This post was originally posted on Blogger January 13, 2025.
This post was originally posted on Blogger September 4, 2024.
“Be the person your dog thinks you are.” -C.J. Frick
Like many dog or cat owners, my dogs are a BIG part of my life. We have more than we intended, but that aside, Gracie, Koa, and 2 of Koa’s puppies, Jimmy and Apollo, are an integral part of my mental health and emotional wellbeing. Their loving comfort and affection on my bad days make my bad days a little less bad. Each one of them comforts me in their own way and I have a strong bond with each of them.
We had a dog growing up. While I loved our dog, and was sad when she passed, it wasn’t until I owned my own dog, and bonded with that dog as an adult and as the owner, that I truly felt the emotional value that having a pet brings. I never knew how much love one could have for an animal. I felt that love immediately when we got our first dog, Gracie, a black and white miniature schnauzer/miniature poodle mix with white eyebrows, called a “Schnoodle”, in 2017. It was right after we moved here that Gracie joined our family.
Gracie stole my heart right away. At just 2lbs when she came to us, she was a tiny firecracker with a big personality from the start. She loved to run around at lightning speed and be cuddled like a baby on your shoulders. She mastered the stairs as soon as she was big enough and we all loved bringing her to our rooms to cuddle in bed. Right from the start, she’s been a lush for belly rubs and tummy tickles, as well as head and ear scratches and rubs. She loves cuddling on the couch with her belly up with anyone willing to give her attention. But only when she wants to. When she’s had enough, she gets up and walks away. Everything is on her terms.
She’s also tough and strong despite her small frame. An example is we were surprised when we saw her jump from the floor onto the dining room table. For weeks we wondered how our stuff on the dining room table would end up on the floor with chew marks, or why food was missing. We all made sure to tuck in our chairs so she couldn’t hop up, so why is our stuff ending up on the floor, with chew marks, or eaten. I figured it out after breakfast one morning when I saw her jump from the floor and onto the table, to look around at what was on the table. We’d just had breakfast, so she was probably seeing if there was any bacon left. My little firecracker topping out at approximately 10lbs is extremely agile and skilled at jumping high and running fast. Man can she run, with her white eyebrows blowing back with the wind generated by her sheer speed. Gracie is top dog and thinks she’s the boss and that runs to the beat of her own drum. She has her routine, and loves being near what’s going on. Some of her favourite pastimes include being outside in her tent or on the big rocks, watching what’s going on, playing with our other dogs, following us around as we go about our days, and finding people’s laps to sit on. She is also skilled at hopping from furniture piece to furniture piece and loves her treats.
Getting Gracie was a true gift. She kept me company during the day, and was such a positive ray of light amidst my physical and mental pain. I could always count on her for comfort. For all our family. She gave me something positive and rewarding to focus on and gave me unconditional love and comfort when I was on my own. Paul works away from home, and the kids were in school full time, so I spent a lot of time by myself. Having Gracie around was wonderful and I didn’t feel as by myself with her company.
When she came to us as her forever home, I felt the benefits of having a pet to love and that pet loving you back immediately, and it felt nice. I kind of joked that she was my emotional support dog.
But the thing is, the comfort she provided me was no joke. Her hair is so soft, and petting her is really soothing for me. My OCD with numbers and patterns shows through when cuddling with the dogs because I pet the dogs in a repetitive pattern of motion with each motion getting done a certain number of times. I probably sound weird, but it’s one self care act of comfort that especially soothes me when I’m in a lot of pain and not doing well. Gracie turned 7 this last summer, and she is still providing that comfort to me. I wonder if animals know how much we love and need them?
In 2021 we started talking about getting a bigger dog, either a Goldendoodle or Labradoodle, and began our search. As fate would have it, myself and my bestie were having lunch at my daughter’s work and we were talking about getting another dog. They were also looking at getting another dog and we were enthusiastically talking about it. My daughter, who was waiting on us, said her boss at her work happened to have a litter of Goldendoodle puppies for sale. I immediately spoke with her boss, saw that there was only 1 golden Goldendoodle in the litter, and chose Koa based on that. Before we went home I’d sent her the deposit. A few months later my bestie had her new puppy too.
What an amazing addition to our family. Our son chose her name, and right from the start, Koa was intuitive of how I was feeling or doing. Her parents were care and service dogs, so maybe it’s in her DNA. From the time she arrived at our place, she knew that I needed gentle extra comfort. She is a big cuddler, and snuggles right in, and knows when I’m having a bad day. Koa is also a lap dog, despite her size, and gently and carefully hops up onto my lap, avoiding any direct contact with my legs while getting up to snuggle with me.
When Koa arrived, I felt an immediate bond form. Gracie was happy to have a playmate and someone to boss around and I had a dog that had an overabundance of love to give. Her and Gracie became sisters and complemented each other’s personalities. When we brought Koa home, we said that Gracie is the Little Big Sister, and Koa is the Big Little Sister. Over the last few years, Koa and I have built a special connection. She is so in tune with how I’m doing. She knows when I’m having a really hard day, and follows me around the house to look out for me, sometimes bracing beside me to stablize me if I’m wobbly. Petting Koa is also comforting, as her hair is really nice too, and she loves being brushed. The physical and mental comfort that the dogs bring me, Koa especially - you can’t place a value on that . Its positive benefits are immeasurable to me.
