Is a Pet What Your Child Needs?

A little while ago I was taking guesses on my Facebook page of our big find for my son at a flea market. Lots of good guesses…and several got it right. A puppy. A super cute puppy to be exact.

Needless to say, my son was thrilled. It’s the biggest smile I’ve seen on his face in a long time. And to watch the sweet interaction between Bella (the puppy) and him brought tears to this momma’s eyes.

Bella is his dog. He’s the one taking care of her. The feeding. The walking. The cleaning up after. The taking out to the bathroom. She is his dog. It didn't take long for her to figure out who was her person. She snuggles right into him and his eyes light right up. And unknown to Bella and to him, she serves a purpose.

My son Drew is a future movie maker, empathetic, loving, incredibly intelligent, patient, creative, and has an eye to see the beautiful things in the world that others don't. Drew is also dyslexic. Over the years, his struggle with dyslexia has created some anxiety and, as he grew into adolescence, really affected his self-esteem. 

My son Drew is also strong and he is pushing through this next transition  of graduating from high school and determining what he wants to do next. Bella the puppy is going to make this journey with him. She can be there with him to calm his nerves, to love him no matter what, and he can be hers and teach her and train her to be the best Bella she can be. 

Bella hasn't had any special training to be a "real" therapy dog, but she's already made a huge impact. He is her boy. Now he's got three of us that will be there no matter what and for as long as it takes. Take that, Anxiety! 

Get ready world...Drew and Bella are about to show you the beautiful things in life!

If you can manage a pet, we've always found they have been very healing for our children. Yes, sometimes you'll have to do the feeding or the cleanup because your child's emotional age just isn't there, but the payoff is worth it. It's an investment in healing!