Thanks for the update, Arfie! I was just sitting here bawling over what my sis would've become had she lived ... and how I would've much preferred to be out of the way of it.... as i plan to get out my apints and do something productive to get my head out of that space. Or I write... Work, in other words. It's what I call a Productive Re-Direction of Anxiety. So woot to you! and glad you are getting in some self-care by keeping yourself out of the way....

Gentle purrs, if you don't mind, and if you do, then pretend I'm a dog wagging at ail at you:-)

Sorry for the typos, fumble fingers kind of day, my apologies. That was wagging a tail.

Be proud of yourself. Balancing acts aren't easy except in the movies!

Well, Leo, cougars are definitely more acceptable than those arrogant house cats. My last dog was a shiba inu who purred like a big cat.

I didn't know they coud make that noise.... hmmm... A pity my mom's a dog-phobe (for ar eason).... I have wanted a dog since my beloved childhood best furry friend passed. Nothing as cool as a shiba inu. More a Heinz 57:-)

Love your avi, btw, b/c it reminds me of this dog we had when I was young (as all our pets, a rescue) and oh, how like a wolf she seemed when protecting us? Then turned around and just a big old cuddle on feet.:-)

Didn't know he was a shiba inu when he found me. Yes, he found me. I have heard the breed tends to choose its companions rather than the other way around. The spooky part is I named him Seeba before I knew he was a Shiba. He was a young adult when he found me. He was with me about 15 years before he started looking like he was in incredible pain and trying to wander off. Finally I let him. His "long walk." I think. May he rest in peace.

Not kidding about the purring. He really did purr like a big cat. A deep, throaty purr when he was content. I still feel very connected to him.

These days I have a curr dog. I think. Looks allot like an American Pitt, but who knows. Got her from the pound. I connect with the animal, not the paperwork.

So glad you have the presence of mind in this crisis to know to feel proud of yourself in the midst of it. Steering a middle course in the middle of family drama and keeping to it is a great achievement, especially when PTSD triggers pull to and fro. Thats GREAT, arfie, to care for both of these men you love and have boundaries for the business they are transacting between the two of them right now. Wow, I admire you for that.