ASD people and their pets

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for the most part, i think the happiness of pets is dependent upon the happiness of the owner/carer. There is a symbiotic relationship betweeen people and their animals and the flow between them is very special.

are your pets happy?

how?

what do you do to make them happy?

this is an attempt at a positive thread.

I have a miniature poodle.

Hmm, good question.

I think ultimately my dogs would be much happier if they could be free - but then that's how I feel too...I feel too restricted by all the rules that come with owning dogs, which get worse and less tolerant. People don't want them to be off lead anywhere, people don't want dogs to be dogs. So many areas where you are not allowed to walk. When I take my dogs out I want them to run free and be natural not for people to shriek that they came anywhere near them. I have, for a long time, taken to running them way after dark in the forest so they can have better freedom. They are not the sort of dogs that are satisfied with a walk in the park on a leash.

My dogs are also incredibly sensitive - this makes me feel bad as they can spot changes in my mood before I am even aware myself. I only have to sigh a certain way and my girl dog is right there trying to mother me and trying to diffuse any upset. I feel bad when I have a meltdown because it makes them so anxious. They try to pester around me but if they can't reach me, they go and tuck themselves somewhere and when I calm back down I go and find them and give them big hugs. My dogs made me try so hard to tone down some meltdowns because I hate upsetting them. People can understand - dogs and other animals do not.

When my dogs were puppies it helped me be more social - everyone wanted to see them and talk about them - I didn't mind talking because they became my special interest so actually I would talk about every aspect of their behaviour and diet etc! till people were trying to get away. It was good interaction for me for a while. Then the dogs got bigger - no one wants them near and shouts and makes a fuss when they are offleash and playing so I avoided people once again but probably more so because I got into too many arguments at people acting ridiculous about them - it really spoils a quiet walk to have someone start screaming at you for no good reason and my temper is so quick things got ugly more than quite a few times. So we are better off alone.

Then I feel guilty because dogs really need loads of socialization and they would get lots more living with someone else

But on the other hand - I got obsessed over things like what diet is best for them and they get to eat a species appropriate raw meat and bones diet. No crap dog food...They eat better / healthier than I do...I groom them and keep them in good shape. And all though I'll never feel good enough for them I care for them and love them more than 98% all other things in my life.

I know I could be happier in a more suitable environment - some place we could all feel alot more free - I know they could also. I know they could be happier if we had land of our own and they could be outside any time of the day and could get more freedom - I would be too, it's what I long for! I would like to give them so much more but I do the best possible I can with our current situation. I am also very aware that I feel bad that my behaviour isn't more even for them. Seeing as they are so in tune I will be perfectly honest and admit that it is probably stressful on them because of how my head works and my behaviour at times. They remind me of the dogs people have that can sense an epileptic fit before it happens - that sort of thing - which is good and bad.

Here they are, here is my girl:


and my boy:

Well, I got a dog, named Bjarne. It's difficult to pronounce in english, but in Norway it's a common man's name. He is very happy all the time, but can be quite demanding, he likes to play a lot and go for walks, so he keeps me in shape. He's a mix of 50% border collie and the rest is labrador retriever and norwegian elk. When I come home from work he runs around the house like crazy, but when I leave for work he's quite sad. I love him, he's like a kid for me. I got him from my nephew five years ago, when they had their second child, and he sort of got in the way.
I think he was brought up well, he even attended a couple of courses when he was young, but I have spoiled him a bit, he's more a free spirit after he moved in with me. But he's happy.

I have a link to a vid of him here
http://mosez.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album04&id=p1000078

Awwww I adore animal and pet stories. It's the one thing that cheers me up. Thanks for everyone posting, it comes just on the right day for me.

Two cats here.

Yes. They are.
They purr a lot, seek us out for comfort and society, are physically healthy, and remain curious and playful.
Feed and water them. Clean litter box regularly. Pet them. Occasional treats. Play with them. Fortunately, cats don't need a whole lot else. Dogs are FAR more needy, in my experience.

I could do with or without pets. I'm indifferent to their presence, honestly. They can make a mess and be annoying, but they're nice friendly things to have around sometimes.

What kind of mess?

Hairballs and associated internal fluids on the floor, mostly.
Not to mention the everpresent tumbleweeds of hair they leave behind.
Also they tend to track granules of cat litter into the rest of the house.

dont understand the word happy,but do know how to treat pets.

am like to treat cats only the best,back when am used to look after an outdoor cat [not ferral] called fluffybum,am used to buy him a sirloin steak for his dinner every thursday,staff would cook it to the exact texture he liked and had helped to do the cutting to his favourite size chunks,he liked it a lot as it would be gone quickly,his original human was an older lady who lived in some nearby sheltered housing flats,and she wouldnt let him in the building-she actually fed him scraps from throwing them out the window while he was underneath,anyway she moved and he adopted am.
he got all the attention he wanted,food and drink,loyalty and protection as well,and he had someone to pick the snails off him which would all slide up him he was too lazy to move,and the twigs and other bits from his long furr.
he was old,lazy and liked being treated like a baby but guess thats cause he missed out on being treated how cats should be treated [like gods],he died just before moved to another res.home,of old age but had a year of being treated well.

Stray-Ana,
am dont know breeds well,but are they alaskan malamute or similar? if ever go deaf will get a malamute or one of those puffball dogs.

i have a cat, norwegian forest cat, i took her from a irresponsible teen when i moved away from there. shes a happy and overly cuddly cat, with lots of fascinating little tendencies and habits :]

their all dead

I very much agree with this. I also can't help but wonder if animals are a teaching tool for ourselves.

So often I will find an animal that's neglected and people buy or adopt them because they're either exotic, trendy, or cute without taking into duty the responsibilities that go along with caring for a pet.



I'm not a mind reader but they both seem happy.

I try to be there as much as possible for them when they need their full and undivided attention.

They're never out of food or water and both have had their shots and are fixed.

I get the feeling that they are happy b/c they hop up on me and purr. This to me is a response of thankyou as I think you earn rather than make them respect you.

But this is cats I'm talking about...



I think they look pretty happy if I do say so myself...

what a joy to read.
i reckon they are here to teadch us too, Misconstrue.

and greentea...glad it made you feel good to read about pets and animals.

my cat is really bald (a devon rex) and he is getting old. i am trying to make things comfortable for him as he is struggling wiht jumping down of high places now. he is 11 which equals 77 i think.

my mini foxie was from the pound originally. she was a mess of cowering and terror when i got her. I had to put a lot of work into her and she is really good now. she sleeps next to my bed and comes everywhere with me. she is my best friend and is really really special.



Pets teach us to be connected to the planet, i believe.

That photo is beautiful, MissConstrue.

They are a mixed breed but Malamute is part of their mix. Noise wise they are good dogs because they rarely bark. They do bark when they play but not too much but they never bark at things dogs usually bark at, like people walking by or coming to the door.

I have nine cats and a dog and all seem to be very happy.

MissConstrue,

This is one sweet picture of your kitties! I love kitty cuddle pics!