Need housing, please help. I am real and can prove it.

[Metlakatla]

It's pretty tough, Jazzy. Alaska is somewhat of a transient state, with all the seasonal workers and those who come up thinking they will make a life here and then deciding differently a few months down the road. The shelter in Fairbanks fills up every spring with unwanted sled dogs.

Personally I have no problem with cats--I look at it like this....in another post, Stiffnecked, who has anger issues, posted that landlords won't rent to people with cats because of the damage to the carpets etc. potentially involved. I don't think that Stiff has ever actually been a landlord but..that's beside the point. Anyway...the type of tenant who is going to let the place get trashed because of improper care of animals is the type of tenant who is going to trash it no matter what. Slobs are slobs. I'd rather have a responsible person with seven cats than an irresponsible person with no pets.

But so often in Alaska, and I guess other places as well, people who have just moved up make impulsive decisions to move back to wherever home is. Often they leave their pets behind and it's a heartbreaking situation for a landlord who loves animals to be in.

[LittleJazzyP]

Do you see now why I preferred to discuss the specifics about numbers in the course of a conversation? We've talked a little, and I have had a chance to present myself as a responsible pet owned instead of just some random whack job with too many cats. I appreciate the fact that you were willing to listen and really hear what I said.

I think I understand what you mean about Alaska being transient. I see WAY more furnished rentals here than I have anywhere else, which suggests to me that a lot of people arrive traveling light, and perhaps with no real intention to stay.

I intend to stay. I didn't come to make a fortune; surely any financial benefits are offset by the high cost of living here. I came to be near someone I love. The past three years have been the worst of my life, as I lost my father, and just over two years later, my mother. She had Alzheimer's, and I took care of her by myself until it became clear to me that it was no longer safe for me to do so. I literally could not leave the house during the last few months, or even sleep without worrying that she would decide to take a walk alone in the middle of the night. I could not work during those few years, so my credit is trashed. A black mark against me as a tenant, at most corporately owned rentals? Sure. Proof that I am irresponsible or a bad person? I sure as hell hope not. I was taking care of my family, I can rebuild my credit rating later.

I became terribly depressed since my mother's death, and wanted to make a fresh start somewhere. I picked Anchorage because my best friend lives here. I have no siblings, I have no real ties anywhere, other than those of friendship. My pets are literally the only family I have, and I would never abandon them. That is why I was willing to sleep in a shed/playhouse.

/rant.

Critics, judge away.

[gobrien]

Hoping your life gets better now, sometimes it takes a while for things to improve. Glad you have a friend. I'm an only child too so I know how that goes.

[LittleJazzyP]

Things are slowly improving, thanks. Yeah, the only child thing is hard, especially when you find yourself in the role of caregiver and trying to do it alone. There are social service agencies to help, but they are no replacement for family.

[Metlakatla]

Originally Posted by LittleJazzyP

Do you see now why I preferred to discuss the specifics about numbers in the course of a conversation? We've talked a little, and I have had a chance to present myself as a responsible pet owned instead of just some random whack job with too many cats. I appreciate the fact that you were willing to listen and really hear what I said.

I think I understand what you mean about Alaska being transient. I see WAY more furnished rentals here than I have anywhere else, which suggests to me that a lot of people arrive traveling light, and perhaps with no real intention to stay.

I intend to stay. I didn't come to make a fortune; surely any financial benefits are offset by the high cost of living here. I came to be near someone I love. The past three years have been the worst of my life, as I lost my father, and just over two years later, my mother. She had Alzheimer's, and I took care of her by myself until it became clear to me that it was no longer safe for me to do so. I literally could not leave the house during the last few months, or even sleep without worrying that she would decide to take a walk alone in the middle of the night. I could not work during those few years, so my credit is trashed. A black mark against me as a tenant, at most corporately owned rentals? Sure. Proof that I am irresponsible or a bad person? I sure as hell hope not. I was taking care of my family, I can rebuild my credit rating later.

I became terribly depressed since my mother's death, and wanted to make a fresh start somewhere. I picked Anchorage because my best friend lives here. I have no siblings, I have no real ties anywhere, other than those of friendship. My pets are literally the only family I have, and I would never abandon them. That is why I was willing to sleep in a shed/playhouse.

/rant.

Critics, judge away.

Can't fault you at all for any of this. Good for you for sticking up for your furry pals rather than dumping them in a shelter or worse.