M_P90Senior Contributor
PETS
I've written on here before about my bunny, but I have to talk about how much he helped me tonight. I have a long list of diagnoses, basically complex trauma. I've been in a depressed state for a few months now, and it's just been tough, really tough. Today I really wanted to turn a new leaf. I have an eating disorder & some vulnerability around alcohol, and today I came home with urges through the damn roof. I just wanted to conquer it today. I won battles in this damned war today, not every battle but more than usual. I had been reading some Buddhism and thinking, "Stop numbing yourself, face your reality". With less numbing, comes tidal waves of pain. Trauma, grief and stress overflowing.
I was keeping a lid on things earlier in the evening when my rabbit started freaking out. They're prey animals so they do that from time to time. I thought tonight I'd sit with him and keep myself in his eye sight and comfort him with a little more than I usually do. Often I just want him to stop thumping his foot, but I was more attentive tonight. Later, I reached my own threshold and was having my freak out, crying and talking on the phone to Mum. My bunny charged right to my side, and was with me the entire hour I was crying. He usually comes over for some cuddles but won't stay that long. I really felt this exchange of support with him. I know he is so much more clever and complex than an "animal" as we talk about them, but this was really a relationship thing and I appreciated it so much.
He's the best. Pets, seriously they save lives when it comes to mental health.
I really loved the part of your story when you said, ‘my bunny charged right to my side and was with me the entire hour I was crying.’
