Sorry your having a tough time, although I don't have pets of my own I know how attached people become of their pets - they are just another member of the family.
A male member of work was in tears a few months back because his pet had died - he was completely heartbroken.

Where did you go to cry during your work break? My wife says she stays clear of toilets because even locked away in one of the stalls you can be heard - she prefers a walk around quiet streets when she needs to cry.

I do like a woman who lets her tears flow unchecked. Also, in this situation when you had to return to work shortly after I think it makes the recovery quickier - less red eye. If you wipe tears from your eye you tend to look like you have been crying for longer.

I also experience the tight skin after crying - guess it must be the salt in the tears coming out as they dry on your skin.

I'm sorry about your mother and your pets. I know what you mean about needing to release emotion sometimes. I do that too -- sometimes, if I haven't cried in a while, I find myself focusing on something that will provoke tears and just let myself release them. When it's really necessary, it relaxes me.

Sorry about all your troubles, caircair.

caircair wrote:

Exactly.  Tears are very theraputic.  Husband will often tell me "let it out".  I've found if I try to hold it in too long, it makes the resulting breakdown much worse.

I completely agree, I feel giving yourself time to cry 'properly' helps deal with life's issues. And when I say 'properly' I mean the way you as a person cry without holding anything back or trying to stifle the intensity of the crying episode. If you sob loudly when you cry then you allow yourself to cry loudly.

I generally don't make a lot of noise when I cry but I do tend to shed a lot of tears. I feel I get more benefits from crying if I allow these tears to stream from my eyes unchecked as opposed to trying to stem them and wipe them away continuously. Also if I cry until I naturally stop rather than forcing myself to stop it helps me more.

It's not a no-kill shelter, but we knew that.  However, I'm not too worried about them being adopted out - our boy is a super-friendly beast who LOVES being around people, his sister is shyer but has a very sweet temper.  We were assured that since they were not biters, they would be easily adopted.

That being said, if anyone in the Seattle area would like to become pet owners, look for the 12-year-old duo.  He's all black, she's a tuxedo cat, they both were declawed on their front feet (by the previous owner, not by us!), and they are loving, sweet animals who would be a great addition to any family.  They're at the Seattle Animal Shelter - and I believe there's a discount on the fees since they are older.