So, now I guess you could say that I had 2 emotional support dogs. But, last year that 2 turned into 4 after Koa became pregnant and had 12 puppies. One unsupervised visit to my bestie’s place, and Koa was pregnant.
Jimmy and Apollo are lovely puppies, who have a lot of love and joy to give. I’ve raised them since birth, and the connection I have with each of them is strong. Jimmy was the runt of the litter by quite a bit, and the one we chose. He loves being right next to me when I’m working at my desk. Apollo was a happy accident as he was the last puppy we had left to find a home, and after a few weeks he’d bonded further with us and we felt it cruel to take him away from his mom and brother, so we kept him too. When we took Koa to the vet for an ultrasound, the vet guessed there were 10 puppies. After they were born, and we told him she’d had 13, with one stillborn, he cautioned me that not all of them may survive, and not to feel bad, that it’s the laws of nature. Well, that didn’t sit right with me and I immediately started tracking which ones were eating and which ones needed to. It kicked my OCD into overdrive, and I stayed up all night their first few nights, rotating nursing puppies, finding the small ones and giving them more nipple time, and making sure each puppy was getting enough milk. I googled signs of dehydration in puppies, so I knew what to look for, and I kept at it. Hyperfocusing on the puppies all getting equal nipple time. I am happy to report that all 12 survived and thrived and became lovely dogs with big hearts. My best friend also kept one of the puppies. They turned 1 this summer and are 2 peas in a pod. Apollo is just like his mother, and loves to get up on my lap to snuggle. He’s also playful and silly and always looks like he’s smiling. He LOVES snuggling, cheek and ear rubs, and to jump up high off his back legs to see out the kitchen door window. Jimmy will get up on the couch and lay beside or partially on you snuggling, but won’t hop up on any of our laps like Koa and Apollo. Jimmy prefers to sit or lay next to you. If you are laying down on the couch, both Jimmy and Apollo will nuzzle up and cuddle in. Jimmy likes laying next to me while I work at my or desk, sitting up for head, cheek and chin rubs, and Apollo and Koa are usually in one of the recliners, coming to me for affection when they get up to wander around.
My dogs bring me such an enormous sense of comfort, with each one showing that comfort in their own way. The physical and mental benefits of this magnitude for me, are priceless. They are that valuable. My dogs provide me with companionship and elevate my mood. But, emotional support animals don’t have to be dogs. Cats are also popular, as well as horses.
Like me, many people find comfort and support from their pets, and you don’t have to have an officially trained emotional support dog, to receive the emotional benefits that one provides. Mine are not trained and I most certainly benefit from their comfort and presence.
Their presence in my life provides me with a multitude of benefits. I feel less depressed and have less anxiety. My thoughts slow down and are not as panicky, when I’m petting one of the dogs. My usually high heart rate lowers, my body begins to relax and release some tension, and my mind starts to slow down and a feeling of calm washes over me. They love it when I give them massages, cuddles and pets. Interacting and connecting with them keeps me focused on something positive. They bring about a positive energy to our home and seeing I spend most of my time by myself, I just feel less like I’m by myself.
In addition to depression, anxiety, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), I have severe medical and physical trauma Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Panic Disorder, and when I’m having an episode of racing intrusive thoughts and flashbacks, the dogs are there for me. The physical contact and comfort from my dogs help me regulate and bring me back down to a sense of calm. They react to noises of discomfort and pain I have, and come check to make sure I’m ok.
I also need to look after them. They rely on that and that takes physical effort. Along with my weekly fitness routine with Paul’s mom, and my daily walks, I am also active with the dogs. Well as active as I can be. They give me a purpose, and looking after them and interacting with them the best way I can is part of the reciprocal love and companionship that they provide me and that I also provide them. Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection, and provide a sense of security and comfort, without judgment, and their unconditional love can be very therapeutic and calming for people suffering from mental and emotional disabilities.
The quote "Be the person your dog thinks you are" by C.J. Frick rings true for me and countless others. My dogs, Gracie, Koa, Jimmy, and Apollo, have become an integral part of my life, providing unwavering companionship,love, and support. Their presence has significantly improved my mental and emotional well-being, offering a sense of comfort and purpose that I am truly grateful for.
From the moment I brought Gracie home, I experienced the profound impact that a pet can have on one's life. Her unconditional love and playful spirit provided a much-needed distraction from my personal challenges. As my family grew with the addition of Koa and her puppies, I continued to deepen my bond with these incredible animals.
Each dog has a unique personality and offers its own form of comfort. Gracie's gentle nature and love of cuddling provide a soothing presence, while Koa's intuitive understanding of my emotions and her ability to offer physical support have been invaluable. Jimmy and Apollo, with their playful and affectionate personalities, bring joy and laughter into my life.
The benefits of having emotional support animals are undeniable. They offer companionship, reduce anxiety, and provide a sense of purpose. My dogs have helped me navigate through difficult times, offering a constant source of love and support. Their presence has made a significant positive impact on my life, and I am forever grateful for their companionship.