The Story of Connor and Kate - I was diagnosed with PTSD.....

Story - Photo's - Video - Submission by Kate D.

I got Connor (1 year old cat) over a month ago now. When I first got him he was absolutely horrible. He didn't like girls at all. In fact, he would attack me and my roommate meaning hiss, growl, swat at us just about everything. He loved my laundry basket in my closet so that's where he was the first week and a half besides at night he would come out to eat and do his business and straight back to the closet he went. Pet smart ended up taking him back to the shelter because the workers couldn't get him out of his kennel when someone wanted to look at him. Luckily, I got to see him at the shelter and hold him once when he first got there. I fought and argued to take this cat home with me. My mind was set on him.

The reason I am saying this is because I was diagnosed with PTSD and I knew a therapy cat would help. At the the time I was scared of keeping Connor because I had no clue on if he was just going to stay this mean or what. Well, it's been a little over a month and he will NOT leave my side or my feet. He sits on our door mat waiting for me to come home. Connor sits by the bathroom door waiting for me to get out of the shower. I've ended up kicking him to the floor and almost stepping on him because he is glued to my feet whenever I walk. He follows me around the apartment waiting for me to go to bed. Let's just say I can't thank God enough for showing me Connor.

Since I've had him like this I myself have become a whole new person. I have matured and took more responsibilities and I am working harder. I don't have as many 'break downs' feeling empty and alone and just not seeing the light or positive in life. Every day I come home loving life and where I am to this day. So my question is..

WHO SAVED WHO?

Did Connor save me or did I save Connor?

Here is a little video of Connor understanding the word kiss.

Happy Veterans day for all that have served; animal and humans alike!

Dogs in particular have played a major role in military's including the US Military for a very long time, with somewhere around 3,000 dogs in active duty today.  Cities, cemeteries, and military bases across the country have memorials to honor these brave canines and in January (2013), our nation will unveil the "The U.S. Working Dog Teams National Monument" to honor every dog that has served in combat since World War II.  This will be the first dog memorial elevated to national monument status and share the same honor as the Statue of Liberty and Mt Rushmore.

Having been in the works since 2004, this monument displays the modern military handler standing at more than 9 feet tall and weighing 1,500 pounds along side four dogs.  The Doberman, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Belgian Malinois, all breeds used in wars, weigh in at about 550 pounds and around 5 feet each.

Behind the figures will stand a granite wall with an inscription on one side and etched pictures of military dog teams on the other.  After a number of events to celebrate this monument, including parades and a tour, it will eventually find it's home at Lackland Air force Base in San Antonio Texas, where training for Military Dog Teams have been taking place for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard since 1958.

U.S Military Dogs in Action - See more from The Washington Post

More on Pets in the Military

• Find out more about this monument and upcoming activities at: 
• http://www.jbmf.us/index.aspx
• Dogs of course help our Military on and off the battle field.  Learn about "Pets-for-Vets" at:
• http://pets-for-vets.com/
• Interested in adopting a Veteran Military Working Dog?  Check out:
• http://www.militaryworkingdogadoptions.com/
• Check out the following link for Children's stories on Dog Heroes in and out of the military.
• http://www.bearportpublishing.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=192#