Importance of pets

Animals love unconditionally, something most humans cannot do. They don't judge you. And they are a comfort...

I am so sorry that you had to give up your kitty. I am a dog person myself. Mine comforts me whenever I am down. .She is very loyal. Most animals are.

I have always like animals more than most people. Though I love you guys to bits... But you are like the animals, you understand and don't judge.

I hope in the future you will be able to have a pet. Don't feel guilty either, you can't help what you had to do.

Hugs, Karen...

I'm wondering why you had to give up your cat? If it was the insistence of a landlord, you may be able to fight it. The Fair Housing Act covers Emotional Support Animals and requires landlords to make reasonable accommodations for them. It's not just dogs that can be ESA's.

My ESA is a dog. After being declared disabled from working due to several work related injuries and subsequent surgeries, I fell into a deep depression. While medication for a period of time and just over a year of therapy helped, being without a schedule remained a difficult hurdle for me.

Having Micah gives a schedule to my life. I MUST get up in the morning to let her out to relieve herself. I MUST get dressed to take her out for exercise. I MUST go to the store to get her food, treats, poop bags, etc. I eat better because I am not alone and yes, I share my food with her.

When I'm having a 'bad' day, she knows. She will act goofy to get me to play. If I'm crying, she licks my face. She will lay in the bed with me, but won't allow me to stay in bed all day, unless of course I am 'sick'. She somehow knows the difference between my being ill and my being depressed.

She is happy to see me if I go out somewhere and return home. She makes me feel safe, hearing things I may not hear, being alert to what ever is going on, etc.

I've had cats for years. While they too show me love, they don't require the same care. As long as their litter box is clean and their food dish is full, there isn't much of a schedule with them. No need to get dressed each day, etc. They are more than happy to spend the day in bed with me!

I hope whatever has separated you from your cat gets resolved quickly. Meanwhile, perhaps a plant will help fill that space a bit. Plants require care too. In the winter, I 'force' bulbs. It lifts my spirits to see it sprout and then grow and eventually bloom. Having to focus on it's light requirements, turning the pot every day so it gets even light, remembering to water it etc. can help in some respects too.

Perhaps you can volunteer at a shelter to keep that connection to animals. Can you visit your cat?

I knew about support animals but the thing was that my landlord was severly allergic. The hair went through the vents and the systems of the house and caused him to have a severe asthma attack at 1 am at night. He lowered the rent for me but it still doesn't make up for the loss. I found my cat a good home with loving new owners and I'm thankful for that.

I probably could visit and I can always text for pictures. But it's not the same. Not sure if he's allergic to anything else but at this point I don't want to try for another animal.

Thank you for your kind words and advise.