The Animals Who Sit At Our Side
Hello all,
I just found this forum today and am so stoked to have people to talk to about ankylosing spondylitis who won't glaze over after the second syllable.
I was diagnosed two months ago after a slow and painful year-long recovery from spinal surgery. It's been total hell and I'm sure many of you can relate to the feelings of loss I've experienced. Anyways, my mum gifted me a kitten a couple of weeks ago because I live alone and she thought it might help me.
And truly, this cat has brightened my life. She doesn't care that I groan and cry sometimes when I get stuck on the yoga mat, she sits quietly next to me when I'm lost in fog, and she meows incessantly in the morning when she's hungry, which helps me find some sense of urgency so that I can get out of bed. And her antics make me laugh which distracts me from everything else that I'm struggling with. Recently there has been something close to a swarm of lady bugs here and it is delightful to watch her chase them.
I called her JiJi because she looks like the cat from Kiki's Delivery Service.
If any of you have pets I'd love to hear stories about them and how they help you. 
Here are my babies, my two Bernedoodles, Blu and Bentley! They are such a riot and make us laugh constantly. Not only that, but they love to cuddle, which is so wonderful, especially when I'm having a flare and I'm in bed!
Hello Alicia,
Like you I’m very new to the site and was so very stoked to see a community that doesn’t glaze over upon describing the issue or the ongoing fight. I’ve been fighting for the last 35 years of my life … I was originally diagnosed with juvenile psoriatic arthritis, god at 14 and so long ago. Internet wasn’t much of an option .. it didn’t even exist yet. To describe how segregated in many ways you felt, well … there’s not many places to reach out. When I was re-diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis four years ago. My new rheumatologist describing how much damage has been done to my spine I was in shock.
I got Loki as a kitten, he’s going to be three in May. He’s never once cared about my pain, when my days are bad, he does curl up with me and sleep with me when my fatigue claims me because I pushed too hard. He’s my sanity, he’s my boy and truly there’s nothing I won’t do to make sure he has a long and healthy life with me. He’s never judged me, and he even plays fetch with me, no joke! I’ll throw a ball of paper, a kitty toy, whatever has his attention. He’ll chase it and bring it back!
Hi
,
Jiji is absolutely adorable and I am so glad that you and everybody else on this thread has been helped so much through their AS journey with their furry companions!
I don't have a pet myself but seeing all of these photos has really put a smile on my face!
Thanks for sharing guys!
All the best,
James (Community Member)
Welcome and thanks for making this a topic! This would all be so much harder without our beloved pets. These pics are all so cute! Our pets see only the best in us, and to them we are perfect just as we are. No explanations or excuses needed. No questions. Truly therapeutic!!❤️
