10 Comments

Beautiful post. It's cats in my world, but those fur babes have opened up my heart to love and connection in so many surprising and unexpected ways ❤❤

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That's exactly it - it's so surprising. I was chatting to a cat mum friend this morning and she said exactly the same. They really are incredible and intuitive creatures and I think so many underestimate this 💕

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The part about protecting your family gave me shivers Emma, it is such a primal reaction and Fizz obviously picked up on the danger too. We had a spaniel when I was younger and Fizz sounds so like her and she was exactly the same in the end, not wanting to leave my mums side. I haven’t got a dog, we’re waiting to move, but would love one. I’m also thinking of getting a guide dog to train, but don’t know if I could part with them when the time comes.

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Aaw, just love spaniels. We thought about getting guide dogs or rescue dogs to train, it’s a lovely idea but yes hard to part with! What a wonderful thing to do though and you’ll also keep getting new ones 😍. A friend of mine does it and they love it xx

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My cats (who started out #notmycats) have taught me so much about trust and coregulation. Last week they were spayed as adults and as I care for them & torture them with the elizabethan hoods (aka cone of shame) its been amazing to notice us all working it out. They call for me to lift them onto my high bed, they use my arms and legs as bridges to move around the living room, I hold their bowls up so they can access their food, I come to reorient them if they get stuck, and most of all they snuggle me while they nap and heal.

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Oh I love this - and yes - co-regulation!! Absolutely. We respond intuitively to each other. As we care for them, they know when we're sad and lick away our tears. The power of caring for another creature is so strong, and stroking a furbaby is wonderful in regulating our nervous systems and calming anxiety. What you've described is so beautiful 💕

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You are brave and strong. Loving the pupdates 🐾 x

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Pupdates!! That’s inspired. I’ll be using that again 🤣. Thank you lovely 💕

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Aaw lovely Sadie. She was such a darling 💕💕

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I still miss my dog Sadie who we had for 17 years before she got dementia, incontinence and finally cancer before she was taken out of her misery over 20 years ago! My cat is now 17, beginning to get more dependent on me and wants to be with me all the time which can be irritating, but he is lovely and keeps me company day and night - we need to value our little furry friends more - he brings me a lot of joy!

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