NLD and Responsibility

Today I want to talk to you about a very special member of my dog, Truffles, and how she helped me become more responsible in my life. I also want to talk about how responsibility relates to NLD: it can help you feel more independent, confident, and in this case, how having a dog can help you with expressing emotions better.

I’ll be talking in her voice and my voice in the podcast. This is her voice.”Hi everyone, I’m here to make my debut!” This is my voice “Do you want to tell them how we got you Truffles?” “Yes, mommy.”

“So let’s go back to October of 2010, my mom was sick when she saw Truffles pictures, and by this point, she had already asked me if I wanted a dog. I remember asking, "What kind of question is that?” “Then it was a rainy Friday when we went to go look for Truffles and when I saw her I said she was too hipper.” 

(Truffles) “I was thinking oh great this is not my day to be picked they better give me a bath so I calm down and somebody takes me home with them.” 

“They gave her a bath and she calmed down while my parents and I were talking about whether or not to get or to look somewhere else.” 

We decided to get her. On the way home, she threw up on my favorite jacket that used to be my brother’s. I remember what it was like to create a train and potty train her. My mom and I would take turns in sleep on the couch for a week or two until she got trained to hold it overnight. Eventually, one night after taking her out I left the door open to the crate, and then she jumped up into my bed.

(Truffles) “I remember that too mommy it was so much nicer to sleep with than in that tight box. Thank you for doing that mommy.” You’re welcome and now you sleep with me or my parents. 

I remember walking you and buying toys for you. I remember waiting to figure out how to get you up at college with me. 

(Truffles) “I remember those years too mommy and wondering where you were and waiting for you to come home each month. And then you go back. How long did we do that, Mommy?”

Two and half years! Then for the last year and half of college, I had you with me. 

(Truffles) “I remember walking to class with mommy and meeting your friends and professors.” 

I remember asking my professors if I could have you in class with me. I told them you were my ESA which was true and that you would be very quiet also. 

(Truffles) “Yes, I was a good girl mommy. I loved getting attention from your classmates and friends.” 

I know they loved you too. So did my professors, especially Alex and Michael. 

(Truffles) “yes, I miss those people, mommy. Will we ever see them again?”

Maybe Truffles you never know. I loved having you with me up there and walking you on the fire trails. 

(Truffles) “I remember all those smells on the trails, Mommy. How many miles did we walk?” 

Usually 4 or 6. 

(Truffles) “That's a lot for my little legs.”

Truffles should tell them about how weird you are with all the nicknames and how many different animals you act like. 

(Truffles) “Who me not me mommy, that’s my alter ego Tumorah.” 

See you just said one of the names and also that you have an alter ego that proves you're at least a little weird. 

(Truffles) “Oh oops.” 

You act like a cat when you jump high and lay on top of the couch cushions. You act like a bird when you want to curl up in a ball in between your legs like it’s a nest. You would never know it but sometimes Truffles is with me when I’m recording my podcast and I tell her to be very quiet so she doesn’t mess up the recording.

(Truffles) “I’m a good little girl when I want to be, mommy.”

Yes, you are. I think it’s adorable how you always wait for me when I stop to do something on the way to my bedroom at night. I didn’t train you to do that. You trained yourself. Also when you beg for attention by pawing your leg so we will pet you. You also do that when you’re lying on your belly. You want it to be petted and you paw at the air. I didn’t train you to do that either. You trained yourself. 

Taking care of a dog is a good amount of responsibility. I remember one night you started to throw up and wouldn’t stop. I slept on the tile floor in the kitchen with you because it was easier to clean up. Then once you had stopped for many hours we moved to the couch with a towel under you. We never find out why you threw up so much that night. This relates to NLD because when I feel more responsible it makes me feel more independent. 

I also remember pepper-spraying a dog so it wouldn’t attack you when you were up at college with me. And it worked. 

(Truffles) “Thank you for always taking care of me and protecting me, Mommy.” 

You’re welcome, Truffles. Having a dog can also help you with regulating and expressing emotions because Truffles is forever licking my face when I cry and can’t stop. She also helps me feel better simply by petting, playing with, or snuggling with her. You act like a puppy when we bust you by making a mistake or doing something bad by showing your puppy dog eyes. 

(Truffles) “I thought I was still a puppy, Mommy.” 

Not by age but in my eyes, you will always be my puppy, Truffles. 

(Truffles) “awe I love you, mommy.” 

Love you too, Truffs. 

As I wrap Truffles, I would like to hear from the audience to see how your pets help you with expressing and regulating emotions, being more confident, and independent. As always please comment on this episode on livingwithnld.com or on youtube. Or email me at livingwithnld@gmail.com with your answer to the question thank you. Hope you learned something new today and talk to you next Friday.