Ptsd And Animals

[Gs172003]

Well yeah, I know my dog isn't going to f*ck me over.

I can't say that about any human.

Anima...

It's not just about your animal not screwing you over, it's about not screwing over them no matter how vulnerable they are. The satisfaction of giving them what maybe we didn't have.

 

[Silver.]

I have my bunny and then 2 weekends ago we got 2 mice, and I am (or was?) totally not a rodent person. But these little girls absolutely make my day. They have such personality, they snuggle, they are so much fun. Right now things have really sucked as I slip deeper into this pit, but the mice have brought me so much joy, which probably sounds weird, because they are mice, but they do. Even when I am at my worst, which I am pretty close to, I still take care of all of our pets (s/o's turd of a cat included). I tend to take care of others better than myself when I get this way.
I love the fact you have chickens, because they are great to have. Our neighbors up the road have some and you can hear them clucking away (I am trying to figure out a way to go "visit" them lol)

 

[Gs172003]

I have my bunny and then 2 weekends ago we got 2 mice, and I am (or was?) totally not a rodent person....

Weve had rodents before. My daughter had a pet rat. Best pet she ever had. No. Really. Domestic rats are OK with me, wild ones....no....

There was a field mouse that kept hiding in the chicken feed back three mornings last week when I went to take the lids off. I let him live cause dang it he was cute. He hasn't been back though

 

[The Albatross]

Yeah, @Zoogal - it is a way to provide for a simple soul in a way that we weren't really afforded. I can always be my "better self" providing for an animal companion. I imagine it has been bunched up more than a little with "innocence". I was as a child an innocent and I can actualize meeting needs that weren't met for me in some ways with my pets.

 

[Gs172003]

Weve had rodents before. My daughter had a pet rat. Best pet she ever had. No. Really. Domestic rats are...

My daughter had one of these lovely creatures lol

 

[Gs172003]

Yeah, @Zoogal - it is a way to provide for a simple soul in a way that we weren...

:)

 

[EveHarrington]

It's not just about your animal not screwing you over, it's about not screwing over them no matter how v...

That's interesting.

My mind doesn't even go in that direction! I never even thought of screwing over a vulnerable animal. I've screamed at my dog on the rare occasion (maybe 3 times in five+ years)------mostly in a moment where she won't give me space and I NEED space. (She is very clingy.) I always apologize to her and she forgives me.

 

[Friday]

Nope.

I'm sick & damn tired of anyone or anything trusting me. Mercy for my dog last year almost took me out. I'm tired of death. Sick & damn tired of the responsibility of it. No more hostages to fate. No more mercy. Finis. Done. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa. Adieu.

 

[Gs172003]

That's interesting.

My mind doesn't even go in that direction! I never even thought of screwing...

Animals are very forgiving.

 

[Gs172003]

Nope.

I'm sick & damn tired of anyone or anything trusting me. Mercy for my dog last year almost took m...

It's not for everybody and I have an easier time with my chickens than my dogs. My dogs are harder to predict what's going on with them than my chickens and well, ( sorry vegans/vegetarians) if they stop laying/ or are injured and can't be saved, they can be eaten. We have eaten several. ( like roosters we couldn't keep or rehome)
It's part of it. You can't do that with dogs. But, I still love them, give them good lives and spoil the heck out of them as much as I can. It's a mindset you get used to I guess. Hard as heck to explain.

 

[Gs172003]

It's not for everyone.

 

[One step at a time]

But, I still love them, give them good lives and spoil the heck out of them as much as I can. It's a mindset you get used to I guess. Hard as heck to explain.

I loved our goats when they were alive - even if the rascals made sure there was never a dull moment. Eventually they had to go, and then they made good sausage. So I think I understand.

it's about not screwing over them no matter how vulnerable they are. The satisfaction of giving them what maybe we didn't have.

This. No matter how sick/out of it I've been, I have always been able to get myself through barn chores twice a day. Got me out of bed in the morning, and wore me out enough to have a shot at sleeping at night. I'm away right now, and I miss having this anchor.
Also, I am way better at showing my critters patience and compassion, so I am learning to think about how I treat them when they are in pain or have had a rough history, and try to apply some of those approaches to myself.