Deaf dog is so glad to see her soldier dad
Most dogs miss their owners when they are away, which can make it especially difficult for dogs of American service members. To make things worse, one dog with a military dad, named Noella, was also deaf. So, not only was she separated from her owner, but she also missed the connection that the two had. This was made even stronger by her handicap as she had come to rely on him for love and companionship
When he went on an Army training mission, she was lost without him. With no idea when he would return, she waited in silence for that day.
Noella’s dad left her in the care of a friend
Fortunately, Noella’s dad’s friend was able to watch the Terrier mix while he was away fulfilling his military duty. And while it was not the same as having her dad, it at least gave her somebody to spend time with as she anxiously awaited his return. It must have seemed that the day would never come, but it eventually did – even if she didn’t quite know it yet!
She anxiously awaited her owner’s return
The service member’s friend spent the weekends at local adoption events, which he routinely took Noella to. It mostly involved time in her cage so that he could go about his duties with the other dogs. That was where she was, lying silently in her cage when a special someone arrived.
The day finally came for Noella’s owner to return
Unbeknownst to her, as she sat in her cage outside the local PetSmart, her dad was on his way to pick her up. And while she couldn’t hear him, she was quick to spot him as he approached the store. Standing up, her tail began to wag and she started to dance around in the cage, her claws clicking on the hard floor of the enclosure. Her owner had finally returned for her.
Noella was so happy to see her owner
He hurried over to let Noella out of her crate. As soon as he did, she was all over him, planting little doggie kisses on his face. Her sweet reaction just goes to show how much she loves her dad and missed him while he was gone. Her owner’s friend shot a video of the adorable reunion, which she put up on YouTube, where it has gotten over 750,000 views.
What to do if your dog suffers from separation anxiety
In some cases where a dog is separated from their owner, voluntarily or involuntarily, the dog can suffer from separation anxiety. This can cause a variety of issues including excessive drooling, increased anxiety, and destruction of property. All of this comes about from the stress caused by such separations.
Just think what it must be like for dogs of service members who are often gone for long periods. Fortunately, you can work with your dog to reduce this stress. One method used in mild cases of separation anxiety is counterconditioning which helps to change their reaction from anxious, fearful, or aggressive, to one that is more pleasant and relaxing.
You can also attempt to have them desensitized to the separation in extreme cases of separation anxiety. This type of training should only be attempted with the aid of a certified applied animal behaviorist, board-certified veterinary behaviorist, or certified professional dog trainer. If you have any questions about these processes, ask your veterinarian for more information.
You can watch the sweet reunion between Noella and her owner in the video below.
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