Adventures of a Horse Named Rouk

You’re definitely not alone. This sort of chronic stress that something is wrong, will be wrong, or will be missed is common in pet owners who have anxiety or OCD.

It seems like having a check list helps, whether it’s a mental one or a real physical list, for things that need to be checked/done and when. It lets you defer some of the stress to the list, giving you the ability to say that you have done the gold standard of care and you can check everything off.

Having a friend or mentor familiar with that species’ care can be helpful too. Sometimes it’s very comforting and lowers your stress to have someone who should genuinely know tell you that you’ve done everything right. Sometimes this is a vet, sometimes it’s a friend at the dog park, sometimes it’s someone they’ve met through an online community.

The following phrases may be overheard whilst trying to capture a feral cat which has escaped and is now at large within a vet clinic.

Run!

Don’t move!

Shut those doors!

Where’d it go?

Are the windows closed?

It’s behind the washing machine.

Can anyone move the washing machine?

There’s urine everywhere.

Well, it’s definitely a tom.

Look out!

He’s on the move!

Protect your face!

And my personal favourite…