On a lighter note if I may venture.
3 years back we had to destroy both our 19 years old litter mates within 6 months of each other.
Their stuff lay untouched for another few months, and then it was time to sanitise it all and donate it to the Rescue Centre where we bought Luke & Liah from.
Problem was, just as we were handing the stuff in, SWMBO spotted…
You may guess the rest…
Here’s a clue…
Just a suggestion … maybe advertise in Preloved, Gumtree or similar? Just seen this in Preloved: “Hi everyone, I am looking for a puppy to become an emotional support dog, my price point is up to £250 and I’m mainly looking for a staffy, British bulldog or pug. I have experience with deaf dogs and I’m happy to take on deaf or blind puppies that need a home x”. Your Buddy proved that being deaf in your work environment worked out fine, and clearly you are experienced, committed, and very thoughtful about what you can and cannot do in your situation. It is a long shot, for sure, but maybe worth posting a few ads with your specific requirements? I do hope that you don’t find you have to settle for a goldfish, by all accounts they are not good for your mental health.
Resistance is futile 
I had two sticklebacks as pets, maybe they’re better than goldfish 
I couldn’t say. I was just going on the experience of Paul_W1’s colleague. I remember trying to “guddle” sticklebacks from Dollar Glen when I was much younger. Tricky customers … I never mastered the art! Once had sturgeons in a pond with goldfish. They were hopeless, just kept swimming round the edge until 1 ended up on the lawn, we think a cat hoiked it out, and the other was lost to a heron.
No question?
Not so sure.
Our family had a house backing onto fields and the many foxes and badgers never bothered our cat, in fact I once saw him ( big Siamese) chase a fox off.
Here there are no badgers but there are plenty of foxes and they don’t bother our small but fierce 12 year old Burmese at all.
As good as that can be… it also opens me up to a world of judgement… people will say. Well if cant afford the 1k price tag for a dog how can you afford a dog ??.
My mental health isn’t great at the best of times… and I know it’ll just ruin me.
Its like stepping on egg shells have the time with when I’m gonna cry or not 
Trouble is not all cats are the same… and im terrible for ‘baby-ing’ animals… so I couldn’t forgive myself if they got eaten by a fox.
Around here we have lots of urban foxes and a few badgers. My security cameras show the night visitors.
One big tabby in particular thinks he owns our front garden between 3am and 4am, to the extent he will face down the pair of vixens who often pass through together or just a minute apart.
Well,
They won’t carp on as much.
Ha. Get yourself a Bengal.
Great with people but will terrorize all the cats in the neighbourhood. There’s no way a fox or badger will trouble a Bengal. It probably won’t be too difficult to find one that needs rehoming either.
People often want to rehome them so that their neighbours will talk to them again…
We have a like button, where’s the groan button on these forums ! 
I’d forogotten about Bengal cats so I was sure you meant a tiger there. I guess if Ambasize took one to work by car it’d be like having a tiger in the tank (groan button reply if ever I made one 
).
I looked into them… again rescue won’t recommend to me as I work full time… with regards to a cat. And bengals are too costly… 
Try the rescue sites ?,im a Siamese/Balinese guy and it’s like having a dog lol
You know that was a joke, don’t you……? 
Hi Ambasize,
Disembodied hug!
On my own too and yes isolated birthday in May. So thinking of you.
Have you joined your local MX5 group.
I’m dipping my toe in next Mon at Sywell - my closest. Taken me 4yrs!
Just a thought.
All good wishes.
Elaine
PS I’ve had to make time out of a busy evening schedule to arrange to go to the meet - give it a go, good to see people who share the MX - 5 bug.
Remember - you can go your own way too!
E
Alone/ Lonely? Try driving your Mx5 for a while, on country roads, away from “other drivers”. Try the right pedal (there is only one right pedal!)
hang on in there chuck i was 35 when i met my now wife
we have been together for over 16 years and have a 6 year old and a 6 month old
we got together after one cheeky comment from me that she responded too it
so dont be sad life has a way of sorting its self out
and as the car show season is on make sure you get out to them you never know your special one could just be a comment away
Clubs are an excellent way of meeting new people and making new friends