My rock-eating, terribly anxious, terrified-I will-get-out-of-her-sight baby is now on Prozac. It will take awhile to build up in her system. But I am hoping it helps her.
It’s okay, Abs, Mom takes Effexor. And it helps me. And if it will make you feel better, I will stamp the words: “So what, I take Effexor” on my forehead. Because I would do anything for you. Anything to ease what ails you.
Charlie has his own demons to fight. He has a phobia of flying or jumping insects. Remember the post when I was in the wheelchair and rolling all over the kitchen trying to catch the cricket before he caught wind of the situation. (I did catch it and put it outside too.)
Charlie spends much of his day, when he isn’t on guard at the windows or in the chair with me at the computer, underneath blankets or anything he can hide under. You can wonder where he is, but rather than disturb him, I just walk about the house looking for little “lumps” that could be him.
But he is much more easy going than his sister. You can see it in his eyes.
I thought when I moved here, she would get better. But she soon began to start barking and wailing when the phone rang. I try to talk on the phone while trying to catch Abi so I can hold her and talk for a few minutes. I’m sure whoever is on the other end wonders what on earth is going on.
She alludes me by running all over the house, just out of reach, barking so loud I cannot hear the other person. It is an ongoing battle.
I tell myself: She watched me cry after a lot of phone calls. It has affected her so deeply she can’t get it out of her doggy mind. She continually sniffs the corners of my eyes to see if there are tears there. They aren’t there very much anymore. But Abi does or will not forget.
It’s been a tough couple of years. Don’t think your pets don’t feel it right along with you.
And as their mother, you worry. You wonder what you did wrong. What you should have done that you didn’t do to protect them. You blame yourself.
From the intensity of her reactions, Charlie has learned them too. I don’t know if he knows what he’s reacting to. But he barks and wails right along with her at times. Maybe because he doesn’t want her to feel alone in her misery.
I wonder what she sees when she’s looking out there so intently. Is it just a neighbor’s cat or someone walking a dog? Or it is something she remembers that she can’t shake? Can dogs do that, do you think?
I am in it for the long haul, guys. If you hurt, I hurt right along with you. I will shield you from pain when I can. And get you help when I can’t.
Because that’s just what Moms do.
You’re a great dogmother, that’s for sure, Brenda.
Your babies are precious, Brenda! There is no doubt in my mind that they feel things and can be heart-broken just like we can. Love to you, Abi, and Charlie…
Whatever it takes! Best friends must be catered to and kept happy.
Love your bed; that quilt is so cheerfully Christmas!
Do you walk them? That has helped my dog a great deal!
Poor fur babies. I know the vet told me that birds have a memory span of about six months. I don’t know about dogs. I am sure they would remember something hurtful to them for a longer time. My one bird doesn’t want to let go of something, either. The dogs might need to get more exercise or something like that. Hope the pills help. xo
Ah, Brenda . . . I can relate on SO MANY levels . . . I’m on Paxil and thank God for it!!! I have accepted that our pets become neurotic as a result of living with us . . . sadly. We have “rescue pets” and, with time and love, they become so much happier and relaxed, but they also develop almost inexplicable fears. Our two cats are so very loving and relaxed with my husband and I, but they disappear whenever company arrives. Sigh . . . love my “fur family,” but they have their issues, just as my hubby and I have our issues. “We are family”. Loved your post, Brenda.
Hugs to you and your sweet puppies.
Poor Abi! But maybe this will help her and make her days less stressful. I know she feels things deeply and probably has separation anxiety, etc. This just might do the trick.
Brenda,
Hali
I don’t know if you’ve heard of a Thunder Shirt, but it’s good for anxious dogs beyond loud noises, thunder, etc. It’s based on Temple Grandin’s research about how animals like to feel pressure around their bodies; it helps to calm them. Also, SAMe (you can read reviews on Amazon) is a natural alternative to Prozac & has been effective for depression, as well as arthritis, inflammation, etc. It may be more cost effective than Prozac, but you can’t be taking any other SSRI’s with it. Wishing you & your doggie-family all the BEST!
We had a Yorkie-poo who had a similar disposition. I think part of it is just the nature of Yorkies, but I hope your doggie feels better on her meds. My mother’s Yorkie-poo is obsessed with squirrels and afraid of flying insects, too. And barks at the moon. :@
Brenda, well, this is going to help Abi, gosh darn it. I’m glad she has Charlie to keep her company. We’ve got to get it so you can talk on the phone!
