Autism And Animals, The Love And The Loss

For many months now I have been thinking about getting a pet.

I know it would enhance my quality of life in unquantifiable ways. I know this, because I’ve had pets before.

Bonds with animals can be some of the most rewarding, fulfilling and supportive that we can form. Animals don’t judge us, they don’t abuse us, they don’t reject us (well, sometimes they don’t want to hang out with us, but that’s not the same!). Some people develop deeper, more loving relationships with animals than they can access with humans. This is prevalent among Autistics. It could be because speech is unnecessary, because we won’t be subject to ableism, because the bonds are uncomplicated by colonised constructs about how to socialise, because they are simple and loving. And when we lose them, it can be soul crushing.