Mr Kitty

[broken brain]

I just want to declare my genuine love for my cat, Mr Kitty. He came into my life last November needing a forever home. I never realized what was missing in my life until he showed up. I have NEVER been a cat person before this.

On days that I can't even get off my couch (like the last 3 days), he is the only living being that I believe loves me regardless of how horrible I have been acting, how messy my house is, and how long since I've showered.

I know there's got to be some more kitty love out there. :)

 

[LilBit]

That is how I feel about my tiny dog. When nobody else was there, his love and enthusiasm never fails. Bad breath, crappy attitude, behaving like a frozen slug, he don't care, he just snuggles up.

 

[Echo]

Yes, I have to add a small eulogy to my pair of moggies. There is always one of them at my side. They lick away my tears, rush headlong towards me if I start having a flashback and just want to cuddle so tight against my heart, back or front, when I have a panic attack. They do also drive me insane, dig holes in the carpet and bite the heads off rabbits (who are some of my favourite people), but I'll forgive them all that because they forgive my PTSD weirdnesses (as long as they get their tea on time).

 

[joeygn72]

I love my furry lil roommates. Sometimes I'd like help paying the rent or doing dishes but when it comes to laughs they never fall short.

 

[Mayday]

My two cats are a constant source of love and affection. Love them so much, they have been the only things keeping me going more times than they could know.

 

[NovemberStar]

My pets have kept me alive on many occasions - I understand what you write! ;)

When I moved cities 7 years ago, when I was just starting my new life, as a professional post graduating, I had one puss cat. 7 years on, I have 4 cats, 2 dogs, a pond full of fish and a couple in the tank as well!

Since the quake trauma that triggered my previous PTSD to false up badly three years ago, I have adopted 3 fur babies - the second dog, and in the past 5 weeks - a 4 month old kitten and a few days ago, a 9 week old kitten.

(My friend reassures me I'm still at least 33 cats away form becoming That Crazy Cat LAdy lol!).

I just hope they get even half as much love and everything else they need form me, that I get form them - it seems of unbalanced at times; I often wish I could do more for them. Like when my flashbacks and anxiety are really bad, I'm not able to walk my dogs for a few days - I know they love me anyway, and I'm not a 'bad' owner - but I sometimes tell them I'm sorry they 'ended up with me' - I just hope they don't feel that way!

 

[The Albatross]

I am a serial rescuer of stray or ill animals. I haven't had less than 9 for 20 years. I have 10 now... 3 dogs and 7 cats. My animals not only assist me by the necessity of their care/feeding and hygiene needs... as I have to get off my butt and do the shopping, litter boxes, grooming, bathing, nail care, food and water etc. - but they also are comforting, funny and they help me ground.

At night when I have nightmares or disturbed sleep, Elsa and Crystal flank me hugging in tightly and Grace lays on my feet. Often rousing enough to feel them can ease things.

During the day, my dogs move from room to room with me as I go about the business of starting my day and when I am crashing on the sofa they take turns with me as I lay quietly on the sofa breathing or am looking out the living room window.

Even at my worst, I am able to do for them what I sometimes won't do for myself. It gave me a starting place and I've slowly been able to stretch and expand it to others over the years. Now I am more functional, can assist other human beings again (caregiver for the elderly) and do more of my own care consistently.

Animal companions are the best.

 

[Justmehere]

Both of my animals have survived trauma with me. My cat was there when trauma happened in my home and she was traumatized too. I have watcher her brave little self heal and become once again the friendly little kitty she once was... so friendly now that most my friends and neighbors think she is really a dog at heart. She used to be too scared to come out from under the bed.

My dog is a runt lab mix from the local humane society who I trained as a part time service dog for me, occasional therapy dog for kids I work with, and full time all round goof ball and cuddle bug. She is a survivor of felony animal abuse, but with love and time and lots of gentle exposure she healed to be the rock solid dog she is now. If only I could help her learn to not chase the cat! But my cat can hold the 50 lb dog back with just a look. She certainly is the head of my little household.

They both keep me going...

 

[Echo]

@Justmehere - I think my cats get it because they also had a traumatic start in life. They were born in a field on Bonfire Night and were taken away from their mother and other siblings when they were 3 days old. They were covered in blood and faeces when they were rescued from an animal sanctuary of all places, leaving their mum and other siblings behind. They both had a serious parasitic condition that I spent months healing them from with the help of a fantastic vet who believed me when others didn't. The smaller one of the two exhibits lots of the symptoms I have, too. I used to think he was maybe autistic, but I can now really understand his reactions. I might have to start a new career as a trauma therapist for cats. He would never let a human being near him until I fetched him from his foster 'carer'. She had written him off. I just gently coaxed him out from under a piece of furniture and he curled up in my arms and started to purr - she said she had never seen him do that or heard him purr. He recognised me in some sort of way, and I now realise it is 'like to like'. Maybe he is lucky to have found traumatised old me; most people think I should have him put down. But what do they know?

 

[broken brain]

Thank you !! :) I loved reading all your stories! My cat will stare me in the eyes while knocking over a full cup of water, he refuses to relieve hairballs anywhere other than my bedroom carpet, eats cheese like it's nobody's business, and he snores. But I couldn't imagine life without him. I don't feel guilty for his love and affection because it's the only thing I have right now that I can manage to give my consistent love and affection.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

One of my daughters cats has bonded with me and sleeps with me and cuddles me. Such comfort. If only I could get her to quit jumping on my back. When she does that I just walk around with her on my back until I can find a place for her to get off of my back. Bliss.

 

[Changing4Best]

A neighbor calls his cat Miss Kitty. Notice the gender change in each case.