HOW TO IDENTIFY YOUR CHILD’S EMOTIONAL NEED FOR A DOG

She had been asking for a dog ever since she was 3 years old. Whenever there was a dog or a puppy around, she was right there, playing, petting, hugging, feeding, taking care of it. She is my oldest, loves to take care of animals, but it was more than that... One day a few years ago, she made me promise that we would get a do by the time her younger sister turned 4. Well, as it turns out, time really does fly and 2 months before my youngest daughter’s birthday, I decided that the time was finally right. Without thinking too much I found a 1.5-year-old Maltese dog for adoption.

We brought the little doggie home and unfortunately, it was a total disaster. The dog was anxious about everyone and everything and I didn't feel safe with him in our home. My oldest daughter absolutely adored him; for her, it was a dream come true, but we couldn't keep him so we had to take a brave decision and find him a new home with a family who was more experienced in taking care of an anxious dog. Seven days after he arrived, we gave him to his new family, where we now know that he is happy and thriving.

I remember the day we gave him away. While my daughter understood why we had to give him up, she was still very sad. She told me that having a dog gave her confidence and that she felt safer and more secure with him around.

This is where my journey began, the journey of finding that the perfect dog for my family. From this moment, I spent countless hours reading, investigating, and trying to figure out what was best for us, for her. And after 2 months of working tirelessly, day and night, I found our puppy, Toni. From the day we brought Toni home, and this time to stay, my daughter started to thrive. Instead of being quiet and introverted, she started being more lively and optimistic about everything: her school, her friends, her hobbies, and her eating habits. She started exercising and her inner motivation was finally revealed. It turns out that all she needed in order to thrive emotionally, was a little puppy.

Last week, I found in my bedside drawer a note she wrote me the first night after we gave the little Maltese dog to his new family: “Dear Mom, I know you gave the dog away not because you didn't want a dog, but because he wasn’t the right match for our family. But, I really need a dog! It helps me feel secure and safe. Even if we don’t get a dog in the next few months, it’s still ok with me, as long as you promise me that we will. ” And eventually, we did... And now our family is complete.