I don’t know how to explain this but I’ve always loved animals and recently realized that maybe it has something to do with my BPD, because people with BPD often have trouble belonging or connecting with other people, and I’ve always preferred the company of animals to people. I want people friends for sure, but I never feel able to make them… Animals are the only things on this planet that feel safe and warm to me. Animals do not judge, are not abusive, can’t say anything hurtful, keep no record of any mistakes you’ve made in your life, and often are loyal to those they love, they’ll never abandon you (as people can and will). They also are so unconditionally loving. I feel worthless and unlovable almost everyday since I was probably 12 years old, and have a hard time believing any person would want to be close to me or actually care or not hate me as I hate myself…but when my dog comes up when I’m crying and licks me and curls up in my lap, or walks up and scratches my bedroom door because I haven’t come out in a while and he’s desperate to see me, these are the few moments in my life where I actually feel loved. A living creature is clearly happy to see me, wants to be around me all the time, wags his tail whenever he makes eye contact, and has picked me as a favorite among everyone in my family. I can’t even try to deny that he loves me, which normally my BPD tries to get me to do to myself. I’ve never been able to feel so reassured of that with any person. I always feel like people secretly hate me or don’t care about hurting me (and will). When somebody seems interested in being friends I panic and immediately push them away. I always think it’s going to end badly because it has before. But with animals I feel safe and happy. Does anyone else feel this way?