Anxiety—a territory often associated with humans. However, what many may not realize is that dogs can also suffer from this condition. Anyone who has experienced anxiety understands the sensation of shallow breaths, a tightening chest, a racing heart, and a clouded perception of the world. Now, imagine your beloved canine experiencing the same.
Enter Chilli Chihuahua, a vibrant little pooch, strutting alongside his trusty sidekick Sukhi (an even tinier Chihuahua) and their devoted content creator, Yasmin El-Saie. However, life isn’t always a walk in the park for Chilli. He is a reactive dog, prone to anxiety and overwhelmed by the challenges of everyday situations. “I had no idea that dogs could face mental health issues,” Yasmin confesses with a heavy sigh. She continues, “It was Chilli’s anxiety that made me realize I am just as anxious as he is! It was as if Chilli became a mirror, reflecting the extreme state I found myself in. Every time I stepped out of the house, I could feel my heart pounding, anticipating the unknown. And I witnessed it mirrored in his tense little body, bracing himself for the unexpected.”
Over the years, Chilli and Yasmin have forged a unique bond, working closely together to support Chilli in any way they can. “I didn’t want Chilli to become a dog that I had to leave at home because he was unmanageable. I always wanted him to be a part of my life as much as possible, considering his needs and boundaries,” Yasmin shares.
Yasmin has developed coping strategies for both herself and Chilli. For instance, she never leaves home without a dog bag—a safe haven for Chilli, resembling a cave with a door, where he can retreat when overwhelmed in public places. Additionally, Chilli sports yellow gear to signal the need for personal space; he’s not comfortable with strangers approaching him. Embracing a yogic lifestyle, Yasmin incorporates meditation, sound therapy, and breathwork to soothe her own nervous system. “It’s fascinating to observe Chilli’s reactions to experiences like meditation, Reiki healing, and sound bathing. He chooses which ones he wants to engage in, and it’s truly amazing to witness his relaxation and receptiveness.”
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. Every week, Yasmin and Chilli offer valuable tips and insights on supporting and initiating healing for dogs and their owners. “I’m thrilled that I can leverage social media to raise awareness for such an important cause. People are rarely informed that not all dogs are relaxed and easy to approach. And when a dog reacts unexpectedly, I often sense a lack of understanding and judgment towards the dog as being bad or aggressive. It would be wonderful if more people were aware of dog anxiety and reactivity, enabling them to prevent unmanageable situations. We simply need to learn how to better comprehend their signals.”
Follow the campaign here.
