has an animal changed your life?

[lute]

has an animal ever changed your life? saved your life? been a good friend? etc.

[cassiesmom]

Sometimes I look at Cassie when she comes to me for petting, or gives her little meow when she knows I am getting her food ready. And I wonder, why does this cat show me affection? Whatever did she see when we met that day at the shelter? I feed her, I give her a clean litter box, and a place that's warm and safe. I pet her and give her toys to play with, and more hugs and snuggles than she probably wants. What does this cat see in me ? How she has changed me - when I am away from home I know that she is there, and when I walk in the door she will be happy to see me, and after I feed her and take care of her cat box, she will reward me with the comfort of her companionship. To be wanted when I have felt depressed and unlovable. That is a very nice thing to have in life. :)

[Suki Wingy]

I was kind of indifferent about rabbits til I got Oslo.

[*iluvskipper*]

Yes of course Skipper has changed my life I mean like now that he's gone i really appreciate him more than ever... And I miss him so much.

[binka_nugget]

Yes!

Kai is the reason I'm still alive today. Before he came into my life, I was extremely suicidal. I had a plan and intended on following through. Kai, the family dog, quickly turned into MY dog. He depended on me and I knew that. I fell back into my depression recently (I've been started on medication) and again couldn't do anything because I knew my two boys were depending on me.

Kaedyn's also the reason why I teach obedience and plan on turning it into my career. Right after we adopted him he started showing aggressive tendencies so I was forced to get into trainer mode. If I hadn't put all the hard work (and money!) into his training, he would certainly have been euthanized by now for being aggressive.

[chocolatepuppy]

My RB Mandy. She was the love of my life. Losing her has been devastating and has changed me forever. :(
Layla has been a lifesaver in that she keeps me busy and gives me a reason to go on each day. Yes, I have three other furkids but they don't need the attention Layla does. She brought happiness back to my life. :)

[JALB]

I voted yes. I used to be scared of dogs until I met Shelby, a Golden Retriever who lives next door to me. She is one of the reasons why I love Goldens.

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I'd say that each of my pets has changed my life in some way, all for the better.

The one that has probably made the biggest change though is my cat, Oliver. I always wanted cats but was terribly allergic to them. I found Oliver as a tiny kitten behind the building I worked in. He was not only small, but he also had a badly injured leg. My boss helped me trap him and take him to the vet. The vet said that Oliver was very lucky we got him when we did, his leg was very bad and another couple days and he might not have been able to save it. According to Oliver's teeth the vet said he was at least 6 months old, though he was no bigger than a 10 week old kitten. The vet also found some old injuries on Oliver that most likely are the reason for his stunted growth (also poor nutrition/ lack of food). The vet was hopeful but told us that there was a chance that Oliver may not grow much more. Despite my allergies after his surgery I brought Oliver home. I planned on finding him a home once he had recovered and had a clean bill of health. I fell totally in love with him and he was forever home with me. My allergies eventually got better and over time disappeared. Oliver did eventually grow into a normal sized cat too. If it wasn't for Oliver I may not have ever known the love of a cat. Now I have the love of 5 and hopefully more to come someday.

[GreyhoundGirl]

She changes my life everyday. :D

[jackmilliesmom]

Of course Jack and Millie have changed my life. I had an accident about three years back and when my foot gives me trouble now they both sit on the that side of my body at home or when we visit our parents protecting me from accidental bumps and such like. but in other ways I am always happy to see them even if I am in grumpy humour in the morning once they come in to say hi!!! I am in great form for the rest of the day they are amazing.

They love to sit on my knee when we watch t.v. in the evenings and Millie is a lick-a-holic and would lick you to death, she is just great its like she is constantly saying thanks for rescuing me. Jack well he is "JUST JACK" (like Jack from Will and Grace) he is his own man/dog but loves me unconditionally and I love them both for that.

They are my miniture hero's.......

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Tobey was the reason for me getting out of bed when my Dad died. Without his love I wouldn't have coped

[moosmom]

My cat Mollie Rose (age 13) has changed my life forever!! I am a REFORMED cat hater.

My daughter and I went to the Bill Wilson House in East Dorset, VT for a weekend and their barn cat had 4 kittens. Mollie Rose and her twin were laying head to head on the pavement of the barn. My daughter hounded me all weekend long, telling me I needed a pet to come home to. I finally gave in. It was the BEST decision I ever made and she is still with me to this day. My blood pressure is normal, I adore cats. This precious little tortie with a tude turned this cat hater around 380 degrees. I can never see my life without them now.

[Zippy]

Zippy is my heart cat.I love her so much.She is my baby and was my first real pet.She was with me for my depression and my 3 moves.Pumpkin and Zippy cheer me up everday.My bettas have forever changed my outlook on fish.I thought fish were boring and had no personaitly.Shipwreak and Sam my bettas before where great fish but Nemo really changed my outlook.When I got Nemo my love for bettas was born.My female Tugboat got me to fall in love with female bettas.I thought female were ugly and boring :o Tugster changed that.

[cyber-sibes]

Absolutely! Their love and companionship keeps me going.

[sumbirdy]

Every animal I get changes my life in some way. They all make me happier (and drive me crazy sometimes, too :rolleyes: ). I've come to realize that each animal can have a very different personality. They teach me to be nicer, gentler, and to play more often. I know I end up a better person for knowing each one of them.

[Miss Z]

Horses changed my life! Ever since that very first riding lesson I had over 10 years ago I've always had an unbreakable love for all things equine. I'm sure I'll always be the same from now on ;)

Of course, all my pets always change my life each day, to make them happier and well worth living for :D

[Alysser]

The love my animals give me each day is amazing. That love is something I can never live without.

