Venting having a pet could save my life but im poor and i cant even take care of myself

[heavyheartpig]

theres no way i could handle being in charge of a living thing i couldnt even water my succulents properly a few years back and they died LMAO. im way too lazy and irresponsible and i'd hate for it to have to deal with my bs. but watching and being with animals is one of the few things that makes me feel genuinely at peace and maybe even grateful to be alive i really love them so much. the neighbors' dogs got through the fence earlier this year and i smiled so big petting the friendly one her eyes were so pretty and loving. my chest felt tight and warm just petting her and staring into her eyes. and now the holes in the fence are plugged up which is good for keeping the dogs safe but i miss them so much

 

[eggsausagerice]

my pa had a crisis while i was in high school where he bought a fish tank and tried to take care of fish, but he was bad at it. i think that they're one of the more low maintenance pets to have since the hardest part is buying all the hoohah a fish needs so it doesn't die. i think the variety of fish you could take care of is cool too. you could take care of smaller fish like shrimp or snails, or take care of a big koi. i had a fish phase at the same time my dad did where i would watch tons of videos about making aquascapes, but i never got into it myself. i've just always liked aquariums.

 

[heavyheartpig]

that's true!! :> i love the sea and marine animals! my family and i all had fish when i was a kid but i was totally ignorant about caring for them. i'd be a lot more attentive and careful now that i'm older. i might give it another try if i can find a job :) one of my best friends has shrimp and they're so cute hehe i love when she posts videos of them
oh yeah, forgot to thank you for the link!!

 

[bankai]

I hope you get to have the pets you want OP,you sound like you'd love and care for them.
I had every pet under the sun growing up.Dogs,pigeons,parrots,fish,rabbits.

Enjoyed keeping them.

 

[heavyheartpig]

I hope you get to have the pets you want OP,you sound like you'd love and care for them.
I had every pet under the sun growing up.Dogs,pigeons,parrots,fish,rabbits.

Enjoyed keeping them.

thank you!! i'm grateful that i can at least visit animal sanctuaries in the meantime :)
that's so awesome, must have been one busy household haha!

 

[bankai]

thank you!! i'm grateful that i can at least visit animal sanctuaries in the meantime :)
that's so awesome, must have been one busy household haha!

Not all at the same time. All throughout my childhood I had all these pets at different times.

 

[heavyheartpig]

Not all at the same time. All throughout my childhood I had all these pets at different times.

OOHHH i don't know why i assumed that LMAO

 

[cemeteryismyhome]

I hope you get a pet. But just to offer an unpopular opinion... pets drive me up the wall. There are two in my house even though I specifically asked not to have any. The hair, the dirt tracked in, cat throwing up on the floor, dog constantly wanting attention, every time I eat or move I have eyes on me and expectations. I know I'm weird like that. I love animals but pets give me panic attacks. I'm a little jealous of people who get something out of having a pet. For me it's just an energy drain.

 

[heavyheartpig]

I hope you get a pet. But just to offer an unpopular opinion... pets drive me up the wall. There are two in my house even though I specifically asked not to have any. The hair, the dirt tracked in, cat throwing up on the floor, dog constantly wanting attention, every time I eat or move I have eyes on me and expectations. I know I'm weird like that. I love animals but pets give me panic attacks. I'm a little jealous of people who get something out of having a pet. For me it's just an energy drain.

aww jeez, i can understand that! some of my friends always complain about their pets doing dumb shit or just being annoying when i had pets as a kid, my parents did most of the work - now, i'd have to take charge and it would probably be a lot more draining!

 

[gottacheckout]

My family had pets for as long as I can remember and from a young age I was allowed to have my own pet. I had to take care of it. Feed, water and clean up after it. If appropriate I'd also have to exercise it. Most of the usual pets lived at the house in town. The odd ones would stay at the ranch, my cousin and myself talked my uncle into letting us keep an accidental bull he was supposed to be a she according to the artificial insemination company. He was big and mean but the two of us could do anything we wanted with him. He escaped one night became a daddy bull many times over. My uncle was into the whole artificial insemination to build the herd and was not happy with him or us.

Presently I share my house with 2 cats and a dog. Anytime I'm feeling down one or all will crawl up on me to comfort me. It works very well

 

[WakingNightmare]

You seem to love dogs OP, why don't you offer to walk the neighbours dog or play with them for a while?

 

[heavyheartpig]

My family had pets for as long as I can remember and from a young age I was allowed to have my own pet. I had to take care of it. Feed, water and clean up after it. If appropriate I'd also have to exercise it. Most of the usual pets lived at the house in town. The odd ones would stay at the ranch, my cousin and myself talked my uncle into letting us keep an accidental bull he was supposed to be a she according to the artificial insemination company. He was big and mean but the two of us could do anything we wanted with him. He escaped one night became a daddy bull many times over. My uncle was into the whole artificial insemination to build the herd and was not happy with him or us.

