There are plenty of things that can cause someone to slip away from themselves: stress, work, school, loneliness. Falling under the reign of horrors like depression, anxiety, confidence issues, or other mental challenges can leave a person feeling lost, confused, empty, and alone. From my personal experience, I have discovered that one of the most effective ways to combat these struggles is to have animals in your life. Adopting a pet can be its own prescription.
When I moved to Connecticut in 2004, I went to the animal shelter to pick out my very first pet. Underneath a blanket in the very back corner of the cage was an extremely shy and timid kitten that I knew needed me. For the low price of just twelve dollars, I had a new friend.
Not long after, I took in another kitten so Socks wouldn't be lonely. This cat, Oliver, was the complete opposite of Socks. He was squeaky, meowy, chatty, gutsy, and full of attitude. He was 90% sure he was part lion, and that no one could defeat him - until he was introduced to Socks, and he became the beta cat after losing every fight.
As the years went on, they grew older and so did I. They remained their furry selves, but I began to notice something in myself. I was becoming very sad, and I did not know why. In school, especially when you get to High School, it gets tough. In the times that I would cry for sometimes no reason, these cats were there to comfort me. There's something about animals, I don't know what it is, but they can tell when you are upset or sad, and they stay by your side so you don't feel alone. When you feel like people just aren't understanding you, animals stay beside you and don't judge you. As I battled myself and the struggles in my life, my two cats protected me from completely sinking.
In 2014, I took pet ownership to the next level and my family and I adopted a puppy. This goon of a creature, Charlie, became a completely different experience than having my cats. As an introvert, I am a cat person. They are most like my personality and comfort me in the best ways that suit who I am. However, even though an
energetic dog is unlike myself, he helped me in ways that my cats never could. Charlie forces me to play with him, go on walks, and even go on runs sometimes. Exercise releases endorphins in your brain that combat things like depression, so having him in my life forces me to do things that benefit me AND him.
Dogs and cats are completely different creatures, but when 
they get together, they can make even the darkest person laugh and smile. Whether my dog is violently squeaking a toy or my cat Oliver is punching him in the face, my pets never fail to entertain me.
Oliver sometimes howls in the middle of the night, waking me up, or I can hear him running around the house like a maniac. All three of my pets have a sort of rivalry, but when I am sad or upset, they put aside their differences and team up to comfort me. If I am in bed crying, my cats will lay on me and my dog will lick away my tears. They will not leave me until they know that I am okay. I did not realize how valuable pets could be until I went through these situations.
Purrks of adopting cats:
They will purr on you and comfort you and follow you around until you feel better
They will meow for 20 seconds long begging you for treats which will cause you to burst out laughing
That look on their face when you force a Halloween costume on them
They try to fit in boxes that are way too small for them
Did I mention they will sleep on you
if life is ruff, adopt a dog because:
They like picnics
You're forced to exercise because they literally won't go inside until you take them on a walk
If you're sad, they'll be sad with you
It's easier to put the Halloween costume on them than the cat
They're goons
If you're having trouble deciding which would be best for you, invest in both! They'll:
Watch sports with you
With bread and butter, you can get them to do anything you want
They will love you til the end of time
Pets can offer you something that people can't. They can give you a judgment free and unconditional love that will last you a lifetime. Animal love is an irreplaceable thing, and they also need our love. By adopting pets from shelters or rescues, you will be saving them from a lonely and short life, while also giving them the home they dream of. Many animals in kill shelters never get to see those homes, and by taking the time to adopt from them, you will be rescuing them, and, in return, they will rescue you right back.
Visit websites like Adopt a Pet and Petfinder, and check out your local animal shelter to see who you may come across. If you're allergic to cats or dogs, how about horses? I've known quite a few people who have claimed horses to be their life. Horseback riding can be a very freeing experience. My best friend rode horses for a while, and having a horse was a pet experience of its own. Being in the presence of horses is unbelievable, and if allergies prevent you from adopting cats or dogs, horseback riding can serve as many different kinds of therapy.
There are many options when it comes to animals, and hopefully, if you find yourself in mental trouble, needing a pal to help you through it, you will consider adopting a pet to save the both of you.
