So there was lots of other stuff in the dream but this one seems significant and I don't want to write something too long explaining lots of the dream. It was a dream with my dad in who I haven't seen for 11 years or so and am soon going to see. He was jovial and seeking a good time in the dream. It was in the house he lived in when I was young and would go and visit him but it was with our current levels of maturity.

One part of the dream he had a pet alligator that was short and wide like those small ones are. It was slightly slimy and edging toward me seeking me to pet it the same way a dog would. I don't have much experience with alligators so I preferred to feel it out slowly rather then start treating it like I would a dog. I did want to pet it I just was unsure of how alligators behave and what idiosyncrasies they have so backed away as it edged toward me seeking love like animals do when they've been domesticated.

Note he lives in Australia where those animal are in the wild and in zoos.

My dad found a reason to go upstairs which was messy and littered with dirty clothes. I was eager not to be left in the room with the alligator so hopped up stairs and got some attitude from my dad about not inviting my self through the house.

Maybe you associate your father as an allligator, I note that it was a pet which would mean unconditional love.  You say a lot of negative things or use negative tone when describing the alligator, would it be safe to assume that it's your own feelings towards your father?  Allligators have a reputation of hurting someone without a second thought and being unapologic, I wonder if that is your fathers trait?

If the alligator is somewhat a representation of your father, then he is trying to approach you for love the way an animal would, but your reaction is of being wary towards it.

Is your father caught up in perfection?  Does he feel disappointment towards you?  Does he judge you?

I thought I'd leave out some history and see what you can pick out. Your touching on some of the reasons why I haven't seen him for so long. Most of my family won't even talk to him. I've only talked to him through email recently and he sounds encouraging and has sent me support. I can fogive him for the past give him a chance to show me how he has grown.

I blocked out a lot of bad memories of him which is probably why I can talk to him and feel okay going to see him. I was the youngest so had an easier time blocking memories out. My older brother and mum want nothing to do with him.

I read the other day in a dream dictionary that alligators can give fake tears and seem nice just as a disguise before attacking. It's not that I had a negative attitude about the alligator it's just that with an animal that I am not familiar with I do not know what to expect.

My mum said my dads good at sounding good in short bursts, and my brother agrees but I tend to have a good read of people and feel that he is just happy to be in touch again.

Cool.

Another thing, "My dad found a reason to go upstairs which was messy and littered with dirty clothes."

Higher up the house is spiritually, you find it messy and littered with self-expression (clothes).  I didn't know what the clothes were, after looking through the internet, it seems common that clothes is self expression, I've no idea how accurate this is, and would greatly welcome an opinion on this one so that I can remember that one if I come across another dream that has clothes in it.

You've blocked out most memories and are forgiving of his past, in the dream you're wary or maybe it's telling you to be wary.  

Good luck, families are trying at times!

JJ

Trying to decipher the later half of the dream in which you dreamt your Father going upstairs. i think this presages a good message. You may get some power and status.
Soiled clothes means Venus + Saturn, which may mean it is time to bring back the romance in relationship. Try to find time off your busy schedule for the special person in your life.

Feedbacks are important for me to know the mistakes in my interpretations as also to boost my confidence.
vivek