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Original poster

To ask if anyone else has a pet that's helped them with their MH struggles?

44 replies

Pippp · 15/04/2020 10:12

Me and DH have been through a lot in the past 3 years.

We got our dog a year and a half ago now and he is a little star. He has helped me mentally so much.

I've been having a bit of a cry this morning and he's here giving me a cuddle wondering what the hell is up with me. He'll get me out of the house today when before I would have done well to make it out of bed.

Just a little appreciation for the soul that doesn't even know how much he's helped me Smile

Has anyone else had an animal help them with their MH struggles?

To ask if anyone else has a pet that's helped them with their MH struggles?
OP posts:
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6
ToriaPumpkin · 15/04/2020 10:32

My daft collie has been known to leap, with his full weight, into my lap when I'm crying. He knows he's not allowed on the furniture and never tries it otherwise. He's a big soft lump and he makes me feel better, even when I do jave to take him out in the driving rain!

GinDrinker00 · 15/04/2020 10:35

Yes. I have two cats, got them originally for my asd son as support animals but they’ve really helped my own mental health too. :)
Would love a dog eventually when my two DC are a bit older and more responsible. Your dog is cute.

aLilNonnyMouse · 15/04/2020 10:35

My cats help me. I was having daily visits by the crisis team at the time and they suggested getting a kitten. I did some research and saw that cats are happier in pairs so I got two. Turns out one is super playful (boy) and the other super shy and reserved (girl) and she was getting annoyed with him for wanting to play 24/7 so I ended up getting another boy kitten.

The boys play together happily and the girl joins in when she's is in the mood. I can always get a cuddle whenever I want as at least one of them wants attention.

They already saved my life once - I took an overdose and was crying and they all just curled up in my lap and cuddled me. I ended up going to hospital for their sake and got treated.

I've made great progress the last few years and I owe a lot of it to those cats. They cuddle me when I'm down, play with me to cheer me up, and pester me to get out of bed when I don't want to get up. I fall asleep each night under a pile of warm purring cats and no longer have nightmares.

I can't ever repay them for what they've done for me. I'm just making sure I can give them the best possible life and treasuring every day with them.

Meruem · 15/04/2020 10:47

I have two cats and they bring me so much joy. They're sisters and super close. They're still fairly young, 8 months, so they are really amusing. They play hide and seek with each other, and chase each other round the house. Then they'll curl up together and sleep. I work from home (was doing so before CV) and felt quite lonely. I don't want a partner (too much bad history with relationships!) but I missed having someone to cuddle up to, and I guess someone just being there. At night usually one will sleep on my feet and one will cuddle up to my back and it's so comforting. They'll often sleep under my desk when I'm working. I just never feel lonely anymore now I have them.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 15/04/2020 11:25

My Burmese cat will comfort my kids when they are crying. My teenage DS went though a really bad time and it was only the cat who could comfort him. He would jump in his lap when he was crying and sort of nudge his face and wrap himself around DS's neck.

Animals are a great comfort. We were once on holiday and DS has a panic attack in a crowded market. We sat him down on a bench to calm down and a stray cat came up and jumped on his lap and sat down. The change in DS's mood was immediate. If the cat hadn't done that we would have had to cut short our day out to get DS back to the hotel.

I know that some schools have therapy dogs now - such a great idea.

NiteFlights · 15/04/2020 11:28

Yes! My cat. He’s changed my life. I was already doing okay when I got him, but he has helped me so much. He can be quite disdainful Smile but a couple of times when I’ve been really upset and crying he’s stayed near me. He brightens every day.

Purplecatshopaholic · 15/04/2020 11:43

Pets help hugely. I now live on my own after a bloody awful divorce, and my dog has been there with me through it all. Helps my MH no end

recycledteenager24 · 15/04/2020 11:51

i have 2 guinea pigs [indoor] and 2 hamsters, the piggies are there for me during the day and the hammies entertain me in the evening with their antics. better than my meds any day. Smile

DefConOne · 15/04/2020 11:53

My cat. He cuddled up to me when I spent the best part of a week in bed when my dad died (kids at the in-laws). He is always close by when we are home.

recycledteenager24 · 15/04/2020 12:02

animals don't judge and love you regardless, they can be life savers.

