Pets Reduce Stress? Really? Really?!

The Kong: a gift from the pet gods.

It’s been widely reported that pet ownership helps reduce stress. Hmmmm.

The first few months I had Riley were anything but stress-free. The crying (his and mine), the vet bills, the fighting, the barking, the list goes on. In the beginning, leaving my house was a painful experience for me, him and my downstairs neighbors. As I would get ready to leave, he would start whining, work up to barking, and end with growling while jumping and nipping me and throwing his body in front of the door. By the time I finally made it out the door, I would be crying (per usual) and contemplating how I could return him.

I was stressed out, man!

What the hell was I doing wrong?! My family had pets growing up, none like this. My father didn’t understand why the dog didn’t “get it” and thought I was being to easy on him. Perhaps I was because I am a big sap with the dog. But we started working out a routine. Frosty Paws were a gift from God in the new routine. He loves them. Shortly before I left, I turned on the radio and would make him go to his bed then give him the Frosty Paws. I slipped out the door without a peep from the dog and prayed he didn’t finish the treat before I made it down the street. This initially only worked with Frosty Paws and cheese in a Kong. Now I can leave whenever. Except if I’m trying to leave with another person. Then he wants to go with us. And NOTHING works!