An Interesting Pair

Roxie is a sweetie, and like Hardy, seems to be perfect for me. But we make an interesting pair. She is scared of practically everything, including me when I move too quickly, and I’m scared of big, tan colored, shorthaired dogs. She makes me take her outside, because I have to make sure she is potty trained, and I make her go with me just about everywhere, both on foot and in the car.

We took a road trip to Santa Cruz yesterday so she could meet my son. She really liked him, and vice versa. Once there, I realized that I needed to get an identification tag for Roxie, but I didn’t want to go to the pet store alone. I asked my son to join me but life got in the way. Unfortunately, he needed to take an important online test for school, so I braved the errand alone.

Roxie Gets an ID Tag

 Roxie was excited to go inside the pet store. She sniffed the air as we walked toward it. This was something I’d rarely seen her do. I was encouraged, and distracted from the daunting task before me. Once inside, I selected the dog tag, and feeling strong, I decided to walk around the store to see if I could find some delicious dog treats (sometimes Roxie is so scared she won’t even eat a treat).

Then it happened. There was a short haired, tan colored, pit mix slowly coming our way. Its eyes were locked on Roxie. My heart began pulsating, I started breathing fast, and I lost awareness of my feet. I turned my back to the dog and its owner so I wouldn’t have to see it any longer. I closed my eyes and held my breath, as they quietly walked by us. Roxie darted out from under me towards the dog, and I had to turn and yank her back. My panic attack stopped immediately, as I focused on Roxie. I knew then that we did NOT have the same fears!

But I learned a valuable lesson. It didn’t come to me right away. In fact, it wasn’t until the next day. When the dog attacked Hardy and me, it was off leash. Everything happened very fast, and the dog seemed agitated and out of it’s mind. The dog in the pet store, was on leash, moved slowly, and seemed completely calm and naturally curious. I remembered something my psychiatrist told me in our last session. Dogs who go inside stores (she said dog parks) are there because their owners are fairly certain they won’t cause a scene or get violent. They are good dogs.

Still, the experience was unnerving. I would have had a full blown panic attack, if it wasn’t for Roxie, but by the time I got home, I didn’t feel the need to take the anxiety medication. Instead, I decided to relax with her, and after about an hour of resting indoors, my body felt back to normal. That’s something about Roxie that is absolutely perfect for me. She is excellent at sitting by my side and relaxing. That’s what I call a true therapy dog!