Trauma will absolutely change a dog, and in many different ways. Some dogs have heartbreaking ways that they show physical symptoms of trauma. It’s these dogs that need the most love and care to recover.
Roxie the Pitbull here has severe anxiety and trauma. She would huddle away and shake uncontrollably, teeth chattering and all.
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Thanks to her mom and rescuer, Ashley Waldrop Jackson, Roxie’s journey towards healing that trauma is here for us to see.
Her previous home was in the back of a van where she barely had any food.
Ashley even described her state at the time as “emaciated” and suspects that her previous home was a big cause of her trauma.
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Even when she found a new home with Ashley, the scars from her previous life were still there.
And that brings us to a much healthier, albeit still traumatized, Roxie. Ashley had to think of how to help the poor dog.
It was very difficult to see what Roxie was going through. She would have seizures from the anxiety. Ashley knew this happened in some dogs, but to see it for herself was heartbreaking.
The solution came when Ashley noticed what things Roxie was seeking out.
She would hide under the covers close to Ashley often. This Pitbull, it seems, had a strong craving for being covered or embraced.
It looked as if being under the covers made her feel “secure”. So Ashley started experimenting.
Applying pressure, lots of it, was helping. I don’t mean a simple nudge or press. Roxie wanted to be wrapped in the weighted blanket.
So Ashley had to expand on this now.
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Roxie likes being covered up, does she? Well, what can Ashley do to give her as much of that as possible?
Ashley also embraced Roxie and let her body weight press against the dog slightly, which also calmed her down. Typically, dogs get uncomfortable when you do this. So it was strange, though cute, that Roxie seemed to enjoy it.
However, Roxie couldn’t rely only on that weighted blanket. There was only one of it in the house, and it needs to be washed every now and then too!
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Roxie’s love for being covered up reached a contact of Ashley’s on Instagram. As luck would have it, he specialized in making weighted vests.
He wanted to help Roxie, so he sent a vest to Ashley to see if it would help the Pitbull. It looks like it did!
When she first tried it on, Roxie wasn’t sure what to think of it. But as she kept wearing it, she realized that it was just what she wanted.
It’s become her “comfort vest” now, and Roxie found her confidence back when she wore it more. The Pitbull now wears it wherever she goes. She does look pretty good in it, doesn’t she?
With that new confidence, Roxie showed more of her character than ever before.
She’s very playful and loves digging in the dirt and sand, as Ashley learned. The best was still yet to come!
When a new roommate moved into Ashley’s living space, she brought a dog with her as well.
Ashley and the new tenant were initially worried if the two dogs would get along – even discussing ways to keep them separate if need be.
But their concerns were unfounded, because Roxie warmed up to her new friend quite a lot.
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Ashley never expected this from a dog with Roxie’s history, but she was proud of her nonetheless!
Roxie has become a whole new dog since then. She doesn’t even need the vest all the time now. That’s some astounding progress!
Though it isn’t just Roxie who’s made big leaps of progress. Ashley has her own story too.
Ashley was a recovering alcoholic. She’s been sober ever since now, and all thanks to Roxie. She wouldn’t have been able to keep sober this long without Roxie’s help.
“She genuinely 100% changed my life.” – said Ashley
It just goes to show how much a single dog can do. We’re glad to have seen the progress these two have made!
If you want to see their story for yourself, watch the video down below. If you enjoyed giving this a read, then please give this article a share as well!
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