Kiss Paw-Dentist Fears Away

Have you been to the dentist lately? It’s definitely not a trip to the park. And yet, a big part of my story and transformational journey started due to a dental emergency. In fact, in less than two years I survived three lengthy dental surgeries.

It all started four years ago when I developed separation anxiety.

Back then mom was going through tough emotional and financial times, which led to a lot of stress and depression for her. Her mind and energy were mostly focused on finding a new home for us, since we had to move from the home we shared with her ex-partner. Hooman relationships can sometimes be so dramatic and complicated. Can anyone relate?

In the midst of all this, I started to also experience stress and anxiety. Moving and constant unexpected changes make me feel uncomfortable. For years I was fine staying home alone while mommy went to work but I think the constant changes in my environment combined with the tense energy of the situation caused my nervous system to act out. I tried my best to be a good dog but to my misfortune I wasn’t able to control the panic attacks I got every time mom left me at home. Suddenly, without realizing it, I would start panting, trembling and chewing everything I found around the house. I don’t know why but I developed a taste for metal, and I’m not talking about music. I chewed on everything metallic, from mommy’s bike, to the door stops, even my crate! Anything I could find in the house that tasted like metal was chewed by me unconsciously.

Of course, as you can imagine, this added to the stress my mom experienced every time she came home to find the house destroyed. It became worse when she realized that I broke some of my teeth in my desperate attempt to find a release to my anxiety. I didn’t know how to explain to my mom that I truly didn’t want for this to continue and that I also didn’t know how to control it.