#it could be dehydration but tbh i'm dehydrated most of the time so i doubt

[bloodthirstymoonstone]

Well, that was fun while it lasted...

[emeraldhazeidentity]

You don't have to answer, but I'm super curious-- why did you choose a Cherry bitty? The description makes it seem like they'd be really difficult to take care of (and please don't take this the wrong way, but they don't sound like they'd be much fun to be around). How do you handle the anxiety and frequent crying? Is there anxiety medicine for bitties like there is for people to help them feel better?

First off, thank you so much for your question! I'm delighted to get the chance to talk about my bitty!

Answer under the Read More, because it's quite long 😅

Why I chose a Cherry Bitty:

There are a lot of reasons, tbh, but the main ones are:

- I adore UF Sans, but I doubt I could cope with the destruction and aggression of an Edgy

- As someone with a lot of social anxiety, self doubt and low self esteem myself, I have a lot of empathy with Cherries. Looking after Robin helps me to be kinder to myself.

- I work at a cat rescue/adoption centre. One of the most rewarding parts of the job is helping a scared, timid animal come out of its shell and learn to trust people again. Making that breakthrough where a cat that hides away all the time finally lets you fuss it, and you see its barriers start to crumble away as it realises "This is nice. I could get used to this" is just the best feeling in the world!

2. How I care for my Cherry

Robin reminds me of a timid little bird (which is how he got his name). I handle him the same way I'd handle a nervous cat at work, or a scared child: lots of reassurance and comfort, taking everything at his pace, never scolding him for things he can't help doing, like having an anxiety attack or lashing out in fear, and giving him lots of praise for even the smallest things, like making eye contact when someone speaks to him.

Like I said, anxiety is something I know all too well, so when he gets overwhelmed I take him away somewhere quieter so he can calm down. If he wants me to stay with him, I'll hold him and comfort him through the panic attack. If not, he has a little den in his room where he can bury himself away until he feels better. Like the cats at work, that den is his safe space, and I try to never invade it unless absolutely necessary.

As for the frequent crying: tears are healthy. Crying is like a safety valve that releases the pressure when it's built up too much. No one should ever feel ashamed of crying. I'll hold Robin and comfort him through the tears as many times as necessary. And then make sure he drinks a lot of water so he doesn't get dehydrated.

Robin actually does take anxiety medication when we have to go out somewhere busy or scary, like an airport or a doctor's office. It's actually the same stuff they give humans, just at a fraction of the dosage. It doesn't eliminate his anxiety, but it does help take the edge off so he can cope. He still afterwards needs several days of absolute quiet at home before he can cope with the world again, though. But there is no shame in taking medication for your mental health.

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Thank you so much for the ask! I am always happy to talk about bitties with anyone 🤗