Story Stray cats helping me recover

[Baldwin IV]

I've been struggling with my mental health for a few years now with thinking about self-harm and planning to ctb. Never gone to therapy or anything like that and I've managed to keep that hidden from my SO and people close to me. I've tried to go into a journey into recovery, reading, talking to people online and lastly coming in contact with stray cats.
I've been feeding and playing with stray cats in my neighborhood and it has helped a lot to put some things into perspective, yet, I also envy the simplicity of their lives in contrast to the suffering that is the human existence. Nevertheless I wanted to share how they have helped, even if it is only temporary.

 

[アホペンギン]

I'm doing the same, they are distracting me from ctb thoughts and negativity but everything comes back to me sooner or later and worse than before at times.

There is actually a black kitten that I go outside for nearly every day.. When it sees me, it follows me and I take a walk with it. It waits for me, I wait for it. When I call it, it comes and it follows me everywhere and when it arrives back home (where it stays, normally) it stops following me and I go home as well. It makes me smile. (It doesn't do it for food, but I give it snacks every few days because it already has food from other people)

 

[Baldwin IV]

I'm doing the same, they are distracting me from ctb thoughts and negativity but everything comes back to me sooner or later and worse than before at times.

I've come to really love cats, they are such beautiful creatures that can give love and affection. I'm thinking of taking one home to distract me from those thoughts. I used have a grey cat much like the one in your picture. He was poisoned a few years ago. I'd like to think that whenever I leave this world I'll see him again.

 

[アホペンギン]

I've come to really love cats, they are such beautiful creatures that can give love and affection. I'm thinking of taking one home to distract me from those thoughts. I used have a grey cat much like the one in your picture. He was poisoned a few years ago. I'd like to think that whenever I leave this world I'll see him again.

Its a good idea to take a cat home, its good for your mental health and I would definitely do that as well if I was mentally stable right now.

I'm so sorry that happened to him.. I hope he is at peace now and you two can meet again soon…

 

[Larysa]

I love this. If you feel up to it you could contact your local small rescue and help with TNR. You would then be making a huge difference to their lives.

I just adopted a stray last week. It wasn't planned, but the rescues are overflowing here and there was no where else for him to go. He's an absolute little darling.

I used to foster kittens/oldies which I loved, but it is quite full on if you get given sick ones.

 

[Dayrain]

There is actually a black kitten that I go outside for nearly every day.. When it sees me, it follows me and I take a walk with it. It waits for me, I wait for it. When I call it, it comes and it follows me everywhere and when it arrives back home (where it stays, normally) it stops following me and I go home as well. It makes me smile. (It doesn't do it for food, but I give it snacks every few days because it already has food from other people)

That is lovely. For how long in m or km does it actually follow you, cause they are still very independence loving after all.

 

[アホペンギン]

That is lovely. For how long in m or km does it actually follow you, cause they are still very independence loving after all.

Where I live, its a big apartment complex. There are many buildings lined up in an oval shape and in the middle of them theres a path (the path that I walk on with the cat), parks, pools, and a lake. I don't know how long this path is but its quite long, it takes me ~20-30 minutes to walk the whole way.

This kitten is very smart, I think.. It sits still and looks at the camera or makes a cute pose when I try to take a picture of it and follows me like this, very polite cat.

 

[Dayrain]

Where I live, its a big apartment complex. There are many buildings lined up in an oval shape and in the middle of them theres a path (the path that I walk on with the cat), parks, pools, and a lake. I don't know how long this path is but its quite long, it takes me ~20-30 minutes to walk the whole way.

This kitten is very smart, I think.. It sits still and looks at the camera or makes a cute pose when I try to take a picture of it and follows me like this, very polite cat.

Beautiful. Yes, stray kitten are usually pretty smart and friendly I think. They have to be as well, but I definitely think it does like you.

 

[rabbitmalice56]

I'm doing the same, they are distracting me from ctb thoughts and negativity but everything comes back to me sooner or later and worse than before at times.

