Jennifer & Bella
It is hard to put into words the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that take over when your mind and body become stressed, anxious, or frightened. It is debilitating when everyday life requires your participation but you can no longer handle the physical and sensory overload that everyday life brings. How do you explain to someone the amount of trust, that you do not have, and the fortitude, that has been stolen from you, that it takes just to step out your front door. There will be vulnerability, there will be strangers, there will be noises, there will be reminders, there will be danger, there will be hostiles, there will be assault, there will be pain, there will be a heavy price to pay taking that step no matter how small. It is all consuming and never ending and it comes at you from all angles, it overtakes you at the worst moments, it is exhausting, and even sleep grants you no peace. Then you are given a gift, a sweet face, a loving heart, a warm friend to talk to, ground you, stay by your side. They offer the solace you can concentrate on when so much else threatens to invade. They are the physical manifestation of joy. They are funny, and messy, cute and gentle, and they love your tragic side unconditionally. My Bella is the constant in my life that I so desperately needed. Thank You Soldier’s Best Friend and my trainer Jamie for making those small steps I take everyday less costly.
