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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by owenus32 on May 26, 2004, at 12:11:42
I got a cat off the streets of Queens and he was a kitten and it was New Years and 14 degrees so I totally saved his life. I was worried that he'd die or I'd get a disease from him lol and this is at 30 years old. Imagine if I had a wife and kids. Anyway , pets are GREAT therapy . However staying home is not. Being with your cat is still isolating and in AA and therapy I've learned that isaolting is THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE thing we can do
Posted by tootercat on May 26, 2004, at 13:28:26
In reply to I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by owenus32 on May 26, 2004, at 12:11:42
Owen,
I have 2 cats and a parakeet! I would have probably killed myself this past winter if not for them and going to my AA meetings. You are right on about isolating but it is as subtle as the alcohol when it comes to being cunning baffling and powerful. I have been sober (most days) and 'just dry" others *LOL* for almost 14-1/2 years.Take care,
Tooter
Posted by Angela2 on May 26, 2004, at 18:57:37
In reply to I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by owenus32 on May 26, 2004, at 12:11:42
I have 3 cats. They're wonderful.
Posted by owenus32 on May 26, 2004, at 23:05:10
In reply to Re: I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by Angela2 on May 26, 2004, at 18:57:37
I love my cat, he's my boy
Posted by tterees on May 27, 2004, at 17:00:42
In reply to I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by owenus32 on May 26, 2004, at 12:11:42
I love my kitty. He is the sweetest kitty in the world. He was a stray I took in about 8 years ago. I just love him.
ps I really am a dog lover, but my kitty!
Posted by shadows721 on May 27, 2004, at 17:42:20
In reply to I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by owenus32 on May 26, 2004, at 12:11:42
I have two indoor persians and two outside strays. I call them my fur baby angels.
I don't go to AA. What is their philosophy about isolating? I am interested.
Posted by owenus32 on May 27, 2004, at 18:36:49
In reply to Re: I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by shadows721 on May 27, 2004, at 17:42:20
Drinking was a way to overcome fear of others and when you quit drinking that just doesn't go away. When you stay home and avoid meetings etc. you are isolating and probably getting depressed. They say" if you are at home with yourself you are hanging out with an asshole" LOL. That's because we tend to be very self centered and negative and think only of us so that leads to fear greed charcter defects etc. The only way out is to do the steps and do your higher power's will which is the right thing, helping others being honest, praying not to be afraid but to be of service etc.
Posted by shadows721 on May 27, 2004, at 21:00:42
In reply to Re: I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by owenus32 on May 27, 2004, at 18:36:49
I've gone to EA, but they haven't addressed the isolation that I have observed. Maybe, I have missed it, because I do. Hmmmm
Posted by owenus32 on May 27, 2004, at 22:15:47
In reply to Re: I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by shadows721 on May 27, 2004, at 21:00:42
Ea is what? overeaters?
Posted by Angel Girl on May 27, 2004, at 22:54:17
In reply to Re: I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by owenus32 on May 27, 2004, at 22:15:47
I have 2 cats that I love more than anything and I do isolate myself. I NEVER go out except to the bank, to buy groceries and to go to my doctor appointments. The only reason I'm still alive is because of my 2 kittys. What would happen to them if I wasn't here????
Angel Girl
Posted by shadows721 on May 28, 2004, at 0:00:59
In reply to Re: I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by owenus32 on May 27, 2004, at 22:15:47
EA is Emotions Anonymous. It has a 12 step based program too.
Posted by Noa on May 28, 2004, at 6:56:53
In reply to I advise you all to get a cat or dog, posted by owenus32 on May 26, 2004, at 12:11:42
I am very ambivalent about getting a pet. Part of me is so strongly drawn to cats and dogs, but I have big reservations.
As to dogs--I'm concerned about all the time I'm not home, leaving a dog inside the apartment. I know, I know, lots of people have happy dogs who stay home during the day in an apartment. But there is still just something about it that worries me. Also with dogs, am I ready to take on the committment of all the care needed--walking several times a day (although that would definitely be good for me) especially in bad weather; cleaning up the droppings--I know I'd get used to it, but it still is one of the biggest drawbacks, you gotta admit; grooming; health care; and boarding if I travel.
Cats are more adaptable to apartment life and are easier to care for, I think. They can stay longer periods by themselves. The main thing I'm not sure about is dealing with the litter box. When I've cared for friends' cats while they're away, I found that my gag reflex reaction to the smell is very strong (this is a side effect of medications--it happens with other smells, too).
I grew up with cats and then a dog but that was living in a house with a huge yard on a quiet street with very little car traffic, so they were inside/outside pets. In good weather, the cats would take care of business in secluded corners of the yard very discreetly or in the woods nearby, so they didn't use the litter box as much. The dog had a long tether so he could play about the yard happily. He did try to escape sometimes when the winds of other doggie happenings in the neighborhood blew his way. He wasn't very well trained about that, but he sure was clever about giving us the slip sometimes!
I also had a cat of my own in my early 20's. I ended up giving him away. Why? Well, I was living in an efficiency apartment--one room--and there was no way to ever get away from the cat. He would get in bed with me and purr so loud, breathing right into my ear that I'd wake up with nightmares of wild animals growling. He also would knead me all the time which disturbed my sleep. I tried training him to not get on the bed--that didn't work. I started to notice that I was feeling resentment toward him and his need for so much affection all the time, and that I was not wanting to give it to him, feeling impatient with him, etc. Around the same time, I also was noticing that whenever I had any children visiting, they loved the cat and the cat adored them. It made me realize I was not giving the cat the best life he could have. So I advertised in the community paper to give him away to a loving home with children. I got lots of calls from kids who hadn't checked with their parents yet! But then I got this phone call from a kid who sounded different--determined and dedicated. He had checked with his dad. The story was that he had had a cat for a long time but one day a repair person, who came by while they were not home, had left the apartment door open for a few minutes and the cat had gotten out and then gotten out the front door of the building and then got hit by a car. They had waited a while to grieve and then decided it was time to get another cat. They came over and I like them and the cat loved the boy and it seemed like a terrific match. I asked if I could call in a week to see how the cat was doing. When I called, the dad told me that the first couple of days was a big adjustment--the cat kind of hunkered in one corner of the boy's bedroom and wouldn't come out. But then he started to venture out of his corner to explore the bedroom and eventually the rest of the house. They renamed him "Rocky" and he was doing well now. Happy ending for the cat.
With both cats and dogs, the other issue is that I started feeling allergic around my late 20's. No severe allergic reactions, just itchy uncomfortable eyes and slightly scratchy throat. The other drawback to both cats and dogs is hair, although I shouldn't really make much of that because I probably shed more than they would! (*l*)
But sometimes I think it would be nice to have a pet. They are so cute and loveable. I like to greet some of my neighbors' dogs when we're out front, although some dogs repulse me while others are very appealing to me. Then there are the ones that I like and because they know I like them, they jump up, which doesn't scare me but I don't always feels like having a dog jump up at me. I actually suggested to one neighbor, whom I have a good relationship with, and who has one of those very appealing but rather exuberant and unbounded young dogs that maybe it's time for behavior training. She said they are going to start soon, especially since someone else in the complex complained about her dog scaring them by jumping.
Anyway, I've rambled big time.
This is the end of the thread.
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