I could really use some support and understanding.
The short story is that I rescued a cat, kitten and adopted another kitten, so I have three cats altogether.
I have never had more than three cats, and that is the number I can't imagine ever going beyond.
I adopted them when I was unemployed and living below poverty line.
I was living all alone with no family of my own to take care of, and also missed the therapeutic aspect of cat companionship (I have PTSD and depression). One day I saw them and my heart decided that I will do all I can to keep them safe and loved.
They have been well taken care of so far, and are very happy.
I get upset with people who play the old "don't adopt if you can't afford" card. My understanding is that, so long as you have the space and the heart, it is great to take care of an animal that would otherwise have lived out his life at shelters, overburdened as they are with unwanted pets. It's a win-win situation. (But of course, there are always exceptions to any rule, and I'm aware of that.)
People don't understand this and are very hard on me. My family sees them as just "cats", not as how sacred they are to me, and chide me.
This reinforces the guilt I secretly feel inside - that perhaps I've lost touch with reality, or am going through middle age crisis, or that this is just a very bad sign altogether.
I just wanted to know whether I really am insane, and/or if anyone can relate.
The short story is that I rescued a cat, kitten and adopted another kitten, so I have three cats altogether.
I have never had more than three cats, and that is the number I can't imagine ever going beyond.
I adopted them when I was unemployed and living below poverty line.
I was living all alone with no family of my own to take care of, and also missed the therapeutic aspect of cat companionship (I have PTSD and depression). One day I saw them and my heart decided that I will do all I can to keep them safe and loved.
They have been well taken care of so far, and are very happy.
I get upset with people who play the old "don't adopt if you can't afford" card. My understanding is that, so long as you have the space and the heart, it is great to take care of an animal that would otherwise have lived out his life at shelters, overburdened as they are with unwanted pets. It's a win-win situation. (But of course, there are always exceptions to any rule, and I'm aware of that.)
People don't understand this and are very hard on me. My family sees them as just "cats", not as how sacred they are to me, and chide me.
This reinforces the guilt I secretly feel inside - that perhaps I've lost touch with reality, or am going through middle age crisis, or that this is just a very bad sign altogether.
I just wanted to know whether I really am insane, and/or if anyone can relate.
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