T4

I have no lover, no children, no parents, Roswell.  But I don't drink. Maybe the heavy drinking is what is diminishing your health. Can you get some help for it? 

I had no lover until I read "Games People Play" in my late twenties. It clued me up enough about how most people think to allow me to break though and connect with others better. It's a two edged sword though, as it's nice to have a lover, but it means you have to make a shedload of compromises, in order to keep them around.

For companionship, Cats for me have been unbeatable. They are simple creatures if you just take care of the basics food, water, litter (some cats won't use one, some will) vet, but if you invest a bit of time into learning how they work and what they like, the experience takes on a wholly more rewarding aspect. If you are open to the concept of non-vocal communication being a thing, most cats will willingly teach you. My cat likes: food, water, play, cuddles, reassurance, treats & catnip and I pretty much always know what he wants when he wants it, by means that I don't really understand, but am happy to go along with... I just know. Most of my NT friends seem to see their pets as "furry robots" and completely miss the unique little individual hiding within. My cat does a little smile when I make him happy and if I'm really on my game I can get his eyes to tear up with happiness. (First time I saw it, I though he had picked up an eye infection!) It has taken me a long time (3 years) to bond with this particular creature, he was terrified of all men at first, and really preferred my partner for the first few years, but after 3 years the penny dropped when I took a short holiday, and suddenly he realised that he missed my input. I derive great joy from my cats, and it's well worth the minor annoyance of having to stop the T.V. and say hello when he walks in, or get up and feed him when he wants food, play with him when he wants play etc. One of his most annoying traits is that of I say, I'll play with you in a minute I just have to do some thing first, he sits and waits for me! (It's annoying because I occasionally forget and the guilt is horrible!) Unlike dogs which seem programmed to love their owners, a cat volunteers his affections, so when you get it right there is a real sense of achievement.  

I agree - we had 2 cats - a rescue Main Coon and a rescue moggy.     Their needs were as you described - and they became very interactive - the moggy almost learning to speak simple sounds and intonations to express joyful hello and annoyed chatter at the birds in the garden.      They were so in-tune with our emotions.    The Main Coon was very much like a dog - protective and loyal - and would come for walks with us when I was taking my daughter around the block practising reading all the car number plates.

Anytime the door was open they could just decide to wander off as wild animals but they stayed.    Both lived until about 19-ish

I agree - we had 2 cats - a rescue Main Coon and a rescue moggy.     Their needs were as you described - and they became very interactive - the moggy almost learning to speak simple sounds and intonations to express joyful hello and annoyed chatter at the birds in the garden.      They were so in-tune with our emotions.    The Main Coon was very much like a dog - protective and loyal - and would come for walks with us when I was taking my daughter around the block practising reading all the car number plates.

Anytime the door was open they could just decide to wander off as wild animals but they stayed.    Both lived until about 19-ish

We had 2 ex breeding  main coons ,one was the biggest i have ever known . I didn't know much about the pedigree cat market before that ,they where kept in enclosed runs never let out . [so cruel ]. The big one got run over but the other lived for ages and became a proper cat ,took about 6 months before it recovered ,was just terrified of everything .