I just want a dog.

I have chronic severe depression. I have panic disorder. I’m trying to get over the agoraphobia I’ve developed. I used to have multiple panic attacks every day before I started my anxiety medication. I felt like I was going to drop dead at any given moment, day or night. I had suicidal thoughts as a young teen. I’m twenty-one now, and while I’m not suicidal I self harm like it’s nothing. My parents are emotionally, verbally and mentally abusive. Borderline physically abusive. I’m not able to live on my own due to my stress levels. I have trouble keeping jobs cuz I feel sick every day from the depression and anxiety. Management’s starting to treat me unkindly at the job I have now. The only talents I have are in the fine and performing arts, and it’s my passion, which automatically puts me at a lower social position in the world because most people think artists are just lazy people who don’t want to do actual work. It’s the only thing that doesn’t stress me out till I get sick. My dad told me I’m not as talented as I think I am and both my parents try to force me to do everything they want me to do, all on my own, and I’m no good at it.
I found out about emotional support dogs not too long ago. It means that the pet you get is registered as an emotional support dog, and you can take them more places than you could a normal pet. I read the qualifications, and I surely qualify. The website practically describes me. I told my parents about it, but they said no way. They haven’t let me get any pet of my own, ever (I snuck a fish home once and got in big trouble).

I just want a friend.

I just want a dog.