FOR MY SOUL CAT RUBY | WISHING MY CAT A VERY HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!

"You feel more like home to me than any place I've ever been."

Angela N. Blount

RUBY’S BIRTHDAY WISHLIST | THE ULTIMATE GIFT GUIDE TO HIGH BUDGET AND LOW BUDGET GIFTS FOR YOUR CAT!!! | FEATURING AMAZON UK, PET PLANET, & PETS AT HOME

“Love the giver more than the gift.”

Brigham Young

LOOKING BACK OVER THE TWO YEARS WITH MY FLUFFY SOULMATE | ALSO INCLUDING MY FAVOURITE CAT BITS FROM ETSY | HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY, MY LITTLE RUBY | IN COLLABORATION WITH ETSY UK

“Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life.”

Richard Bach

Even though for my two mini-Lionhead bunnies (Luna and Gracie) I celebrate their ‘Gotcha Day’ as their Birthday, I know Ruby’s actual date of birth(!), and so her Birthday is marked on March 26^th. This year, for her second Birthday, I’ll be looking over the previous two years with her, realising she’s my fluffy soulmate, reminiscing over my favourite moments together, and reflecting on some of the things I’ve learnt from loving her. I’ll also pepper the post with some of my favourite cat items and products on Etsy UK right now…

5 THINGS I’VE LEARNT ABOUT PETS & MENTAL HEALTH | WISHING THE KITTEN A VERY HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY!!! | IN COLLABORATION WITH MAMMY’S BISCUITS

https://mammysbiscuits.com

Twitter: @MammysBiscuits

Instagram: @Mammys_Biscuits

Facebook: MammysBiscuits

“When you feel someone else’s pain and joy as powerfully as if it were your own; then you know you really love them.”

Ann Brashares

*This post features a Mammy’s Biscuits product: the ‘Birthday Girl’ bandana – you can browse & purchase their other designs here*

 I honestly don’t care how stereotypical this sounds; but I literally and genuinely cannot believe that I’m writing this blog post to celebrate my little maine coon/ragdoll mix kitten – Ruby – turning one year old! Now, if you’ve read, I’m NOT Disordered for even just a little while, you’ll likely know that I have pets and that I absolutely love them to pieces, and they help my mental health immensely. Because I’ve had quite a few (three who have passed and the three I have now) over the almost ten years since I’ve been in my own home, and I know I’ve written numerous blog posts at various stages of their lives, I wasn’t sure if there’d be an angle (also due to the fact I’ve actually already published a post in connection with Ruby’s Birthday, you can read it here) left to cover in writing this 1^st Birthday post for Ruby! But, fortunately, the first one I thought of – a post about the reality of life with pets and mental health – hadn’t been done before so, I decided to tackle it…

AN OPEN LETTER TO RUBY IN THE RUN-UP TO HER FIRST BIRTHDAY!!! | PLUS HER BIRTHDAY WISHLIST!!!

Lying close to you, feeling your heart beating,

And I’m wondering what you’re dreaming,

Wondering if it’s me you’re seeing,

Then I kiss your eyes,

And thank God we’re together,

And I just wanna stay with you in this moment forever.

Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing – Aerosmith

In the almost automatic decision – which didn’t feel like a decision because it felt so predictable and natural(!) – to write a blog post celebrating my kitten’s first Birthday on March 26^th, I toyed between writing it as a little letter and writing a full-on, detailed piece about pets and mental health. In the end, I decided to do both! So, here’s Ruby’s letter and on the 26^th the other post will go up…

AND THE YEAR 2023 IS COMING TO AN END… | PART TWO

“She remembered who she was, and the game changed.”

Lalah Deliah

*YOU CAN READ PART ONE HERE* 

Pimkie Suede Knee High Boot: £51.00

Embellished Jumper: £40.00

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara: £13.00

e.l.f Liquid Glitter Eyeshadow: £6.00

Brave Soul Cardigan: £42.00

THE TWO NEW ADDITIONS TO THE FAMILY: GRACIE & RUBY

With my calico rescue cat, Emmy, being put to sleep in October 2022, we started off the year as a family of two with just Luna (my black and white mini-Lionhead lop eared bunny) and I. But when Emmy was put to sleep, I asked the Vet what the best thing would be for Luna and almost without seeming to take the time to think about it, she replied with “get her a friend.” As the weeks went by without Emmy though, I found myself enjoying building a better bond with Luna who had always just spent the majority of her time following Emmy around and had never really been affectionate with me. Without Emmy though, she was now following me around the home (my bunnies are free-roam) and was always stretching up on her back feet to nudge me for a stroke or a cuddle. Then she started taking the cat tunnel in her mouth and running with it in circles; myself and everyone else who either saw when they visited the house or watched my videos of her doing it, laughed and thought it was really cute. But actually; it turned out to have been a form of repetitive behaviour that illustrated boredom and loneliness.

