When My Pet Ownership Turned My Life Into A Mental Paradox; I Thought I’d Never Escape From It!

Photo by Shovan Datta: 

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​When My Pet Ownership Turned My Life Into A Mental Paradox;

I Thought I’d Never Escape From It!
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Many years ago, my family was going through financial difficulties and we couldn’t take all our dogs to the place where we moved temporarily. It was around this time that I reached a sudden realization that my family and I should not have had pets in the first place when we couldn’t provide support for them nor ourselves at this time in our lives. And, I learned a valuable lesson after my heart was torn into when I had to sign all my dogs over to an animal shelter that only kept animals within two weeks or less and if nobody adopts those animals they will be euthanized; especially the aggressive breeds! Shelters do this in order to free up space to take in more animals. I didn’t know this until months later.

I found myself many times taking in animals that I couldn’t financially support. I remember having 16 dogs at one time. My female and male pit bulls had 2 sets of litters with five other breeds. When I think about it now, sure it sounds really crazy but this actually happened! I did some research and found this information which shed light on a much ignored topic:

Did you know there are several reasons why people pick up strays off the street that they can't afford?:

MENTAL ILLNESS YOU MAY NOT EVEN KNOW YOU HAVE, AND SOME ARE IN DENIAL WHEN IT COMES TO NOT WANTING PEOPLE TO THINK/CALL THEM CRAZY!

This was ME!: Animals equaled Emotional Support to me! It is a fact that animals provide emotional support to people with mental health issues, and the presence of an animal can reduce anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions!

Me- A Sense of Purpose:

People with mental health issues may adopt animals as a way of giving themselves a sense of purpose. Caring for an animal can give someone a sense of responsibility and a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

Me-Loneliness:

Many people with mental health issues experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. Adopting an animal can provide a sense of companionship and reduce feelings of loneliness.

Me-Impulsive Decisions:

People with mental health issues may be more likely to make impulsive decisions, including adopting an animal without fully considering the long-term costs and responsibilities.

Recommendations:

It is unfortunate that some people find themselves in a situation where they can no longer afford to care for their pets or are unable to find a new home for them. However, abandoning animals is never an acceptable solution as it can put them in danger and cause them to suffer. If someone cannot keep their pet and cannot find a new home for him or her, there are a few options available:

1) Reach out to local animal rescue organizations and shelters. Even if they are currently full, they may be able to offer resources or guidance on how to rehome the pet.

2) Consider contacting breed-specific rescues, as they may have more specialized resources and knowledge for that particular breed.

3) Consider fostering the pet temporarily until a new home can be found.
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4) Try reaching out to friends, family, and acquaintances who may be able to take in the pet.

5) Look into pet-friendly housing options to prevent future housing issues. It is important to remember that adopting a pet is a long-term commitment, and people should only do so if they are financially and emotionally prepared to care for them. If someone is unable to continue caring for their pet, they should take the responsibility to ensure the pet is taken care of and find them a safe and loving new home.

Conclusion:

If you read this and it sounds like something you’re experiencing, please seek some kind of counseling! There are lots of resources to turn to. After several devastating heart breaking events like I just mentioned in prior paragraphs, I was determined to get help and self meditation was my go to source because it worked wonders for me, and I’m recovering well. I now parent one dog named ‘Findie’ and some fish… They are enough and affordable for me! And, I’m mentally happy and satisfied. Please be advised, some people may need a professional therapist depending on the the circumstances. I am not a counselor,this is just my personal story and I needed to share. People and all animals deserve to live a happy and healthy life. If you truly love your furry family member do what’s best.They deserve to be properly loved and cared for. Please don’t abandon them, that can turn out horrible! #ididwhatwasbest #selfcarecomesfirst #animalloverforlife

​By Angelus Woods
​Listen & Study Services'
Freelance Writer

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