Key points

Early sobriety has many challenges.

In those early days, there is a need for stability and non-judgment.

Caring for a pet during this time is a great way to build some new, positive habits.

Pets can be great healers.

When I first got sober, I learned you can't do it alone. I was reminded of this with every recovery meeting I attended, with every conversation I had with a sober friend, and with all the check-ins with my sober online communities. Also with therapists. With a supportive husband. With God.

And another soul was well-invested in me during those early days of recovery. It was my cat, Steve.

Steve was a delightful creature. He was a girthy, orange-and-white mass of muscle and love. When Steve jumped off the bed upstairs , you could hear him downstairs . And h

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