DAY FIVE OF BLOGMAS UNBOXED 2023: A KITTEN/CAT GIFT GUIDE BY RUBY & A REEL | IN COLLABORATION WITH PHOENIX COVE

PhoenixCove - Etsy UK

https://www.instagram.com/phoenixcove.co/

https://www.facebook.com/phoenixcove.co

https://www.tiktok.com/@phoenixcove.co

Welcome to Blogmas Unboxed!!

This blog post is part of the Blogmas Unboxed series of posts which is content published daily from December 1^st until the 25^th (Christmas Day) in collaboration with this year’s Blogmas partner, Phoenix Cove. Today’s post was inspired by the item from the Etsy store that I shared in yesterday’s post and is a gift guide for kittens and cats that I’d like to think my little kitten; Ruby, has put together for you(!)…

DEAR RUBY, | HOW MY KITTEN IS MAKING MY DREAMS COME TRUE | NATIONAL KITTEN DAY 2023

Dear Ruby,

When I first decided to get another cat after losing my lovely little Calico rescue; Emmy, in October 2022, I explained to absolutely everyone that the largest inspiration for the decision was the fact that my two mini-Lionhead bunnies (Luna and Gracie) are always cuddled up together in another room. I never get to handle them, and they very rarely are even in the same room as me… So, I wanted a companion for myself. I wanted a new little life who would snuggle with me, sleep in my bed, follow me around, and want to play. I wanted to be able to come home and hear a little patter of paws come running towards me with a little ‘meow’ by way of a greeting!

#HEREFORTHEKITTENS | WEEK TWO: UNSEEN ‘BABY PHOTOS’ OF RUBY & EVERYTHING I’VE LEARNED IN HER SECOND WEEK | IN COLLABORATION WITH CATS PROTECTION & FEATURING AN ETSY DISCOUNT CODE!!! | AD

This post and the following two are part of a series named Here For The Kittens and are all in collaboration with Cats Protection, the UK’s largest feline welfare charity…

You can find all the links for their social media here: Cats Protection’s LinkTr.ee

You can find the first post of this series here: http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2023/05/hereforthekittens-series-intro-managing.html

The second post is here:

http://www.imnotdisordered.co.uk/2023/05/hereforthekittens-week-one-all-emotions.html

Firstly, a massive thank you for all the lovely comments and feedback on the previous two posts in this series! You’re making a huge difference! This post – marking the second week with my little ragdoll kitten; Ruby – is all about things I’ve learnt from having her across this past week, and how I’ve coped with all of them. There’ll also, be a very special bit of some unseen ‘baby’ photos and videos of Ruby from just a few weeks old (as well as media from the past week!) …

#HEREFORTHEKITTENS | SERIES INTRO: MANAGING MY MENTAL HEALTH IN MAKING THE DECISION TO GET A KITTEN & ALL THE PREPARATION FOR HER!!! | IN COLLABORATION WITH CATS PROTECTION & FEATURING AN ETSY DISCOUNT CODE!!! | AD

Cat’s Protection Donut Bed: £11.99 via the Cat Care Collection (catsprotectionshop.co.uk)

This post and the following four are part of a series named Here For The Kittens and are all in collaboration with Cats Protection, the UK’s largest feline welfare charity:

You can find all the links for their social media here: Cats Protection’s LinkTr.ee

This Series was inspired by the fact I finally made the decision to get a kitten (who I picked up today – May 20th!) and having worked with Cats Protection several times in the past, I thought they’d be the perfect collaboration partner. So, we’ll be working together to produce weekly content for the first month with my new kitten; Ruby. The content will revolve around all the information and advice I’ve needed to take from the Cats Protection website each week and there’ll be a Ruby update in each post with plenty of photos and video clips…

BLOGMAS 2022 | DAY TWELVE: MY NOT ON THE HIGH STREET WISH LIST | IN COLLABORATION WITH NOT ON THE HIGH STREET

Welcome to Day Twelve of Blogmas 2022!

Today I’ll be collaborating with Not On The High Street one last time to bring to you another lovely wish list for myself...

