Anxiety, an ever-present aspect of the human experience. However, did you know that our four-legged companions can also be plagued by anxiety? The symptoms of anxiety—shortened breath, a constricting chest, a racing heart, and a clouded world—are not exclusive to humans. Imagine your furry friend enduring the same turmoil.
Enter Chilli Chihuahua, a vibrant bundle of energy, strutting alongside his partner-in-crime, Sukhi (an equally diminutive Chihuahua), and their devoted content creator, Yasmin El-Saie. But life hasn’t always been a walk in the park for Chilli. He is what is known as a reactive dog, constantly battling overwhelming stress and anxiety in everyday situations. “I had no inkling that dogs could suffer from mental health issues,” Yasmin confesses with a weary sigh. She continues, “It was Chilli’s anxiety that made me realize how anxious I am too! He became a mirror reflecting the extreme state I was in. Every time I stepped out of the house, I could feel my heart racing, apprehensive of the outside world. And I could see it mirrored in his tense little body, bracing himself for the unexpected.”
Over the years, Chilli and Yasmin have formed an extraordinary bond, working hand in paw to support Chilli in any way they can. “I never wanted Chilli to become so unmanageable that I had to leave him at home. I always wanted him to be a part of my life to the fullest, while still respecting his needs and boundaries,” Yasmin explains.
Yasmin has developed coping mechanisms for both herself and Chilli. For instance, she never leaves home without a dog bag. “The bag serves as Chilli’s safe haven—a cave-like retreat where he can seek solace when the outside world becomes overwhelming. Additionally, his yellow gear acts as a signal to others, indicating that he requires space. He’s not comfortable with strangers approaching him.” Embracing a yogic lifestyle, Yasmin finds solace in meditation, sound therapy, and breathwork to soothe her own nervous system. “It’s fascinating to observe how Chilli responds to practices like meditation, Reiki healing, and sound bathing. He intuitively selects which experiences he wants to partake in, and witnessing him relax and receive is truly remarkable.”
Years of learning and training have inspired Yasmin to share her journey of living with an anxious dog through the “I am anxious too!” campaign on Chilliwawa’s Instagram account and website. Each week, Yasmin and Chilli provide valuable insights and tips on supporting and fostering healing for both dogs and their human companions. “I’m grateful that social media allows me to raise awareness for this crucial cause. People aren’t always informed that not all dogs are relaxed and easygoing. When a dog exhibits unexpected reactions, I often find that people lack understanding and hastily label the dog as bad or aggressive. It would be truly wonderful if more individuals were aware of dog anxiety and reactivity, enabling us to prevent unmanageable situations for these animals. We simply need to improve our ability to comprehend their signals.”
Join the campaign and follow their journey here.