Thatnameistaken · 15/04/2020 12:25

Weve got a couple of free range indoor guinea pigs, last year my DP became severely ill was hospitalised and it was touch and go whether he would come back out. I was distraught and afraid, he is my life and for a time i was faced with the prospect of him being taken from me. But I'd go home after visiting and was met at the door by their happy wheeking faces, they kept me going and did the same when my 20 year old DD came home after her life imploded. She was in a bad way but interacting with and caring for those little guys brought her out of herself and back to wellness.
Pets have a vital role to play in our lives.

recycledteenager24 · 15/04/2020 14:11

thatname that's great to hear that the piggies have helped you and your family, as it is with all the posters on here.
lets hear it for our lovely animal friends, we love you ! Smile

NiteFlights · 17/04/2020 13:24

^@Thatnameistaken* I was awake in the night and I suddenly thought about this

I'd go home after visiting and was met at the door by their happy wheeking faces

and it really made me smile. So lovely Smile

Lifeisgenerallyfun · 17/04/2020 13:42

My darling dog helped enormously with my depression and ptsd, I could tell her all my mad thoughts and fears. It really helped me when I went to therapy that I was already used to talking about things. When I was suffering really badly I could tell me pooch everything without worrying about upsetting anyone or anyone judging me. She just sat there next to me looking as to do say, “ don’t worry mum, I’m here”.

Thankfully I’ve really come a long way from those dark days but I’ll never forget how important my little dog was at helping me through the worst.

MrsMouse03 · 17/04/2020 14:03

My beautiful collie and two cats have really helped with my depression. They always love you and make you feel better. The cats calm me down and dog is great for getting me up and out. The walking always helps too. Love them all so much.

nettytree · 17/04/2020 16:17

We adopted 2 10month cats last year. They came from a home were a young child had mistreated them so much that one of the cats hated being stroked. A year later with the help of my 2 children she has transformed. We love her so much.

thecatneuterer · 17/04/2020 16:32

@aLilNonnyMouse That brought a tear to my eye.

DysonFury · 17/04/2020 17:15

My rescue dog Pip. She saved my life when I was suicidal during ironically PIP and ESA abuse.

MrsTerryPratchett · 17/04/2020 17:20

Not me but DD. Her ADHD is a nightmare. Not only does the dog help emotionally but she loves taking him to school and showing her friends her dog. Socially so good for her.

He has some mental health issues himself having had a traumatic start to his life. I like to think we all help each other.

2020YearOfTheGoat · 17/04/2020 17:24

My dogs keep me company & cuddle up when I’m on my own in the house with kids at their Dad’s.

They get me out of the house & on long walks like today when I didn’t really fancy it but felt the benefit so much when I got back.

The kids adore them & miss them when they’re not home.

I remember telling all my childhood problems & worries to my parents’ cats & feeling like someone really cared.

My big boy lab makes me feel safe when I’m in the house in my own as his bark is very loud & scary despite him being the ultimate softy!

I wouldn’t ever be without a dog again.

ParanoidGynodroid · 17/04/2020 17:34

We got our (first ever) dog to help then teenage DD who’d had horrific MH issues. She adored him and got up early to walk him before college and he always stuck to her and let her know she was favourite. Really helped.

Six years later DD is in uni and DDog visits her often; landlord doesn’t mind him staying for a few days! He’s my best friend now, and as I’m having trouble with autistic DD he cuddles me when I’m upset, which is often, and stuck close to me when I was ill last year. I love him so much.
His stupid face always makes me smile.

LittleCandle · 17/04/2020 17:50

I had a breakdown about 12 or so years ago. I had got a kitten a couple of months before and he was wonderful. Then-H slept through my nightmares, but the kitten, who slept on the top of my head when then-H was at home (he worked away), used to come down and gently pat my cheek with his paw until I was awake and then snuggled into my neck, purring. I was utterly heart broken when he was run down and killed.

Lovesgood · 17/04/2020 18:24

Your dog is the cutest! What breed is it?
My pets help, its a house bunny who wants to cuddle constantly and a hamster who is the funniest little thing.

slashlover · 17/04/2020 18:36

I live by myself and at some points the cat is the only reason I get out of bed. I sometimes don't care about looking after myself but I wont see the cat go hungry/not have clean water/have a dirty litter tray.

She's one of the few things getting me through lockdown at the moment.

ThatUserNamesTakenTryAnother · 17/04/2020 18:47

Me too here, he's beautiful by the way.