A friend indeed.

[Craiga 01453]

Craig, that's awesome. I'm very happy for you. I also want to add that when I read a great, thorough and thoughtful post I am never surprised to see it's from you. You really take the time to help and I always appreciate reading your words on whichever topic or thread they're written.

Thank you very much! I know a lot of people in recovery who don't really discuss it outside of meetings or close knit circles. I'm not ashamed of what I went through. If I can help one person by sharing my story, then I don't care how many people know that I am an alcoholic and a drug addict. I always will be, but I'm one of the lucky ones who has beaten the odds and is staying clean and sober today. I'm not foolish enough to think I have this disease beat, it's literally a day-by-day challenge, but I know that I have felt no desire to drink or use in a long time and this disease no longer controls me, I control it.

And thank you again! I always like to try to help where I can. I don't answer questions I'm not qualified to answer or have no experience with. I stick to what I do know and leave the stuff I don't know or have first-hand experience with to those who are more qualified. I look at it like this: I was new once too, and I know how frustrating and discouraging it can be to get things right at first, especially with so much mixed information out there. So if I can help somebody get over that discouraging hump and be able to enjoy these amazing animals rather than get discouraged and give up or lose interest, or simply ease their mind a bit, then I'm happy to be sharing my passion with somebody else who may be able to enjoy their animal a little more rather than stressing over it. And in the meantime, hopefully I'm helping somebody to provide a better home for their animal.
Win/Win!