Volounteering and animals

That's great...I've volunteered for a dog/cat rescue group for many years and I love it. I started off on the dog side of the rescue but switched to the cat side after a couple of years. I actually recommend getting 2 if you are looking at kittens under 6 months of age because kittens do really well if they have a buddy that they can play with...especially when you aren't home. They get in less trouble that way. :) In fact, I adopted a pair 14 yrs ago...they have been best friends and worst enemies...but mainly best friends. Good luck!

GG that's a very positive step! I would volunteer my time on charities as well. It is the most rewarding spiritually. To see a smile. Oh my! My life has a purpose :) Keep going Keep healing Keep NC!

Volunteering was a sore spot between the ex-Psych and I. It was one of the nails in the coffin of the relationship, so to speak. I thought it would show that I had a life independent from his, and that as a teacher, he'd be proud of me. I volunteered at a local elementary school down the street from the college. He was livid, envious and raging. He'd rage at me because I wasn't making $$$. He&I didn't share an apartment, finances, so WHY DID HE CARE? If we had a joint bank account, then his concerns would have had some validity. I enjoyed volunteering. The first&second graders were far more civilized than him. Reading them stories, being around their enthusiasm... it was rejuvenating. I found it inspiring. I didn't care that I wasn't making $$$, I was in it for the experience. After the final D&D, I bonded with my roommate's cat. Great rebound relationship. I'd cuddle her, she'd find me in my room, be affectionate. Okay, the cat didn't provide an adult, mature relationship... but it was better than anything I got from the ex-P!!!!

Voluteering is a great way to not only keep yourself occupied it also keeps your mind focused on something other than your pain. I am a strong advocate of volunteering and am sure that it has expedited my recovery. Good for you, give all that love to the pooches and see how quickly it comes back. My pup is my best friend and companion. He is all about playing and love. Keeps it simple. God bless, Goldie

I adopted my dog from a local no-kill shelter last May...he is REALLY cool...part pointer, part boxer and tons of fun. His litter survived the tornadoes in Alabama last April. I liked that he was a survivor, just like me. This dog has been an amazing source of calm, stability and unconditional companionship. I cannot stress how much an animal brings to your environment in a calming, happy way. Adopt a homeless cat or a dog - you will be so busy falling madly in love with it that you won't be thinking of the ex for long. by the way, my 13 year old son volunteers at that same shelter one weekend per month...he loves it.

Good for you! I think volunteering is a great idea, and actually would like to do this myself. I have always loved animals and they enrich my life so much. I've always had a menagerie in one form or another for as long as I can remember (dogs, cats, horses, rabbits, whatever). Pets are very important in my world. I so want to adopt a baby cat, or a youngster, but there are days when I barely can handle myself, and be self responsible. How could I take care of a pet and myself? Personally, I think you'll find that having a pet is such a wonderful addition to your life that things become actually easier in some ways. There's always someone waiting at home that really looks forward to your company. Someone that loves you unconditionally. I currently have two dogs that I adopted from rescues. Both of them were abused and both of them were starved when I got them. You could literally see every rib and every single vertebrae on my basset hound's back because he was so malnourished. My coonhound had also been abused and someone had tried (unsuccessfully) to have an de-barking operation performed on him. I absolutely cringe to think what kinds of abuse his barking got him. Both dogs had been dumped on the streets by their previous owners. I have never had two more loyal, appreciative friends than my two dogs. They seem to know they're safe now, and really appreciate having a home. I love them dearly. When xnh dumped me, I cried and cried for weeks. I was quite an emotional wreck for many months afterwards. I could count on my dogs always remaining very close to me whenever I cried or was upset. Animals seem to sense people feelings, and my dogs always know when I need a snuggle or a dog kiss. Where xnh never accepted me for the person I really am, my dogs love me just because I'm there. They really WANT to be around me. In addition, because they were both rescues that were abandoned on the street, my dogs seem to really appreciate having a home. They have security now, and what they think is a really great "hunter/gatherer" (me) to bring home their dog food every day. rofl. As for myself, I don't live alone. I live with my two dog buddies. They're not a responsibility to me. They're creatures that I love, and I'm happy to have the privilege of having them in my life. They've added so much into my world. My dogs are there when I need a shoulder to cry on, and they also frequently provide me a good laugh or an excuse to go on a nice walk with them. Face it, what's NOT good about laughing when you look over to see a basset hound asleep on his back with all four feet sticking straight up into the air, or a coonhound that falls over peeing on a post while a four-wheeler he wants to bark at happens to drives by...and yes, he stood up after with this and gave me a look that said, "I MEANT to do that". lol. I would highly recommend volunteering and/or bringing home a pet. It will improve your life more than you'll ever know. Huge hugs.