OCD, pet care

Any advice? btw I’m 14 :) I feel so useless I want to give my dog The best life I can and I want to spend lots of time with him because he’s my best friend but Its so hard because of my OCD, I feel like I’m not doing enough. I want to give him long walks everyday or even a walk but my OCD makes it hard for me to do that, I cant even go outside without holding on to someone but I still have compulsions even doing that. Its so tiring and I just want to look after him better but I cant even look after myself, I don’t eat,drink,sleep enough, and my hygine is not that good I feel so gross sometimes but I don’t know what to or how to look after myself, I dont know if anyone would tell me to give him to a better family but I can’t do that I have had my dog since he was 2 months and hes nearly 7. And life would be harder without him, I want to do everything with him since my family doesn’t care as much about him and calls him stupid but I think thats just because they can be very moody because they feel stressed, I wanted to also give my dog a healthy diet but my family acted as if that was a silly thing to do, I want to give him more attention and my OCD has had too much control over me for 3-4 years now, I was supposed to write a message asking how I can be a better best friend & owner to my dog while dealing with OCD but i Just noticed that I wrote too many “I” but this isnt all about me am I selfish? I feel like theres more to say but I can’t explain anything

Students with OCD

1Dgirly

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 43w

Just the thought and urge to want to give him the best life shows just how lucky he is to have you loving him. He is in a safe and warm home with you, has constant access to food and water, and from your passion for him I can tell he gets all the love he deserves. Social media can be a huge trigger for my OCD and thinking I need to be doing “more” or “better” and social media is not real. A lot of people who make pet content use it as a source of informed and treat it as a job. This isn’t to say they don’t love their pets any less, but just to show that all these hours they spend doing extra things (which is great!) also takes up a LOT of their time, and they don’t show the reality of how much time it takes. Your dog is getting the best life you can give him right now, and it’s a great life to have the security you give him. I’ve struggled with this same thought as well. I don’t know what your triggers or compulsions consist of, but one way I can suggest to be a better best friend and owner would be to allow yourself some grace in thinking he needs more, and just spend time with him in ways that don’t trigger you and be fully present in those moments making him feel safe and loved. As you keep working with your therapist, (maybe) slowly but absolutely surely you will gain more control of your OCD and he will get to see your changes and maybe one day, you guys get to take a walk together like you want. What a beautiful goal in confronting your OCD to want to make your pup’s life better. I’m rooting for you!

xxoxxooo

Date posted: 43w

@1Dgirly Thank you so much! And I really appreciate your response it made me smile :), I will try my best!!!

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