REST IN PEACE MY DARLING LITTLE CALICO; EMMY

 

There was a moment when I felt cold and dead

A moment when nothing mattered

Nothing seemed worthy of my energy and time

And then you became mine

 

You came into the home when all was at a low

Dolly had just gone

And Pixie and I were broken

Then you became our lovely, lucky token

DEAR EMMY, PLEASE STAY ALIVE

Dear Emmy,

We had a hard day yesterday, didn’t we? When the Vet said that they need to do a biopsy with the thought that you have the ‘C word’ I felt my legs actually wobble and thought I was literally going to fall to my knees. But I looked at your beautiful eyes and found the strength to keep standing. I had to. For your sake, I had to. Because you deserve a strong Mummy. A brave Mummy who will fight for you. I’d like to think I proved that when the other Vet dismissed your sore; because, despite having always had my pets registered with them, I trusted my own feeling that something was wrong and took you to another. And when they said you needed medication, I was reassured that I’d made the right decision. That – just from instinct – I’d known your best interests.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PETS AS COMPANIONS | MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK: DAY FIVE | IN COLLABORATION WITH CATS PROTECTION

“We must celebrate our pets because they are truly what love is all about”

Adrienne Posey

Cats aid mental health, shows survey | Cats Protection

Welcome to Day Five of Mental Health Awareness Week, today I’m collaborating with Cats Protection – the UK’s largest cat charity, to bring you this piece on the importance of pets for someone struggling with feelings of loneliness…

It feels as though for as long as I can really remember, I’ve had a pet! First fish, then hamsters, a gerbil, and then Mum and I got our first cat; Saffy (the one that’s all black in the image above) and within years, she began saving my life. Saving me from the loneliness that is abuse.

My abuser found the opportunity to begin hurting me through suggesting he be my port of call when I began having panic attacks after being attacked on my way to school one morning. So, literally from Day One, he seemed to be my only company during the difficult moments. The moments when I couldn’t breathe, and my hands tingled, and my heart felt tired. He was the one sat there with me, passing me a paper bag, rubbing my back, and muttering comforting and reassuring things. It was like I had a broken leg, and he was my walking stick – I was leaning on him in my most sad and painful times. I was vulnerable and needed something that I could rely on because having a panic attack (being convinced that I was about to die, when I really wasn’t) left me uncertain on the reliability of my own body, never mind anyone else in the world!

BUDGET BLOGMAS | DAY SEVEN: EMMY’S CHRISTMAS WISHLIST | IN COLLABORATION WITH PRETTY PERFECT PRODUCTS | AD

Hello and welcome to I’m NOT Disordered’s Budget Blogmas!

I’ve decided to use today to share Emmy’s (my cat) little Christmas Wishlist…

 

Interactive Swimming Fish Toy: £16.50

Bird Toy: £9.99

Robotic Interactive Feather Toy: £31.99

Sparkle Balls: £8.62

Small Cat Tree: £37.99

 

WHY THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS ‘JUST A PET’ | THREE YEARS WITHOUT A BEST FRIEND

I could hold you all night

And it wouldn’t make it right

I have held you all day

And it doesn’t go away

‘Cause it’s when I hold you close

That’s when it hurts the most

Rose Cousins – Go First

Three years ago today, my beautiful, big, fluffy Maine Coon; Dolly, was put to sleep after a week-long battle that ultimately ended in Kidney failure. Having recently started to struggle again with my mental health, a lot of people were kind of concerned that the anniversary of my cat’s death would trigger more unsafe behaviours. But, I know that Dolly wouldn’t want me to use her death as a reason to hurt myself. She would want me to hold onto the good memories of her and to focus on all the positives in my life. And doing this, made me think about the main thing I’ve learnt as a result of losing my furry best friend:

LOVE THE FLUFFY ONES IN YOUR LIFE WITHOUT CONCERN OR CARE FOR THE JUDGMENT OF OTHERS

Being aware of the judgements, thoughts, and opinions of others can be so unhealthy because they can prevent you from making decisions based on your own feelings. After losing Dolly, there have been so many instances where I’ve found myself saying “I know it sounds silly but…” I was just so conscious that if I talked about all my thoughts on what Dolly would have wanted, there’d be so many people who’d be thinking ‘it’s just a cat!’ And with their judgement in mind, I tried so hard to hide just how much I was hurting, and how utterly broken I felt with the overwhelmingly painful realisation and acceptance that I would never see Dolly again.

