My Afflation

This is a guest post written by Nat Smith, Rover.com community member. Rover is the nation's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers. Me and Zoe, my best girl for the last 11 years. She's a rescue mutt who saves me from bouts of depression, agoraphobia, and anxiety. Photo Credit: Halcyon's Serendipity Depression and anxiety persist by pulling you into downward spirals. Symptoms like fatigue, social withdrawal, and the inability to concentrate actually fuel the depressive episode that brought them on. This is why, in addition to medication and therapy, treatment often includes “disruptors.” These are relatively simple habit changes that can break the cycle. Of course, these changes aren’t easy to implement. When you’re at a low point or subsumed in panic, do you really want to stop and take a deep breath? The recovery process at its best is often described as “two steps forward, one step back.”

So this happened today ... Your legs make great scratching posts... ...and pillows So I'm walking to the store (mostly in my own world) and this homeless lady asks me if I want a kitten. "Excuse me? Can you say that again?" "Do you want a curtain?" "A curtain? You need a curtain?" (I'm so confused)  ... "No, I said, do you want a *kitten*?" pointing into her cart ... At first I misunderstood her and thought she was a bit off and asking about curtains (probably because I had blackout curtains on the brain). She proceeded to tell me about her situation and how she couldn't care for the kitten, that she found on Friday 13th, thought she wanted a companion, but a 6-7 week kitten definitely wasn't it. After much hemming, hawing, and purring... Geez I'm a soft touch. Especially after she said she tried a shelter but was turned away because they were full. And the poor thing was almost dehydrated.... I think I wi...

This is Tasha. Other than Six, she was the best cat I ever had. She was also the strangest. She would sit on the edge of the tub while I showered. She would wait on the porch for me to come home, and come running out to greet when she heard my keys. She trained herself better than any dog and was a constant companion. Damn coyotes. Pin It

For more awesome candid shots, check out this week's  Photo Friday . Pin It

Road Trip time!  Read all about the trip from Pluto's point of view over at The Adventures of Squiggly Dog . Pin It

My dog, a border collie mix, is sometimes too smart for her own good. In all the cleaning and packing we found a misplaced tennis ball. Zoe has been known to play fetch with herself if I'm not paying enough attention. This morning she started her little game and then stared at the ball as if it were defective because it didn't roll far enough away. And then she barked at it. I finally tossed the ball a few times, but instead of bringing it back for a proper game of fetch, she "tossed" it herself -- and repeated the staring and barking. I don't suppose anyone's made a self-propelling ball for dogs yet?

These are the possible things that are wrong with Buddy, our 10-yr-old cocker spaniel. I adopted him just over two years ago . At the time he was quite spry and I was positive we would get at least 5 years out of him if not more. He has a “stubborn old man” personality. Buddy’s had a traumatic few weeks that culminated in a vet visit yesterday, an anti-nausea shot, getting his ears flushed, and antibiotics for the next week.

We have a new dog, Buddy. He's an 8 yr old male. Zoe and he have been trying to decide which one is dominant. It's hilarious to watch, but now Zoe thinks she needs to hump Buddy.

Having a new pet has released my husband's sense of humor The Origin of Pets Where do pets come from? It is reported that the following edition of the Book of Genesis was discovered in the Dead Seal Scrolls. If authentic, it would shed light on the question, "Where do pets come from?" And Adam said, "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me everyday. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me." And God said, "No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will know I love you, even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish and childish and unlovable you may be, this new companionwill accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself." And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pl...

This is our newest family member. Sort of an impulse, but Tim and I did talk about getting her ... I just got her a lot sooner than the house (and Boots) were ready for her. Boots still watches her .... very carefully.