[wolflady]

Good posts, everyone! Some of these stories are so touching!
Ashley, I'm glad your doggies help with your depression. Believe me, it's not a fun thing to have, and animals really do help out a lot.

I love all of my animals, but Marius is my heart cat and we share a special connection. He always makes me feel better when I'm feeling down by climing into my lap, purring and nuzzling me. I can't help but feel better when he comforts me. :)

**hugs**

[Foxed]

I don't know where I'd be without my kids. :) A fat lazy kid who never goes outside? Yeah, probably. xDD I got started in agility because of Chance...Dolly is my best friend. I like my dogs better than almost all of my friends and sometimes my family.

[mruffruff]

When I was out of work, out of friends and away from most of my relatives, my daughter got me an Australian Terrier. He was my reason for coming home from work and sweet companion. I've had a dog ever since.

I wasn't into cats until a stray black cat decided he was going to live with me. He pushed his way onto my lap on the front porch one day and just refused to leave. After several days camped on the porch, he was invited in. He met all of the dogs with no fuss, had impeccable manners and loved everyone. He earned the neighbors respect by catching rodents. He slept on one side of me while the 'big dog' slept on the other side. Black Jack stayed exactly one year and one day before he left. He is the reason I have cats today --- and always will.

[lvpets2002]

:) Oh for sure My Babies Are My Life.. I live each day with happiness due to them..

[Cubby'sMom]

I voted yes. My cat's Cubby and Henry have changed my life significantly. Cubby I've had for a while and he's my little boy, and I love him to pieces! :o A lot of the time in the past few years I've had problems with my family and such so it felt like he was the only one who would love me no matter what I did or said. And he was. He knew when I was in a bad mood and helped me out by being a lot more affectionate then usual and sometimes just leaving me to myself so I could think things through. My other kitty, Henry, is one of the most affectionate cats you could ever have. He usually stays outside because of my dad :( so I go out there often to just sit with him. He gives me a great sense of peace and sometimes I'll sit out there for 10 mins. or so, just petting him.

[Lady's Human]

When I first saw this poll, all I could think of is how can an animal NOT change your life?

Every pet I've ever had has affected me in a good way, and I can't see it any other way.

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

The day I got my dear Sydney, was the first day of my new life: NEVER again would I be all alone in my house!!
He he, I have 4 cats now, :p ;)

[Chilli]

Indeed they have. =)
Melani(my sister's cat) turned my thoughts about cats around. I'll admit it, I once disliked cats. After being able to actually get to know one, I fell in love, and got a cat of my own.

I agree with what was said already.. how can an animal not change your life? They're such influential beings. :D

[dab_20]

My dogs have helped me get through a lot of changes in my life. When my parents got divoriced, my RB Missy comforted me. When I moved, Molli helped me just look on the bright side. I just can't wait to get my Sam back. I've been through worse difficulties these last few years, and my animals really helped me get through them.

[Reachoutrescue]

Oh, my yes!! When I was younger, I had a Saint Bernard and she was my best bud. She sat by my side every day after I had surgery when I was 16. She was my everything. She protected me against my mean brother as well. Now, I can say that she gave true meaning to a best friend. I have several animals here that I love, but my Moose will always be my number one!!

[Wolfy]

I assume we all constantly experience the up-lifts of spirit that come from each sight of or contact with our little buddies, which of course, are life-changing in themselves. ;)

But in a more significant sense, here's a "maybe",...you decide...:

Wolfy is an extremely and expressively affectionate cat. But like all of us, he has times when his interests are elsewhere, and going about his business is more intriguing than paying attention to his pet people.

One morning last week, to all appearances, he was in such a mood,...walking away to explore other things rather than be petted or picked-up, when I offered.

Turning to my computer, it was only a few moments later that I noticed difficulty reading the screen, and very shortly had lost half my field of vision, and began to have difficulty finding words, becoming uncharacteristically inarticulate.

My "girlfriend" (of 20+ years) immediately said "stroke" , and began preparations to take me to the hospital. At this time I could not see half of her face, no matter which eye I covered,..the effect was the same,...which indicated it was a brain problem, not an eye problem.

It was during these moments of realization of what was happening, that Wolfy came to me, insisted upon being picked-up, and stood on my lap doing the push-head loud purr thing with his face against mine, I mean VERY insistently, in complete reversal of his behavior of moments before.

I took time to clean-up a bit, shave, etc., while Pat warmed up the truck, , called the hospital, and otherwise prepared to leave.

By the time we were ready to go,...every symptom was completely gone!

We went anyway, of course, and after a cat scan ( :D, or should I say ANOTHER one?) the Dr. said "T.I.A" (Transient Ischemic Attack).

So transient, in this case, that the cat scan showed no evidence of the occurrence. (There was evidence, he said of an earlier, apparently small and unnoticed event, but nothing from this one).

So,...was there a "Wolfy effect" involved in this dramatic change for the better?,...or was it just in the nature of a T.I.A.?

We're giving Wolfy full credit, in any case. At the very least, he seemed aware, and wishing me well in as obvious a manner as he could.

Best wishes to all,

Wolfy ( I asked to use this forum name in Wolfy's honor,...he purred "Sure!")

[Pembroke_Corgi]

Of course! My pets are one of the reasons I look forward to getting up each day! It's nice to have someone unconditionally love you. :)

[manda_moo87]

Yup, my Squeek sure has been a blessing in my life.

After my first kitty Perkins was PTS, I was very depressed and didn't see how it would be possible to love anything again. When we got her she changed that for me and made life worth living again, she's my rock and I don't know what I'd do without her.