Ever since i got my hermit crab, i keep getting bad thoughts...

(I don't know if this should be in the 'pets' category)

I was on vacation by the beach, and ended up getting a pet hermit crab.

I find the little guy adorable, and his skittish nature just seems so.. endearing to me.

But I end up keeping myself awake with all of these awful thoughts...
I imagine myself stepping on him/his cage.. Someone else crushing him or kicking his cage...
Him dieing and rotting... Someone throwing him... etc.

Basically, all of these awful thoughts of something bad happening to him... I end up not being able to sleep. If I have thoughts of stepping on his, I need to have something touching the bottom of my feet in order to relax...

I have also have dreams in the past of a small, fragile animal getting crushed. It leaves me feeling terrified...

Is it normal to suddenly be getting all of these type of thoughts? The thought of something bad happening to the little crab frightens me, yet I keep imagining it...

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51% Normal
Based on 89 votes (45 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • holy_intruder

    I have a 3 pound teacup Pomeranian that is adorable beyond words. (I know every pet owner thinks their pet is the cutest, but she really is so cute it's sick.) This is important because I've witnessed her melting some pretty hard shells and I can't imagine anyone but the sickest, most depraved piece of shit could ever hurt her, yet I have had several dreams of her being snatched up and crushed to death in someone's bare hands and I know how terrible that feels. I know it doesn't really help, but I'm sure you noticed, as 30928 pointed out, the fragility of the pet probably has a lot to do with it. You could have an armor-plated hippopotamus as a pet and still experience a fear of losing him manifesting as nightmares, but I think the more protection and care that the pet requires, the easier it is that anxiety for its well-being can set it.

    24545 is also correct. If I were you, I would indulge the OCD and take (unnecessary?) protective/preventative measures to safeguard against accidents. I know that giving my puppy a little space in bed between her mommy and me keeps her cuddled up close to me where I know she's safe and can feel her tiny, furry presence even while I'm asleep helped to ease my worries. I know you can't cuddle your hermie, but keep it in a very safe place a little closer to you and completely within sight.

    P.S. When I read the initial question before opening the page, I thought it was going to be about an evil psychic hermit crab who sneaks out of his shell at night to practice oneiromancy and magically conjure nightmares in your defenseless, sleeping head. IIN? lol I need help...

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  • anarchy-is-glory

    He should be in the beach... maybe you are feeling guilty because he will end up dead and not enjoying his life in your home because he does not belong there... he wont comunicate with other crabs, eat like other crabs, walk like other crabs and enjoy being a crab on the beach...

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  • KrystalRenee

    You love the little guy. :)

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  • Pokemon_rok569

    I had those thoughts when I got my guinea pig, I had dreams of her cage falling almost EVERY NIGHT!!! R.I.P Pudding

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  • I get this with my tarantula! This is why I don't think I'll get another one. They're so fragile and the slightest wrong movement it seems could kill them. It makes you paranoid. I've had nightmares about accidentally stepping on it, and I feel your pain.

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  • paaaandora

    I've experienced the same thing! I recently bought a pug in the last year and I couldn't stop thinking about horrible things happening to her! It's beyond disturbing for me and I can't sleep either. I also think it might be a disorder because I used to constantly check on her during the night or bring her into the bedroom with me. It's not normal to have these thoughts but I feel a little bit better knowing there are other people with the same problem.

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  • psycstudent

    you poor darling, it must be awful having those thoughts. It sounds like you are suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder and I am guessing the more you try to put the thoughts out of your mind the worse they get. Touching your feet is a compulsion that relieves anxiety. I don't know if you can access a psychologist, maybe try researching obsessive compulsive thoughts on the net. You may be able to find some online advice on how to overcome these intrusive thoughts that are making you feel bad and have bed dreams.

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  • noid

    Sounds like anxiety or OCD to me. If it doesn't ease on its own, there is treatment for that.

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  • LilLadyxxx

    Don't hurt the lil guy. Look for someone who can help you figure out why you feel this way. This isnt anything online entities can really help you with.

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  • Hahaaaaaahhhhhh ever since I got my pet crab Ive been havin badddd thoughts hahaahhahaa

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  • Alaxett

    Why do people always want to hurt innocent living being? That freak me out... go get a vemonous snake if that help. *sarcasm*

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  • themancan

    YOU SAID ABOUT AN ORNAMENT MABY YOU HAD IT WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER AND YOU ARE AFRIAD IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN

    MY ADVICE IS TO THINK BACK AS HARD AS YOU CAN FIGURE OUT WATE IT IS AND THAT WILL RELIFE YOU

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