My Connor is like that… He’s a terrier mix, a rescue that I adopted when he was just 5 months old going on 6 years ago. We lived with my ex for quite some time as he turned into an increasingly violent alcoholic. A year ago, I left him. However, ever since then Connor does not like any man around his mommy that he doesn’t know. He gets very angry and growling if a man he doesn’t know gets near me, he’s gone as far as to chase off strangers that surprised him. He also gets huffy if a male he does know preforms a mannerism that he associates with my ex. And the ruckus if he sees me crying! He’s my baby and he takes care of his mommy!
Dogs are extremely empathic creatures and they do remember perhaps better than we’d like them to at times. Combine that with their own unique personalities and they can have fears, curiosity, quirks just like any human. You’ve shown time and time again that you’re an excellent momma! Shows like Abi is just expressing part of Abi! 
Good luck to you and your fur-babies!
I hope the meds help your little dog. Don’t you wish they could speak with words so they could tell us what is going on with them. My little Fuzzy pom gets on my lap and sniffs my eyes if he suspects that I am about to cry. If he suspects I am coming down with a cold, he is constantly getting up on my lap and checking my eyes, nose, and breath. There have been many times in the last nearly 7 years he started doing this before I started feeling any symptoms. Then he started doing this annoying running along licking my ankles as I would be walking, just by coincidince, I tested my blood sugar right after one of these crazy licking sessions and discovered that my blood sugar levels were pretty high. Since then I have checked my readings when he does this, and sure enough, this is something he does when my blood sugar is up. They sense so many things that are on such a wider range of senses than even occurs to us. Fuzzy is sensitive to words. If I cuss, not at him, but at minor things, like a burned finger, broken dish, etc., he leaves the room. I am having to clean up my language. They love us unconditionally, and do all they can for us and we try to do all we can for them.They are worth it.
Gotta take car of our fur babies! I hope this will help him <3 .
xx
Anne
You are a great Mom to your sweet little puppies and they are lucky to have you!
Poor little fellow hope it helps.
Merle……
They give unconditional love – and if we are good parents, we give it right back to them! I have a baby who loves me but only barely tolerates my hubby and daughter. I got her from a breeder at 6 months…I’ve always wondered what happened to her in those first 6 months. I will never know; she brings stresses to the family – but I chose her and I cannot turn my back on her. I continue to love her…unconditionally. And she returns it to me one hundred times over. I see someone above has mentioned the Thunder Shirt. I HIGHLY recommend giving it a try. There is something about being wrapped in a form fitting shirt that lends a sense of security (or they’ll each rip it off of the other one). ha ha Whatever, your babies are adorable and, clearly, very in tune with you…and that is love of the deepest kind.
I can relate…unfortunately. We have a very cute Jack Russell. Yes I know all about Jack Russell’s but she’s even over the top for a JR. We found out about a wonderful woman that runs a kennel and training school for dogs. She has a beautiful farm and has been involved with animals her entire life. She loves animals and has MANY but one thing I did learn was she controls the animals with firm love so all stay calm. The first time I took my dog I said oh no she’s going to have all the dogs barking. She said OH no, we will stop that. She now knows our JR well and has said you’re not going to change her personality you have to learn how to deal with it. When things get testy…often everyday…we have a collar we put on her. When she gets stressed and starts barking it sprays citronella then she stops. It nips it in the bud before she goes berserk. It’s like she feeds off the fear and this stops That. It’s been approved by PETA. I really don’t want to drug her up, well I’d like to drug her up and myself when she goes off but this has changed our lives!!! I highly recommend you look into the collar. She’s still feisty but not out of control. She even comes to me when she knows she needs to get a grip. These pets are pretty darn smart.
Kathy
I’ve not commented since you changed websites. I don’t know if this will go through, but I have to tell you how much I love you posts. You are a really good doggy mom. They are two lucky pups. Bonnie
AH well I hope the Prozac helps
As to staring at things outside intently…I have two big dogs and one cat. The cat is always at the window…alot of times she is watching birds or squirrels but sometimes she is just staring….and there is nothing there that I can see ! So who knows 
Your little dogs are so sweet and cute, Brenda, and you are a good mama for them ….who could not love them to pieces
Oh Brenda I am so sorry to hear of their troubles. I know you will do your best for them. The ending to your post was so sweet. Thanks for sharing them and your sweet heart.
Blessings,
Sherry
Oh, Brenda, I hope and pray that this helps little Abi. I know you would do anything in the world to protect your pups, and they know it, too.
Thinking of all of you and praying for good results for Abi’s health.
XO,
Sheila
You’re a good mom Brenda and your doggies know it! Hoping Abi feels better soon!
Xo,
Charlotte T
I’m so sorry Abi had to go on medication. Hopefully soon, it wont be needed. Until then I know you’ll do whats required .