I was going to talk about how Dolly came into my life with the intention that it would illustrate to people why she was so important to me; but I worried it would look as though I was trying to justify her worth. As though I were trying to convince everyone that she was definitely more than ‘just a cat.’ But then I wondered, wouldn’t that be the exact opposite of the message I’m trying to get across? Wouldn’t it look as though I do really care about the judgement of others? So, I finally came to the conclusion that rather than talk about the beginning with Dolly in a bid to force others to understand my upset, it’d be much nicer to tell you because I believe her coming into my life is so very deserving of being shared…

LIVING WITH LUNA | FOUR WEEKS WITH MY NEW BUNNY | INTRODUCING DIFFERENT PETS | IN COLLABORATION WITH CATS PROTECTION | AD

I’m stuck in the dark, but you’re my flashlight

You’re getting me, getting me through the night

Flashlight – Jessie J

This post includes a gifted item from the brand new Cats Protection clothing. You can buy my t-shirt and browse their other items here: https://catsprotectionclothing.com

 

So, I can’t believe I’ve had my little mini Lionhead, lop-eared bunny; Luna for four weeks now! Having her has been like one of those things where it feels like she’s been here forever; just because that’s how well and how quickly she has settled in… 

When my first bunny, Pixie was put to sleep in April this year, I immediately realised I’d need to make the decision as to whether or not to get another bunny. And that might sound awful that I had just lost Pixie and was already thinking about a new rabbit… but it wasn’t about replacing her in any way at all! 

It was about how having Pixie had provided such a helpful grounding technique when I would hallucinate rabbits. So, in her absence; I had the panic and concern that I wouldn’t be able to cope safely if the hallucinations were to come back (they’ve been gone for over a year now after my antipsychotic medication was increased). But, it also wasn’t even just about me and my mental health. It was also about my cat; Emmy and what the best decision would be for her and, to be fair, I initially put her before my own thoughts and feelings on it.

WHY MY PETS HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT | IN COLLABORATION WITH FLUFFY CREATURES LTD | DISCOUNT CODE INCLUDED | AD

*This piece is in collaboration with the Etsy store: Fluffy Creatures LTD and features photos of their products which weren’t gifted, though there is a discount code below!)*

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/FluffyCreatureLtd

https://www.instagram.com/fluffycreatureltd/

Discount code (20% off when you spend £10): NOTDISORDERED

So, you may have missed it, but I got a new mini lop lionhead bunny (Luna) on September 1^st (you can read about her arrival here) and it almost felt inevitable – to me – that I created a joint Instagram account for her and my little calico rescue cat; Emmy… 

https://www.instagram.com/big.pawslittle.paws/

A FRESH START

The reason I had to make the decision to even just get Luna was because my previous lop Lionhead bunny; Pixie was put to sleep in April (you can read about her death here).

#FINDSCOUT

So, I'm going to do something a little bit unusual for I'm NOT Disordered... the inspiration for this post comes from me randomly seeing someone’s tweet about not knowing what to do when her daughter’s world is falling apart. Out of sheer curiosity, I looked through the tweets and discovered that her daughter; Jess has lost her cat. Her beloved calico cat, Scout went missing just over three weeks ago in the Gateshead area of the North East of England. 

So, I contacted Jess and offered to post about Scout on my blog. Now, I’ve read about so many instances of pets going missing and whilst they’re all saddening, I don’t think I’ve gotten as emotional as I did when reading about Jess and Scout. I think one reason for this was the resemblance Scout has to my own calico cat; Emmy; but the biggest reason was that literally everything Jess was saying about her thoughts and feelings around Scout felt like an echo of me. 

BLOGMAS 2020 WITH I’M NOT DISORDERED | RECOMMENDATION TEN: PETS, A DISCOUNT CODE, & CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR THEM! | IN COLLABORATION WITH BANDANA BOWTIQUE | AD

Hello and welcome to recommendation number ten in Blogmas 2020 with I’m NOT Disordered!

Today, I want to do something not completely un-heard of for me; shed light on the importance of pets and ‘recommend’ them and maybe, even some Christmas presents for your furry family members!

Also, very proud to say that this post is in collaboration with Bandana Bowtique who I've had the amazing opportunity to design some Christmassy pet bandanas for! And they've kindly gifted you all a 10% discount code on any of their bandanas!

It’s no secret that I find having my pets (a lop-eared, Lionhead bunny called Pixie, and a calico rescue cat named Emmy) really beneficial to my mental health.

I barely remember the pets I had growing up; they were mostly Syrian hamsters, I had two Russian Dwarf Hamsters too and a gerbil at one point! But I was so young, and my childhood was so idyllic that I can’t recall them ever having some kind of impact on my mental health because I wasn’t really aware of its existence!

The last two pets I had at my Mum’s home were a Fish called Elvis, a Syrian Hamster called Butter, and a black cat called Saffy. While I was in the specialist psychiatric hospital over 100 miles away from home, my loved ones, and my pets; the Hamster and Fish passed away because both animals have a short lifespan. The cat, however, lived for just over twelve years and didn’t pass away until I was in my own home two years after my hospital discharge in 2014.