Presently I share my house with 2 cats and a dog. Anytime I'm feeling down one or all will crawl up on me to comfort me. It works very well

oh wow, that's quite a story haha! i love bulls and other ranch animals :) (well, not that i've actually interacted with one before, but i still think they're cool)

i'm glad your pets help you feel better, that's so sweet!!

You seem to love dogs OP, why don't you offer to walk the neighbours dog or play with them for a while?

well... they're a family, and the dogs actually belong to the grandmother of the kids there - she doesn't live with them. at the time, she was visiting, and i don't think she comes around all that often!

i'd like to volunteer at a shelter one day. for now it would be tough because i rely on my father to drive me places and i wouldn't want to burden him, especially going far distances. but it's still a nice idea to look forward to! :)

 

[darksouls]

my dog vomited or pooped on the carpet at least once a week
I miss her
rest in peace

 

[heavyheartpig]

my dog vomited or pooped on the carpet at least once a week
I miss her
rest in peace

aww nooo, i'm sorry for your loss! rest in peace...

 

[sambrosia]

My cats bring me great joy, the bigger chubby one in particular is a great emotional support animal. But, they also leave hair and dander all over my tiny apartment, and since I never clean and I'm allergic, I'm constantly dying lmao

 

[greebo6]

Think carefully as they need and they deserve the best care. Only get one if you can give them the best care and attention. Otherwise it just isn't fair. Their hearts can break just like humans.

 

[alwaysalone]

Think carefully as they need and they deserve the best care. Only get one if you can give them the best care and attention. Otherwise it just isn't fair. Their hearts can break just like humans.

I agree but I also can't help but think a shelter or pound puppy who maybe can't have the best food or even doesn't get all their vax are still happier in a home with a loving owner. It's a problem I'm constantly debating in my head. There have been times in my life I couldn't afford preventative every month (before pet insurance) and I couldn't afford the best food. Sometimes my babies got behind on their vaccines because I couldn't afford it. They always had food they always had a clean warm/cool home (always inside). Would they have been better off if I had left them at the pound??? It's a hard problem.

 

[bankai]

I agree but I also can't help but think a shelter or pound puppy who maybe can't have the best food or even doesn't get all their vax are still happier in a home with a loving owner. It's a problem I'm constantly debating in my head. There have been times in my life I couldn't afford preventative every month (before pet insurance) and I couldn't afford the best food. Sometimes my babies got behind on their vaccines because I couldn't afford it. They always had food they always had a clean warm/cool home (always inside). Would they have been better off if I had left them at the pound??? It's a hard problem.

Well said. I think they're better off with you. You're trying your best. You're giving it your best shot.

 

[alwaysalone]

Well said. I think they're better off with you. You're trying your best. You're giving it your best shot.

In the concept of the bigger picture I agree most of the time. When I couldn't afford preventive every month I felt horribly guilty. But they were loved never abused never hungry. I believe they were happy.

 

[greebo6]

I agree but I also can't help but think a shelter or pound puppy who maybe can't have the best food or even doesn't get all their vax are still happier in a home with a loving owner. It's a problem I'm constantly debating in my head. There have been times in my life I couldn't afford preventative every month (before pet insurance) and I couldn't afford the best food. Sometimes my babies got behind on their vaccines because I couldn't afford it. They always had food they always had a clean warm/cool home (always inside). Would they have been better off if I had left them at the pound??? It's a hard problem.

I understand that dilemma but the love you gave your babies was certainly very special .

 

[LostLily]

same I love animal but I barely can take care of myself. My friend has a dog and I love the dog but his energy is overwhelming.

 

[Haibane-renmei-reki]

theres no way i could handle being in charge of a living thing i couldnt even water my succulents properly a few years back and they died LMAO. im way too lazy and irresponsible and i'd hate for it to have to deal with my bs. but watching and being with animals is one of the few things that makes me feel genuinely at peace and maybe even grateful to be alive i really love them so much. the neighbors' dogs got through the fence earlier this year and i smiled so big petting the friendly one her eyes were so pretty and loving. my chest felt tight and warm just petting her and staring into her eyes. and now the holes in the fence are plugged up which is good for keeping the dogs safe but i miss them so much

yes, a pet can have HUGE benefits for mental health, but i am too poor for it, see this:

Having a pet is as good for your well-being as marriage — or making an extra $90K a year

A new study shows having a pet provides a massive boost in life satisfaction — and reveals the personality traits of dog and cat owners.

nypost.com

 

[xiaoxiongmao]

If you are not committed to the pets, I would strongly suggest not to take such responsibility.

I feel bad having my 3 pets (one with me for 13 years) but I should have enough money saved up for the rest of their lives in case of my passing.

Here are my solutions for you:
1. Volunteer at a shelter
2. Fostering (the shelter will cover all the cost)
3. Make some money by becoming a dog walker or cat sitter on Rover!

1 and 2 will be especially rewarding because you would feel that your life is meaningful by helping out those little guys who are in need.
3 is good for your wallet ;)

 

[Pluto]