No Judgment, Just Love

First, a little back story:  I am not an animal person, never have been.  I don’t hate animals, I just don’t think of them as equal to people.  Until last month, I had never let an animal lick me on the face, and I’d never kissed an animal.  That said…

My 17-year-old daughter E. has Rheumatoid Arthritis.  She is a member of an online support group for women with RA.  Many of these women have therapy animals, and have found them to be a great benefit in dealing with both emotional and physical pain.  Because of this, E. decided she wanted to get a small dog for herself.  We did some research, spoke with her doctor and the caretaker at the local shelter, and decided to do it.  The shelter didn’t have any suitable animals at the time, so we asked the caretaker to please let us know if any came in.  The next day, he called, and we went to see what he had.  He had two adorable little puppies available, just 8 weeks old.  Their mama is a Jack Russell/Rat Terrier, and their papa is a Chihuahua.  We each held a puppy, and the most amazing thing happened.

I kissed my puppy!  And then it licked my face, and I didn’t freak out!!  E. was holding one puppy, and I was holding the other.  Our intent was to decide which of the two puppies we would take home for her as her therapy dog.  But I just couldn’t put my puppy down!  I couldn’t let go of her.  Inexplicably, I was in love with this dog!  Long story short, we now have two adorable puppies.  E. has Brownie, and I have Baby.  

Brownie is the brown and white, and Baby is the black and white.  They are already doing wonders for both of us.  When I hold Baby, my anxiety level drops to practically nothing, and when she runs and jumps into my lap I just feel joy.  She loves to have her tummy rubbed, and she’ll lay on her back in my arms, just like a baby, while I rub her tummy.  Then she snuggles with me for a while, then runs off to play with her sister.

Brownie has also been a great help for E.  Before we got the dogs, E. spent all her time on the computer in her room, and had panic attacks at the mere thought of sleeping somewhere other than her bed.  Going camping as a family? Not gonna happen.  But now, while she still is not thrilled with the idea, she no longer has panic attacks over it.  She also spends time playing with both dogs, taking them for walks, feeding them, etc.  She is coming out of her shell a bit, and it’s wonderful to watch.  Brownie and Baby are now loved members of our family.

Some dogs guide the blind, others alert the deaf.  Ours comfort us when we are down, and snuggle when we’re hurting.  Somehow, they know when and how they are needed, and they are there.  No questions, no judgment, just love.