mom would get rid of my cats too if I was especially attached to them.
But this post is meant to encourage others to please consider rescuing a dog or cat. You will see, it is they who are the rescuers.
Last edited:
