PTSD And Pets

[Riggs413]

My question is this.....during therapy my T suggested getting a pet, which I did. Five months ago I got a female Bernese Mountain dog. She is now 7 months old and I have become incredibly attached to her.

Lately I have been thinking that she is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I like her a lot more than any human I have met in my 44 years of life. :smile:

I am getting to my question......I have found that prior to her I was withdrawing from social aspects of life (too many triggers) and it has become an almost total withdrawal now that I have my pooch. I get out taking her for her walks, we have a blast playing in the park etc....just found that I have very little need for human contact now.

Is it normal for people with PTSD to feel like this when they do get a pet? She hasn't let me down, hasn't betrayed me, hasn't hurt me, hasn't lied to me. She is a wonderful friendly dog. She has behaved better than any human I have known.

Do those of us with PTSD commonly feel this way about our pets? Moreso than a "normal" person? Just struggling with the issue that as she was supposed to help (which she does in so many ways, especially with my anxiety issues), having her has also created some issues in my recovery.

Oh, my OH is fine with our pup, she loves her too, she has just raised the issue with me that I have become more of a hermit than normal. :rofl:

Thanks All

Riggs

 

[disenchanted]

I worked at a shelter for about five years, this was back in the late 80's or so. I learned that I love dogs. I knew I loved animals, but I had no idea how rewarding a relationship with a dog could be! I loved that job. I have so many great stories about those dogs, and one day I took one home. He was an adult, maybe 6 already, a golden retriever. We never found his owner so he went home with me. He died in 2004 just shy of his 17th birthday.

I loved him so much. We had a special bond. He would check my cheeks for tears if I sniffled in case I was crying. He carried anything I asked him to and he did anything I would do, like slide down slides. He couldn't stand for me to be in pain, and would stand at my side until my panic attacks or nightmares or crying jags were over.

He showed me I could love. I didn't know that I could. He took my focus off me and on to him. He was my reason to get up everyday. He supported me emotionally (a dog, I know, but still!) and my family is convinced he kept me alive.

The only thing I hated was the attention we got everywhere we went. He couldn't just pop out and pee for five seconds without someone running over to us. Goldens are popular, so I had to talk to people, strangers, and I hated it but it was good for me. I met other dog lovers at the doggy park and though we didn't trade numbers or have play dates I could talk to them about a safe subject and not seem too wierd.

So, I guess I'm saying animals are good for you. I understand about your dog being enough company for you and I think that's just what we can tolerate you know? I now live with to other family members and have all. the. company. I. need. My friend (one friend, yes, one) complains that he never sees me anymore but I can't take that much face time.

Enjoy your dog! If you think it keeps you from interacting, try interacting with her with others. Besides, she'll need to walk to not get fat.

And a Bernese!!!!! She's going to shed like crazy!

Cat

 

[Grama-Herc]

From one hermit to another, I don't really know the answer to your question. I know that my pets bring me something that only they can. I can't get their kind of honest love from a human.

I am curious to see what othwers think

 

[cragger65]

Myself, I think of my cat Rufus as my best friend, "someone" I can always count on and trust. I don't think your bond with your dog is all that surprising considering your experience. PTSD or not, I think that happens, and yes, I think it's even more profound for those of us who have trouble connecting with people.

Maybe you'll meet people while out with the dog. Sometimes just a friendly hello from someone walking their dog in the park can make my whole day.

 

[2quilt]

I love my girls more than the majority of humans I know.

 

[fin]

I love my dog, I didn't want to post to this thread Riggs sorry, I know I encouraged you to start it. I have thoughts on this question of yours, I do think it is good that you are going out, and that that beautiful pup is getting you out. I think maybe looking after your pooch will help you enormously, it will begin to give you contact of some kind...and I do think that perhaps if you have become "more hermit-like" that perhaps you might have been even more so perhaps without your dog. And exercise itself will do you good also.

I adore my dog, she is one of the best friends I have ever had. I find it difficult to write some about this, I had another dog years before that saved my life literally on at least two occassions, I was pregnant and my dog stood between me and a knife (I have yet to right on this) and someone else that would have beaten me into total submission had my dog not been there. He was one of the best dogs in the world, very brave, very very good company and I would have done anything for him, as he did for me. It breaks my heart to think of him. He saved my life as well as that of my son.

I rescued all the dogs I have ever had and they rescued me right back. The dog I have now, knew me before the PTSD took total hold of my life, and she has had to get used to me changed, but she is still every bit as loving to me and I know she would never let anyone hurt me. She makes me do things I would not otherwise do, and while I had tried to have her re-homed she is not so young so impossible and would be so very hard to do, I feel that I let her down. My support worker wont help me to try to re-home her because I would have nothing then...well except my cat, but he doesnt stretch me the way my dog does.

I would be intersted to know if you and your OH take your dog out together, and wonder if perhaps going out together might also bring you both closer together. And maybe give you the chance to work through some feelings you maybe have in regard to social outings together.

I think it is lovely that your pup has brought so much to your life, try not to overthink it. And thankyou for starting this thread, it made me think about something I didn't think I would have to look at for quite some time. And it is very heartwarming to read others posts here

 

[dust]

Riggs,

I would love a small doggie, but live in a small flat that doesn't allow any pets. It's so lovely to hear all your posts, they fill me with warmth and joy.

Thank-you,


dust

 

[kers]

I'm another in the super-pro-animal camp. It helps a lot to have another living, loving creature in my life. Plus he helps me gauge whether noises are my hypervigilance or 'real' noises.

 

[Salu]

Pets are the best!
Being a hermit? Oh come on, there is a difference here, are you a hermit because you are stuck and are not capable of doing anything else or are you a hermit because you are content and happy.

Animals are great stress relievers, just dealing with them, walking, combing, training, talking, cuddling, petting, stroking, reading about them, its a whole life. Life full of love:kiss: And it kind of helps seeing own problems from slightly different angle, it might be a really small shift, but its a shift.

Pets rock!

 

[freya]

I remember realizing one day what a marvelous, unconditional love I got from my dog. I realized she'd love me regardless of any diagnosis I got.

Though I don't know you, I think being in touch with the dog may be healing for you. Maybe having this relationship with a living being who is accepting you, loving you and who is reasonable in a way most humans can never be, will help you be better able to face social life, in the long run.

Just my thought.

Freya

 

[Iam]

 

[TLight]

Iam, that cartoon is simply precious!

We have two dogs, a cat, three cows, and now 2 horses. The lab is too energetic and frankly stresses me out. The cat is OK, until she wants something and screams for it=stress. The cows, they're cool, but they don't bond with you much.

My husband got me a puppy a year ago, border collie mix. He is really affectionate, controls his energy when I need it, and doesn't run me over like a bulldozer like the lab does. He even curls up in my lap. That's pretty neat. But I try to bond back and I find the same block as I do with humans. But this guy is good for me, I know. He's definately my dog.

My horse. Well, he's really big (dressage) and we have a pretty neat relationship. But I'm the leader and he's my partner, but subordinate. I treat him well, no doubt, but it is a leader/follower team. At least here, I feel I have a purpose of some kind. He needs to be worked and trained and it gives me a reason to keep getting up in the morning. This guy can't sit.

Now riding...cantering around in circles, doing the movements, the training. I'm always so relaxed after that. However, I took my first spill on him last week when he gave a wild spook with a big twisty buck. Got back on though, but immediately went out and bought a proper helmet, as my brain slooshed in my head.
Ride on Riley.