Re: Tonya- depression-bridge list addition

[PEC2851]

In a message dated 12/14/05 8:11:43 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am just so MAD about the whole thing.  I don't know what kind of world we live in that people treat animals so horribly and people are so uncaring.  I don't see how anyone who is the least bit aware of the suffering doesn't suffer from depression like I do.    I feel like many people on this list understand me better than my friends and family.  How DO you deal with the daily emails of animals being gassed in overcrowded shelters, people dumping their pets, people abusing animals.  It is just so sad and depressing to me all the time.  I can't just 'turn it off' and go 'be happy' and 'not think about it'.   I feel like "It's Christmas time and I hate the world."  Merry Christmas...   Maybe this shouldn't be on the list, but I would really like to know if others have a hard time handling or balancing your animals and any semblance of a 'normal, happy' life??  I guess it sounds like a 'martyr complex'.  I don't know.  It just seems like so very few people care about anyone or anything other than themselves.   tonya Tonya~ Boy, I know exactly how you feel..... It is very hard to "balance", and I have found as I have gotten older, I can barely tolerate the evils of the world. It is the MAJOR reason I am "retired" now.  I say retired, but actually I am on permanent disability. And much of my problem has been diagnosed as Post Traumatic Stress.  >From all my years doing rescue work.  It literally consumed me, ate me alive. I ended up weighing 89 lbs., and if my daughter hadn't put me in the hospital when she did, well, who knows where I'd be now..... I did continue working for sometime after my hospitalization - at the vet's. (I felt I HAD to stay connected to animals).  Well, that also was "tough" - mainly watching companions of many years being euthanized due to financial reasons....(C'mon, these vets COULD HAVE worked out payments...) Others, euthanized for st*pid things - all because their "owners" could care less..... I was able to save my Maine Coon boys, and I am thankful I could do that.  But I always felt I "had" to do more, yet my hands were tied. So, I had to sit back, evaluate things.  Realize how lucky I was for what I have, and believe me, it's not much.  But I chose this lifestyle, and it has made me a better person. Now, I do what I can. I wish it could be more, but every little bit helps. The important thing is I am surrounded by all my fur-kids, and I know what unconditional love is.... As for the holidays, I always get very depressed at this time of year.  Wish I could take a "nap", and wake up in April. Just hang tough, keep fighting the good fight and you know you will ALWAYS have the support, love and friendship from all of us on this list! Happy Holidays~Bah! Humbug! Hugs, Patti