Pets and anxiety

I’m just here to vent a little and hopefully I can get some advice… My brother recently out his dog up for adoption that has been in the family for 6 years. I’m a wreck and I can’t stop picturing him in a shelter all alone, I feel heartbroken and im going down there first thing in the morning and gonna adopt him myself. I’m praying I can get to him but I’m also terrified of taking care of another living thing. I’m damn near 30 and I feel worried that I can’t give him everything he deserves because I’m an anxious wreck all the time but I also know that no one can love him as much as me. How do I get over this awful feeling of worry and anxiety running through my body? Leave him in the shelter is not a choice , I’d feel guilty for the rest of my life and I love him too damn much. Am I crazy or do others feel this way about having this much responsibility over anther living thing :/

Username: ElleB97ElleB97

Date posted: 8w ago

He will be so happy to see you! You can do this - just the amount of care you've shown by wanting to go save him from the shelter shows that you'll be amazing at looking after him. I felt the same way about taking care of another living thing when I got my first pup, but he's helped me feel so much peace. Especially in my darkest moments. And now I have two :)

Username: Anon849Anon849

Date posted: 8w ago

Most dogs only require food, water, a walk or two and some good old cuddles. You got this! You might even come to find that having this dog with you helps sooth some of your anxiety and encourages you to go outside and get some fresh air even when you're distressed. As much as you will love the heck out of that dog, that dog is going to love you more than anyone else in the world. Having a pet while being an anxious wreck makes this all less lonely.

Username: Nann Nann

Date posted: 8w ago

My pets help me so much with my mental issues. They bring a sense of peace to me. Go get the dog. You both will be so happy

Username: smbenjamin88

Date posted: 3y ago

I was thinking of getting a dog for emotional support. If you do have a pet, does it help ease the anxiety? Any advice or words of wisdom?

Username: cheerfully

Date posted: 2y ago

I just got my own kitten today and am having a lot of ocd and anxiety about it 😞. I grew up with dogs and a cat my entire life in my family home and never had a problem. Although since moving into my own place I’ve never had one of my own specifically. I got my kitten today (I love my family pets and always wanted my own) but I’m soooo anxious. My ocd is terrible!’ Im worrying what if it was the wrong choice, what if something goes wrong , he ruins something, chews chords and causes a fire, changes my feeling of control over my living space, contamination fears , etc. whyyyyyyy do I feel this what do I do

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 38w ago

Pet Obsessions

Let me preface this by saying all three of my cats are alive, well, and healthy. Does anyone else get really distressed by their pets’ mortality? Like I cannot escape thoughts about their health, wondering if they’re happy, if I’m a good caregiver, worrying about when they’ll pass and how hard that will be and that I’ll inevitably feel like I’ve failed them. I feel intensely guilty often for things like leaving for work or not allowing them in the bedroom when I sleep (bc they keep me up) even though logically I know I shouldn’t feel bad. And I have a lot of guilt about not being able to take a past cat while leaving an abusive situation three years ago (she is definitely okay, she’s well cared for, I checked with an old mutual friend). I just love them so much, I want them to be okay.

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Pets and anxiety

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