There is actually a black kitten that I go outside for nearly every day.. When it sees me, it follows me and I take a walk with it. It waits for me, I wait for it. When I call it, it comes and it follows me everywhere and when it arrives back home (where it stays, normally) it stops following me and I go home as well. It makes me smile. (It doesn't do it for food, but I give it snacks every few days because it already has food from other people)
View attachment 120112

Haha i also have a cat that looks literally just like that, that i can easily take a walk around my neighbourhood with

 

[nolifezzz]

cats are the best.

 

[Renee]

I hope this helps.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...
Hi Baldwin 4. I do not know what you are going through or anything. I did try to CTB once. I got 35 + stitches in my left wrist and will always have scars. I know you do not think so but it will affect your SO. I know a woman that her husband CTB and even though she remarried it always left a hole in her heart a divorce or normal death did not.

I am not trying to brow beat guilt into you, just to share the fact when we are clinically depressed we dont think musch about that. I hope you can get over this and live a happy life. You are right sometimes help is temporary. Like me writing to you helps me not have SI if only temporary. Hugs, Renee

 

[ThatStateOfMind]

I've been struggling with my mental health for a few years now with thinking about self-harm and planning to ctb. Never gone to therapy or anything like that and I've managed to keep that hidden from my SO and people close to me. I've tried to go into a journey into recovery, reading, talking to people online and lastly coming in contact with stray cats.
I've been feeding and playing with stray cats in my neighborhood and it has helped a lot to put some things into perspective, yet, I also envy the simplicity of their lives in contrast to the suffering that is the human existence. Nevertheless I wanted to share how they have helped, even if it is only temporary.

It's kinda nutty that I'm seeing this post. Just last night/this morning, I had a dream that I took in like 7 stray cats. I probably never would, but I love cats, and the dream of playing with that many stray cats was great. I am very happy you found something to bring you comfort.

 

[CantTurnBack]

I really love my cat so much, I can't imagine life without him!

 

[Baldwin IV]

I hope this helps.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...
Hi Baldwin 4. I do not know what you are going through or anything. I did try to CTB once. I got 35 + stitches in my left wrist and will always have scars. I know you do not think so but it will affect your SO. I know a woman that her husband CTB and even though she remarried it always left a hole in her heart a divorce or normal death did not.

I am not trying to brow beat guilt into you, just to share the fact when we are clinically depressed we dont think musch about that. I hope you can get over this and live a happy life. You are right sometimes help is temporary. Like me writing to you helps me not have SI if only temporary. Hugs, Renee

I'd like to believe I'm on the road to recovery and that ongoing stuff is temporary, but there are just some things I can't discuss with my wife without I think her feeling she's not enough or maybe hurting her feelings. Thank you for your kind words.

 

[Dayrain]

This kitten

How is it doing?

 

[アホペンギン]

How is it doing?

It is gradually getting colder, since we are nearing the end of the year and around this time the cats start to go somewhere.. I don't know where they go since I'm never around to see them leaving but among these cats, the kitten has also left. I will see all the cats again possibly in the spring, in addition to some new cats but to level out the amount of cats in the area some of the previous cats won't come back.. :(

The last time I saw the kitten was a week or so ago, it was doing well and it still did the same as before.. I hope it's currently doing well, such a sweet kitten.

 

[Dayrain]

It is gradually getting colder, since we are nearing the end of the year and around this time the cats start to go somewhere.. I don't know where they go since I'm never around to see them leaving but among these cats, the kitten has also left. I will see all the cats again possibly in the spring, in addition to some new cats but to level out the amount of cats in the area some of the previous cats won't come back.. :(

The last time I saw the kitten was a week or so ago, it was doing well and it still did the same as before.. I hope it's currently doing well, such a sweet kitten.

Many thanks for the detailed answer. I always love to hear stray cats stories.

 

[BananiFatFat]

Cats are the best.

 

[Dayrain]

the kitten

If it should happen that you see it again, I would be glad for you.

 

[thx1138]

Cats are wonderful creatures and you are SO kind and sweet to help and feed them. It's so incredible and brave that you are fighting this recovery battle. I wish you all the best with it. The world needs more people like you.