[throwaway66666]

I had an imaginary friend. It was a dog. My parents wouldn't get me a puppy, so I just imagined having one.

It was a lot of work because I imagined having to take it for walks (so I would walk around the block), or try to train it. In the end my imaginary dog bit someone (but it was self defense!) and I had to put it to sleep. No wonder I 'm now a depressive adult.

[napsterbr]

After a depression episode, my brother convinced me to adopt a dog. I rescued a cute little puppy from a shelter, and she became my whole world.

Without a doubt, adopting a dog was the best decision in my life. I highly recommend you consider doing the same, no matter how many adjustments you may have to make in your life to accommodate a new family member.

[dkersten]

I've been asked why I let my cat control my life as much as I do (eg, I've passed up jobs that would have required me to move abroad just because I didn't want to put my cat through the moving abroad process), but she's an important part of my life and has helped me through difficult times.

[napsterbr]

Hah, same here. One of the reasons remote work is my only option.