When Lilah was a year and a half she was attacked by a big white wolfy looking dog while minding her own business walking down a pathway on her leash. She was physically uninjured but it took a serious mental toll on Lilah- and I guess me too because I think in a lot of ways, I unintentionally inhibited her healing. My anxiety fed her anxiety and we didn't have a lot of safe social opportunities to practice getting back to normal. I blamed myself thinking I must not have socialized her properly in her early days or she would have bounced back better, we tried anxiety sprays and wraps and chews but she didn't have classic anxiety she had a social issue that was different than that after being attacked. The vet didn't have much to say but, yes that's unfortunate, that happens sometimes. She had her one safe buddy and it seemed like she would never get to have a normal life again, a safe calm walk in the park like we once could have.
Well, it has been a lot of little successes leading up to this time but I just wanted to come on here and celebrate Lilahs renewed confidence and happiness. She is now three and a half and especially this last year has made huge strides, grown in leaps and bounds. We can walk through a petsmart and meet different dogs big and small- I stil ask safety questions and use reasonable caution- and she wags her little tail and sniffs politely, happy to visit with friends. I feel more confident in identifying boundaries and having practical expectations for interactions and so does she and I am just so proud of my little girl and so grateful that she gets to live a normal, joyful life despite her rough experience. Thanks for letting me share
