I’m in my feels a little bit, so I’m going to write a post about my ESA.
I got my emotional support dog because I have chronic anxiety and a history of depression. My anxiety sometimes gets so debilitating that my therapist has described it as bordering on agoraphobic. So anyway, I was preparing for this drastic change in my life, and I didn’t think I could do it alone. And my pets have always been the greatest help to me when I was growing up, so this was just a logical step.
I thought I was going to get a dog who would prevent me from having panic attacks, calm me down when I have one, and stop me from compulsively picking at my skin. And he does all of those things.
But I had no idea what I was signing up for.
I had no idea how much he would change my life. I have so much confidence now, because as long as he is by my side, everything is okay. My general anxiety about anything and everything is way down. Thinkin FMabkut him and what he needs leaves me no space to worry about the irrational things that usually fill my mind. I enjoy being active, which hasn’t happened since my depressive episode four years ago. At night, laying in bed, when normally my thoughts would be racing and I couldn’t get to sleep for hours, I can breathe and sleep easy because he is there next to me.
His behavior around other people has made me feel more confident about my gut feelings about them. His needs (particularly his desire to go to bed early) have made me realize that it’s okay to have boundaries with the people around me. The way he leans on me and the way I lean on him make me feel like everything is okay.
When I was getting an ESA, I was not prepared for this little guy to steal my heart and hold it in his paws. I was not prepared for the love I would feel that is sometimes so overwhelming I can’t breathe. I was not prepared for him to bring out the best in me, and make me want to be a better person.
I know so many people think that having close bonds with animals is weird, but I don’t know if I could have survived this hard time without Pipper. He is the most amazing creature I have ever met.
Pipper, I don’t know if I can ever express to you how much you mean to me, but I love you so much little man. You are the best boy
