The story of my dog.

I'm glad you found happiness with her! I have had the same experience in a way.

About 4 years ago, I was in a huge depression. It had almost gotten to the point of no return for me. I suffer with being too forward and blunt. Therefore, if has caused me to not be able to hang onto friends for longer than a few months. I'm 26 years old. So, I should know better by now how to handle dealing with people. Anxiety was so high while I would work. I almost couldn't take it anymore. I started drowning myself in playing call of duty and drinking a lot more. I always loved playing with people online because it meant if we just didn't along, I could always block them.
Anyway, my dad was building a half gate for our garage so our cats could get fresh air without actually being outside. The night he finished it and we let the cats in the garage, one of my cats was meowing out to the world because it was new to him. That's when I heard it. A tiny meow coming from outside the gate. After hearing it like 5 times, that's all it took. I went out the front and went find the meowing baby. It was a tee tiny kitten! (I lived in a nice apartment complex where people had money. So, some people would drop off their pets knowing someone would take them in.) I had NO intentions of taking her in. We already had 3 cats and a dog and the limit was 2 animals. I got some food and water and tried to lure her to me so I could at least find her a home. It took an hour. She let me grab her. She was trying to get away, but I wasn't letting her. My mom had come outside and asked if I got her. Once I told her yes, SHE told me to bring her in the house. So, we went lock ourselves in my room with the new baby. I tried to find her a home. I will never post an ad on any social media or selling website because I have to know the person that is taking any animal from me. I HAVE to. My rule. So, I luckily didn't have work for a few days. I was able to spend a lot of time in the room with her playing my video games and letting her get used to my room and me. She didn't want anything to do with me. 3 days went by. I had named her already. And then it started. She REFUSED to let me do anything without her in my face. She would climb in my face while I was playing. She wouldn't let me leave the room. I have so many pictures of her silly behavior. She went from not wanting anything to do with me. to not wanting anything to do without me. After the 3rd day, I wasn't getting rid of her. She was what I needed. I hadn't had a kitten since I was a kid. My mom and I hid her in my room for 3 months from my stepdad. Not because he would make me get rid of her, but because we had other animals that needed to adjust to her being a new member. Also, because my dad would TRY to talk us out of keeping her. "We already have too many animals."

Sansa got me out of my depression. The way she would cuddle on me. I was her world. I was the one she depended on. If it wasn't for me, she wouldn't have made it. She started getting extremely bad anxiety. I would go to work for a few hours and she would start ripping her fur out from the back of her legs. It got so bad that she would make herself start bleeding. But, this is a cat that we locked in my room so she would adjust. She only saw me and my mom everyday for 3 months. But once we introduced her to the rest of the family, she protected my room. It was OUR room. She wouldn't let any of the fur babies come in or even get close. She needed me and god knows I needed her.

Sansa and I have been through together. Moved so many times. Been apart for a few months with only a few brief visits here and there. But, now I have her back with me. She doesn't get along with our pups, but she makes sure they know who is boss. She stopped pulling the fur out on her legs a few years ago. But, I found out she still has her anxiety. She licks plastic bags. Like compulsively. She is obsessed and I recently found it is like 90% of the time because of anxiety.

Anyway, I know where you are coming from. Animals do more than just make great companions. They save lives, literally. I am blessed for my babies. I would never trade any of them for any amount of money.

Here is a picture of Sansa and I on Day 3 when she decided to let me love her. I mean, look at that tiny face! How could anyone not want her anymore?!

 

Aww :') I'm happy for both of you. I never really knew that pets could have such an impact on someone's life! I guess you both saved each other in a way. I'm really happy that things worked out for both of you maybe I should get a puppy too hahaha. I know it's hard talking about personal stuff so thank you for sharing your story with us ❤️ I wish you all the best in life and I hope you will continue to be happy forever and ever and ever

 

but the real question is do you have a problem with life itself. the dog is a fine distraction, but dont ignore the real problems in real life.
dogs dont live forever . if that happens will you get stuck in the same situation?

it sounds like you yearn for acknowledgement, as most people do. humans are social beings, we group together, because its advantageous to us, from a evolutionary stand-point; for both survival and psychological reasons. but in a world of urbanized cities, and talking on forums, people are basically isolated, and forget about real life. ill admit im 24-ish, and barely talk to anybody, i mean i got a job recently, and i still have about a year of university to get through. and hopefully i can start my 'actual' life. so im not an expert.
but working on people skills should be top priority. and i guess this dog could possibly help with that

from your post before, it sounded like you were not sure what you wanted to do with life. ive also got the same problem, im still trying to figure it out. you could take a personality test that could narrow down professions you might enjoy (i personally havent done them)
it also sounded like you have parents with moderate-to-high standards, who are pressuring you about youre future goals. (ive got issues with my parents aswell)
so these might contribute to the problem. but understanding what the problem is, might just help you find a more permanent solution.

i recall people suggested clinical interventions. these professionals are really trained to do deal with these things. thoughts of suicide are red lights. consider clinical interventions, it might help you find what youre looking for

i mean i am a lonely guy and ive felt 'depressed' before/currently, for ex. feeling lethargic. im sure all people go through this at one point. but the idea that theres too much that life has to offer completely kills the idea of suicide. and also the reminder that emotions and states of high and low arousal, are directly influenced by neuro-transmitters, like dopamine, tell you that what you could be feeling are just chemical imbalances. which can be possibly be solved by drug therapy

 

What you said is absolutely correct! Also, from what she said it doesn't sound like her happiness is 100% dependent on the dog. The dog gave her the push and the peak of hope she needed which helped her get on with life. I don't know why people always assume that quiet and shy people aren't successful and that there's something wrong with them. You don't have to be loud, talkative and outgoing to be successful. I'm pretty shy and quiet irl and find it hard to get along with some people but when it comes to work, uni and personal relationships I'm very successful and whenever I work with a group, even though I don't talk people follow me and make me their leader simply because I work hard so talking was never really an issue. Most of the time it was me making it an issue and setting barriers between me and other people. And what's wrong with loving to stay home?! Lol I think in this age a lot of people are introverts tbh so you're fine. Also, you're not lonely you have us we are all friends

You'd be surprised to know how many people (of all ages) still haven't figured out what they want to do in life! It's completely normal, some people have the privilege of finding out what they want to do in life early on and some people like you and I, have to keep going and explore more to learn what we truly love and what we would love to do in our lives. And yeah, my parents expectations and pressure totally changed my path but I believe that everything happens for a reason and sometimes you don't understand the reason until you're older but yeah that's what I believe in.

I hope things get better for you buddy and I hope one day you end up finding your dream job and the thing you're passionate about in life ❤️

Have a nice day