Talking about pets.

[Former-Member]

Hi @Harry. I think a chook would be a good mascot because of its care-free nature and tenacious spirit. Chickens, the poor critters, will tolerate almost anything hail or sunshine. They adapt to so many environments even though ideally they should be running free in a large enclosure and be able to sleep in a secured coup.

[Former-Member]

Hey @Kermit,

No, that's someone elses adorable pug  I do love dogs though!

How are you getting on with your decision, have you been able to have a chat with your professional support team about it?

[DogMan79]

This is the chook mans ("chook man" is not a real english term, so I can pluralise it my own way)

Ollie left, Quack right

https://youtu.be/NBkv2g84t3Q

[Kermit]

Hi @Former-Member

Not yet checked with support team about a rescue cat....I have an appointment next week.

I feel like I'm taking small steps though.

Have requested permission from my landlord and he has two weeks to respond.

Other bonus is someone I know fosters cats from the Cat Protection Society so fostering may be an option to see how (and whoever the cat is) goes. I'm following this up.

[Former-Member]

Fostering sounds like a brilliant idea @Kermit. Best of luck with the process and keep us updated 🐱

[Kermit]

Hi @Former-Member and other forumites,

Good news on a couple of fronts....

Met with my rescue cat fostering contact on the weekend and it's possible to start off fostering from the Cat Protection Society and if the cat is going to be really unsetttled by being rehomed again, it's possible to keep your foster pet. 

Also, just had my psychiatrist appointment and he's supportive of me having a cat. He thinks it'll be good for me.

I feel a bit more confident about giving it a go now...or at least less anxious.

Need to replace the security door with a hole in. it first but that's all good as I have permission from the landlord for the cat and also to do that.

[Shaz51]

what are you going to call you furbaby @Kermit xxx

 hello @Harry , @Former-Member , @DogMan79 , @Former-Member , my last 2 furbabies xx

[Rockolope]

Ooh, A thread from 2014 about pets that's still going. I'll bite.
@Kermit I think fostering is great! People always go on and on, and preach about how animals make their mental health better and therefore it will work for everyone blah, blah, blah... but there's a certain subset of people - and I guess that's you and me, who adore animals so much that the worry about whether we are doing right by them, or whether our down days impact them negatively, whether we are taking good care of them etc. and that worry can impact our mental health more and quite negatively.
And as someone in the same position, I can say that fostering is fantastic! You can foster, and if you find that you feel capable of looking after an animal long term you can adopt when the right one comes along... but if you can't, and you have a bad day and worrying about that animal seems to make it worse, you can take a break - know that animal has gone to a good home, and look after another when you feel capable again; and while taking them back isn't the best feeling in the world, knowing you have helped and will go on to help another animal is a good feeling. I've been fostering for 3 years now, and I still cry every time... but sometimes taking them back and having a break is just relieving - and this is coming from someone who has dedicated their life to animals, I study them, work with them, foster them, read about them, all my stuff is animal themed or shaped. Animals are my life, but I struggle so much having pets. I think fostering will be fantastic for you, and if you find an animal for life during your journey - that's even better... best of luck in your journey.
Ps. just as a tip, start off nice and easy... I started off with a chill old cat who just needed some TLC. No meds, no crazy kittens getting into trouble you didn't think they could get into... but if you're also looking to adopt also try to start with one that might suit you and your lifestyle (you probably don't want an old lady cat as your first pet)

[Former-Member]

Hey there @Kermit, I'm loving this news! With permission from your landlord, your psych's support and the Cat Protection Society all lined up, it certainly sounds like the universe is trying to tell you the time is right to welcome an adorable 🐱into your life.

Like @Shaz51, I'll be excited to hear what their name will be and to hear how it all goes as you reach the foster date.

I really like @Rockolope's advice here too! It certainly does sound like you've given careful consideration, which is the way it should be.

...and a warm welcome to the forums, @Rockolope  😊It's always exciting to welcome newcomers to the community, so please reach out if you need any help along the way. You can do that by tagging a moderator @Former-Member and you are most welcome to introduce yourself in this thread.

[Former-Member]

Oh @Shaz51, they were beautiful xx You don't have any fur babies at the moment do you?