Writing Prompt — Pets — Nonfiction — Writers On Medium

Living With An Emotional Support Animal

When Your Furry Friend Is More Than Just Family

I would like to introduce all of you to Cedar. She is 13 years old. I rescued her when she was 3 years and 2 months old. She had been put into the no-kill shelter Every Creature Counts. I adopted her through one of their affiliates, Pet Smart. Her previous owner had passed away suddenly.

Cedar is an Abyssinian Mix. She is gray and white with classic Abyssinian markings on her eyes, under her tail, and under her legs. The underside of an Abyssinian Mix is brindle colored, just on the underneath edging. Meaning, the edges of their tail and legs. One of the cool things about Abyssinians is that they have black lining their eyes that makes them look like they are wearing eyeliner. It is thought that Abyssinians came from Egypt, and might be one of the very first breeds to be cultivated. Abyssinians are also said to be 2 steps below feral.

Abyssinians are very active. Cedar’s favorite toy is Mouse. Mouse, is a fake mouse on a wire cable attached to a plastic stick. Cedar also enjoys playing with the inner tie of my bathrobe. I tried the laser toy, but she became bored very quickly.

Cedar is very sweet, though she does not like her head being petted. She never used to like snuggling but does now. Cedar has a knee that slips out of joint because the groove in her thigh bone isn’t as deep as it should be to keep the patella in place. She limps a lot but the surgery is very expensive. Cedar’s veterinarian told me to not get it unless her quality of life starts to decline. For the surgery, they cut open the knee, and ‘remove’ the patella. What does that mean? They shift the patella so the surgeons have clear access to the groove of the thigh bone. They then shave the bone away until the groove is deep enough, replacing the patella, thereby finishing the surgery. Cedar’s Doctor expressed concern that it would be too invasive and recovery would be difficult at her age. I use flower essences to help control her pain levels.

Back in 2010, I was dealing with chronic depression from Lyme Disease. My doctor prescribed an Emotional Support Animal for me. I live in an animal free building, so I had to get proper documentation citing housing laws and my doctor’s prescription.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect. People around me kept telling me, “An emotional support animal is NOT a pet!” This confused me and I wanted to know, “What does that mean?” According to the people advising me, I was not supposed to treat her like a regular pet. Being an emotional support animal means the animal is a therapy tool, not a pet. LMAO Really?! I want to see the person who can live with an animal and NOT get attached or treat them like a member of the family.

Cedar is my sunshine, my best friend, my confidante, my therapist, my protector, and my kitty cat. I must admit, I was skeptical that bringing a furry therapist into the house would make any kind of difference. Having another being to care for, who showers me with unconditional love is what I needed. I am no longer on anti-depressants. Cedar has this way of making me laugh. Every time I get on the floor to do yoga or anything else, she could be sound asleep but will come running over to me and throw herself into/onto my lap, or rub herself along my body. LOL

Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if Cedar is excited for me to be on the same level she is, or if she actually doesn’t want me there. LOL After she climbs onto my lap when I’m on the floor, Cedar gets so happy she churtles! It’s a type of purr that sounds like a Dove’s coo is part of it. Cedar only does it when her kitty world has just become pure bliss.

Living with an emotional support animal is no different than living with any pet without a ‘job’. I’m not sure that Cedar is aware that she has a title. I don’t think she cares to be honest. All Cedar wants from Mommy is, nothing moved, nothing changed. I have learned to see the beauty of routine. A kitty cat’s world is full of simple pleasures, all done in a timely manner, day, after day. Food, water, treats, droppy medicine (my wording for the holistic medicines made from flower essences), interspersed with many naps, scritches, snuggles, and kisses. This is my kitty’s world. This is what it is like living with an emotional support animal.

Thank you for spending time with me in my world. © 2023 Delaney Patterson

Thank you to Jocelyn Joy Thomas for bringing this prompt to us this week. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to write about my princess. If you enjoyed reading this, join us so we can meet your precious angel/s!