How my rescue dog healed me ❤️‍🩹

I adopted Shay on December 28, 2021. I adopted her on the advice of my therapist to help with my anxiety. Little did I know less than 3 months later, I’d need her more than ever.

In February of 2022, I became a part of the 97% and not to mention, I live in a small town and that’s where it occurred. So…people TALK. I couldn’t leave my house without someone asking me about my experience which was horrible to have to not only relive but also live in fear of never being looked at the same. WHEN IT WASN’T MY FAULT.

Shay & I were still establishing trust in our relationship but somehow she just knew that I was not okay. She would come lay or sit on my chest because my heart was racing so fast. She would snuggle me for hours on end just because she knew it would calm me down. I’m not sure how she knew, but she did.

What she didn’t intentionally do was force me to continue living my day to day life and press through the fear. She needs to be exercised, she needs to go outside and she needed me to be the best mom I could be to her as we navigated her trauma as well as my own.

I learned how to be an advocate for her and thorough that, an advocate for myself. I learned how much I could choose love anyway and how loved I am. I learned my worth and my value. I had something to live for and be better for, even if it was just to care for and help my dog adjust to being off of the streets. Through teaching her, I taught myself. And she loved me through the worst moments of my life.

She healed a heart she didn’t even break ❤️‍🩹

If you’re considering rescuing a dog, for any reason, do it. It’ll be the best decision you make!!

#lemon8partner #lemon8diary #rescuedog #healingmyself