[yorkietalkjilly]

I have a phobia of snakes! Used to I couldn't even open a book with a picture of one in it without getting so grossed out & repulsed, let alone see one on TV & the occas. garden snake would creep me out & send me flying. I could however tolerate the fake snakes you see in the stores & such without freaking out as my sister does. She can't even walk down the aisle of a store with fake snakes. I can walk into a pet store & up to the snake tanks - not Sis! But with big screen TV, repeated snowing of snakes on TV & HUGE screens filled with them over time, I'm less grossed out & not so panicked at the idea that they exist. Am still phobic but I think I might could work up to touching a pet snake one day but I doubt I could EVER hold one - well, maybe one of the tiny green ones but still..........eeeeeek. But I have a phobia. My tendency is to run wildly when faced with a snake.

With spiders & mice, things like that, I fear them but am not phobic - won't do irrational things to get away from one. I could hold a spider and yuck, probably a white mouse with time and not be terrified beyond belief. Hopefully, your nephew just has a fear and not phobia with dogs. Phobics tend to bolt the moment the thing they fear enters the room. If he didn't run like a maniac from the room when the dog came in, he's probably fearful & not phobic & can be helped over time. I hope so. Dogs have so much love to give.