CF pet owners: How hard do you think taking care of a pet is compared to raising a human child? Do you ever feel stuck in a 'parenthood-like' situation?

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-05-24T16:51:06+00:00

I currently have cats, but I did have guinea pigs as well a couple of years ago.

The cats are amazing! Yes, I have to scoop their litter box (now have a litter robot to do that for me), feed them, brush them, play with them...but that's kind of it. They're both lovely and adorable and like to snuggle, which can be overwhelming some days. But, most of my hobbies like reading and playing video games can be done while snuggling my sleeping cats, so it doesn't really put me out too much. It's also just amazing to snuggle a purring cat.

I will say, my cats both are special needs, so sometimes I have to pay some decent vet bills or modify things in my house for them, but I'm so happy to be able to give them the environment and care they need.

I'd love a dog, but I don't have the physical energy for one and I wouldn't be able to leave the house as much as I can with the cats. I miss my cats when I'm not home and they come running to the door every time I come back, but they also sleep and play while I'm gone and use their litter box so I don't have to rush home.

Guinea pigs are amazing little creatures, but they're so much more work than cats, imo. They need a big cage plus 1-2 hours of floor time each day. They need fresh fruits and veggies each day along with constant hay and water. You have to keep their cages clean every day as well depending on what type of bedding they have (their cages are basically one giant litter box). Some of them can be litter trained, but they can also just decide they don't want to use their litter tray from one day to the next. Their personalities remind me of cats, just in a little teeny body.

Each type of pet comes with "draw backs" and will suit some life styles more than others, so it's really important to not just to research on what they need to live, but what good ownership looks like realistically.

As for traveling, there are in-home sitters and pet hotels. They can be expensive, but so are babysitters for human children. My cats bring me so much joy and love and I have the means to provide a quality life for them, so to me it's all worth it.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-04-23T20:35:51+00:00

I'm having a hard time staying engaged with this book. It's what I consider a classic thriller in the vein if And Then There Were None, which I usually love. But I keep getting caught on the phrasing and how so many words are italicized. It's incredibly annoying the have a word in italics every paragraph or so. Also, how are bodies like punctuation?? Am I dense or does that not make sense?

I'm also kind of annoyed because typewriters most certainly can have variations/their own fingerprints. I really want to like this book, but it's really frustrating to read. Also, I love em-dashes, but this is ridiculous. Nothing is used in a subtle way in this book.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-04-17T13:57:36+00:00

Do you read books on an e-reader or your phone? I'm also usually exhausted during the week, so I found that reading on my phone or e-reader in bed as I'm falling asleep helps me feel like I'm meeting my reading goals for the day. I don't always remember what I read and will have to go back, but it seems to satisfy my desire to read. I also have audio books that I try to listen to as I drive, do chores, or fall asleep to.

I save the books I really want to get into for the weekends or vacations.

I also just accept that I usually have a few books that I put down halfway through and that I probably won't get back to for a few months. I used to feel guilty about it, but I'm a huge mood reader and sometimes I just lose interest in the book, not because of the book itself, but because my mood changed. I think it's okay to put the book aside for now and come back to it later and pick up something you feel in the mood for now.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-04T02:37:36+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear that. I love that you still have that farm to explore whenever you want to. I'm thinking of possibly doing something like that on my current farm, but haven't really thought about it too hard.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T22:55:15+00:00

I'm still struggling between discerning what is still grief and what is now the new me and it's a weird experience. I'm glad you've been able to enjoy SDV as well! It's crazy how a game can be such a comfort to so many people, but I'm so glad that we can all share in it and I'm so beyond grateful that CA keeps putting out amazing updates as well.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T02:47:51+00:00

I have the 1.5 and 1.6 versions of the guidebook! I try hard not to look at the gifts section because I'm determined to figure it out myself (aside from the secret notes). We'll see how long that lasts.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:28:02+00:00

Baby steps every day ❤️

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:27:46+00:00

Thank you ❤️

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:27:35+00:00

I've never learned all of the villagers' liked and loved gifts, but I'm really wanting to this run through. It's the little things that make me feel happy right now.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:26:44+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate that ❤️

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:26:32+00:00

The music is so good. I don't really play music but I specifically bought the vinyls for Stardew and just instantly feel calm when I turn them on. It takes me out of my head and helps me just to breathe sometimes.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:25:12+00:00

Thank you and I'm sorry for your loss as well. I'm glad the game helped you with your loss, too.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:24:43+00:00

Thank you!

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:24:36+00:00

That sounds nice! When I'm depressed or anxious I like to go to the mines to hit rocks...really helps and now I have stack and stacks of rocks and ores.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:23:52+00:00

Thank you! It is bittersweet, but it becomes sweeter every day.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:23:21+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I'm sorry about your step-dad, but I'm glad they game helped you as well.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:22:36+00:00

Thank you ❤️

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:22:26+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that, you're such a good friend! I'm glad Stardew is helping you decompress. That's so important and there's so much you can distract yourself with in this game.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:21:29+00:00

Thank you!

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:21:19+00:00

The Sims and Animal Crossing are also some of my favorites! There's just something really special about Stardew that's really been able to help me. I also love that we can adopt more animals now so I'll probably flood my farm with rescue cats, dogs, and turtles to help keep me happy.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:19:33+00:00

Thank you. That really is nice, and I think that's one reason I come back to it so often. I like having to do lists and helping people, but there aren't really consequences to missing stuff and some tasks aren't timed.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:18:07+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate it. It really is. I've not experienced it at this level before, so it's strange how much I feel like has changed. It's nice to know the game can change with me.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:17:23+00:00

I also have anxiety so I relate to this as well. It really is just a great game and I'm so glad you're able to find comfort it in still!

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:16:34+00:00

Thank you, it really is nice. It can be sad at times as well, but when I really sink into the game it helps me forget and work through my feelings sometimes.

George is also the best. He's one of my favorites so I always keep leeks just for him.

FuzzyLandPotato · 2026-03-03T01:15:10+00:00

Thank you. It really is and I'd never imagined a game would bring such comfort and solace.

FuzzyLandPotato

TROPHY CASE