Maybe I should get a pet. Any ideas?...

[Locut0s]

Pet's help a lot of emotional difficulties. I'd love to get a dog but so long as I'm still living at home with the family that has to be a family decision and my mother is dead set against that. We had a dog some years back and she doesn't want another (the excuse she gives is that it's not fair to the dog when we go on holidays and she doesn't want to ruin the carpets, I think she secretly just can't handle the loss of another one). I'll very likely get one when I move out which may not be very long from now. However a smaller pet I can keep somewhat more to myself may be a go. Trouble is it has to be a pet that gives something back to me emotionally I want to feel loved and needed by it too. I'm highly allergic to cats so that's out. I know all about it being a responsibility and not to make a pet purchase a snap decision, so let's not even go there. I would think long and hard about it first. But I need some ideas. I had a hedgehog for a short while but had to give it back to the store because no matter how hard I tried the poor little thing wouldn't bond with any of us in the house, it would just ball up terrified. But a little guy like that might be nice, anyone have any experiences?

[patricia92243]

1. A parakeet is a great pet. Lots of people don't realize how friendly, cute, and funny a bird can be

They can be a little messy if their cage isn't cleaned regularly. Try to get one from a person who has socialized them since birth - rather than a pet store. No mirror - you want them to be your friend - not that other bird in the reflection.

Keep us posted.

[Locut0s]

2. A friend of the family is a bird nut...

I say bird nut in as friendly a was as possible They are an odd bunch but they love their birds, and cats (usually don't mix). He has a parrot that rides around in his shirt 1/2 the time lol.

Birds are cute but I'm not sure I'm partial to them myself. I like my little furry friends usually more than the feathered variety. But I'll keep this in mind. Do you recommend parakeets over other species?

[patricia92243]

5. I recommended a parakeet because I have had them, and also because your family might go along

more with the decision to get a small bird - rather than a cockatoo or parrot.

The friend of the family that is a bird nut is the one to get a baby bird from - or ask their advice about who/where to get one.

[sarge43]

15. A hand raised cockatiel hen is a good choice.

Good natured, generally quiet, loves hanging out with her person. Extra bonus, life expectancy double that of a parakeet -- with good care about 20 years.

[TorchTheWitch]

16. I really loved my little cockatiel birdie

Had her for about 12 years. She loved to be petted and ride around on my shoulder... often I forgot she was there, though other times she'd get rammy and play with my hair or tug on my earrings or skuttle down from my shoulder into my shirt pocket, pop out and skuttle back up to my shoulder again over and over again. Sometimes she'd take a shower with me and stand on the top of one of my feet with her head back and beak open playing with the water. She adored the hairdryer, and whenever I picked it up she'd run to the side of her cage that was nearest, puff up, spread her wings and hang upsidedown in anticipation of getting a shot of air blown on her.

The only thing that rather sucks about birds though is they don't care where they poop. She knew I wasn't fond of her pooping on me when she was on my shoulder, so she would fling it away so it wouldn't land on me. All things consideried I would have preferred her pooping on me since it was a hell of a lot easier to find. She could be damn loud early in the morning too, and covering the cage did nothing to keep her quiet.

She was such a cool little birdie.

[sarge43]

20. They are sweet birds.

I always recommend them as starter birds -- bidable, good natured, very social.

[MiddleFingerMom]

3. I would wait until after you see how you adapt to moving out on your own. n/t

[Locut0s]

6. That's true MFM, that may be a good idea...

No sense in getting a pet and having it fall through the cracks so to speak in all the tumult of moving out if things don't work well.

One good sign to come out of this fiasco I've been going through this past month is that I DO believe that I won't have a huge amount of difficulty living on my own. It sounds pathetic to even type that at the age of 31 but until moving into the dorms at uni a few weeks back I wasn't so sure I would handle that so well. I actually felt quite comfortable in the dorms. The breakdown that nearly landed me in the hospital, maybe should have, stemmed from other unresolved issues and the school environment, socializing, and other nitty gritty details, not the dorm environment.

So while I agree with you I think I probably should wait. At least there is that much that is good news I guess. I'm really clutching at straws to think of anything positive at the moment, feel pretty mortified at what has happened, not that I haven't been through it before, and still have some self farm thoughts and the like (mostly wanting to drink to forget the world, and eat WAY too much for the same reason) trying not to do anything in that regard.

Sorry wrong place to type this I guess.

[Denninmi]

4. Have you considered a service dog?

Your mother's objections would be rather trivial in the context of the big picture. There are several organizations that train and certify dogs to assist with various things. It may be something to investigate.

Otherwise, consider a rabbit - they can be quite loving and friendly if socialized properly.

[Locut0s]

7. They do service dogs for anxiety and depression?...

Last edited Sun Sep 22, 2013, 07:12 AM - Edit history (1)

I know there are "therapy" dogs. But those usually go around to hospitals, hospices and the like to give comfort to the gravely ill. And I know it's not the right thing to say but I'm not sure I like the stigma attached to needing a "service" dog. Though to tell you the truth it would be very comforting, lol.

[Denninmi]

13. Yes, they do.

No one would need to know why - you could tell them whatever you wanted - you have a seizure disorder or something.

[intaglio]

8. They're not for everyone

but a sphinx cat does not cause allergic reactions (no fur and no dander - dander being the prime source of allergens)

[Locut0s]

9. Eww those guys kind of creep me out lol...

I've seen them and been around one or two. I'm not a cat person in general I must say.

[pinboy3niner]

10. I hear Jerry the tapir may be available

But if you're looking for a low-maintenance pet without a lot of baggage, I'd run the other way...fast!

[Locut0s]

11. That's the guy with the 10ft penis isn't he?...

Um yeah... not what I need wandering around the house.

[pinboy3niner]

14. Like I said...he may have a little baggage

Just ask NYC_SKP.

[DFW]

12. My girls loved their guinea pigs when we had them

They don't have a very long life span, though.

If you want emotion give and take, a dog is definitely your best bet. Cats are hit and miss, although if you're allergic, forget it. My wife is, too, or else we'd have one.

My brother back in the States (northern Virginia) is more tied to his place of work than I am, and he has a Carolina dog (American Dingo) that is attentive and very interactive.

But pets are like small children--in constant need of attention with respect to food and hygiene, so if you can't allow for this, especially during periods of absence, you're doing both yourself and the animal a disservice by getting one.

[Corgigal]

17. Just for something different

I have a fish tank ,and I always have large Angel Fish. Who are much smarter then you think. They always greet me, and they know when it's feeding time. Also their is something about looking at a tank that take the mind away. If you decide a fish tank is something you might like, make sure you get some semi-aggressive fish. They just appear to understand the outside world more then prey fish.

If you need any help on a start up , please feel free to PM me.

[RebelOne]

18. Rabbits are great pets.

I have had two of them. And you can litter train them just like cats.

[Arugula Latte]

19. We had a very sweet bunny for years.

He'd been dumped in our neighborhood. I didn't realize bunnies could be so smart and affectionate. I will say that with a rabbit the copious pooping and peeing are a lot to handle, and people should realize what they're getting into. Also, they will chew anything so they'll need a rabbit-proof space to hop around in.

Rabbit rescue groups are overflowing with dumped bunnies, and it shouldn't be hard to find a very affectionate one.

[GoCubsGo]

21. How about a rat?

The "domesticated" ones are really nice, as well as being really smart. Here's a site that has lots of reasons to consider them as pets: http://www.petrats.org/why_rats.aspx

You can even leash-train them.