You are such a caring and sweet Mama to those puppies Brenda.
I’m right there with you Brenda! Toby is on Prednisone for the deteriorating disks in his back, whatever it takes to keep them happy! Your guys are such cuties!
I hope it helps Abi, Brenda. We would do anything for them. We do hurt when they hurt. Our Penelope is struggling but we’re not giving up.
Awww, poor babies. Well hopefully Abi will sense the new peace and calm, and won’t need it for very long.
Hi Brenda..I am praying for your little baby to get better and soon!!shes such a little sweetheart who loves her mommy!!! I hope her new medicine does thr trick!! Love ya! Carol
So hoping that the meds will help Abi to feel better. I know that it hurts us when our fur babies are hurting. I think they worry about us as much as we worry about them.
hugs,
Cindy
Our Cairn Terrier goes on barking binges if he sees a squirrel outside.. makes us crazy. And sometimes he acts as if there is a ghost on the ceiling.. looking up and twisting his head back and forth. But we love him dearly. I’m glad your little fur kids have you.. lucky they are.
((hugs)), Teresa
I have a friend who has her cat on prozac and it has really helped him. Hoping the same for your Abi. And I’ve been down that road too- with success. Wishing you the best!
-Faith
Dogs are little and not so little loves. I have a precious Pom. A rescued dog and he is my constant watchdog. He does have fears formed before I found him that I cannot understand, but so do I and I do not ask him to explain them to me. We have been given dominion over the beasts of this world and that means we must care for them to the best of our ability. No question you are caring for your fur babies and they know this. God bless you and your loves.
This post made me cry. I understand.
My cancer diagnosis came at a time when my big girl, a husky/collie mix, was at the end of her life. Horrible arthritis in her hips, so much pain. I remember just holding her and telling her she couldn’t go till I finished my treatments.
Chemo kicked my butt and she was right next to me, just being there. She knew how sick I was and that she had to “take care” of me. She got me thru chemo and half my radiation before it was “time.” I couldn’t let go and honestly, had her with me for longer than I should have. My own selfishness of needing her there to help me deal with my cancer, not able to let her pass, even when she lost control of her bowels. Her last day was the worst and I cry every time I think of her.I had to let her go but I know she’s waiting for me in Heaven. We do for those we love, even our furry loved ones.
Oh Brenda I am on Effexor xr also. In fact I remember telling you about it. It does help. My 11 year old Maltese has got me up all night. Wanting to eat at 2 am and go in and out and barking for treats most of the night. I’m about to go crazy. Taking her to the vet soon for her yearly check up. Hope they have an idea of what is going on with her. Happy Christmas.
Brenda I know exactly how you feel….by boy Dubh (Scottish Terrier) is afraid of EVERYTHING. If something is out of place or different he freaks out and runs away and hides or will just stand there and bark. You have to constantly reassure him that everything is ok….it’s exhausting at times. Case in point I went this summer and got a pedicure and when I came home he kept looking at my feet and wouldn’t come near me for awhile…until I sat still and he could come and check out my feet….LOL They are special and yes we would do anything for our fur babies!!
I had the same problems with my dogs. Meds helped a little. I noticed a big difference when I took them for walks. We take three short walks every day and it is like I have new dogs.
You take such good care of them and they can feel all of your love. I hope this helps her to calm down and feel better and that it helps to relieve the stress that you feel for her.
Hugs,
Laura
Well, let me chime it too!
I’m on effexor also.
Whoever invented this stuff, I thank you.
Hope the prozac works for the pup!
MO
Oh Brenda our fur babies are so important to us! Tell Abi I take Prozac also and have for years and it does help!!! Big hugs to you and your sweet doggies. Linda
Brenda, you are one special momma and I know your little sweet doggies love you. I hope you are recuperating more each day and that your doggies get better.
Thoughts, prayers, and hugs to all of you.
Take care.
Emily
Well it seems that nowadays everyone is on something! My husband takes what you’re taking, btw. He recently started it and I can tell a world of difference! I take something different and have been on something for over 15 yrs! It’s no wonder that dogs need it too sometimes. Glad to know that your dog is getting helped. They sure are sweet!
Well, bless your heart, Brenda. Most dogs and cats are pretty sensitive to their owner’s emotions, but you truly can’t blame yourself. You were going through so much, they couldn’t help but feel your pain, but you couldn’t prevent that. I’m so glad you found something that most probably will work for your baby. Many, many people (& probably pets, too) take prozac and it has worked miracles. You are a good Momma!
very good and cool,thank you for your sharing.