A few months ago, a Reddit user shared a touching video featuring his two dogs comforting their anxious canine sibling.
The clip showcases Huxley, a small Shih Tzu, and Winnie, a white deaf dog, tenderly caring for their big brother Rex, an English/French Mastiff mix.
Rex, unfortunately, struggles with severe anxiety due to a troubling past filled with abuse and neglect from multiple owners.
From Trauma to Tender Care
A recent study conducted by the University of Helsinki, Finland, reveals that dogs are highly susceptible to anxiety-related traits (1). The cases apply to puppies that have suffered abuse from their youth.
The research, involving 13,715 dogs from Finland, found that 72.5% (2) displayed anxiety-like behaviors.
Rex’s history is a prime example of this research. The pup was rescued from a life of mistreatment, having endured beatings and shock collar punishments from his previous owners. At that time, Rex was 1.5 years old.
This abuse resulted in Rex developing a profound fear of loud noises, brooms, and clapping. His second family, distressed by his “aggressive behavior,” even contemplated euthanasia.
Due to his traumatic experiences, Rex developed resource-guarding tendencies and aggression, which made it challenging for him to fit into a third family despite their efforts to help.
Fortunately, Rex found a compassionate owner who has devoted the last 2.5 years to his rehabilitation. Though Rex still exhibits anxious behaviors, he has made significant progress, now able to interact with his dog and human siblings comfortably.
“With anxiety, the dog generally wants nothing to do with whatever it’s scared of, and will try to get out of that situation as quickly as it can,” his owner told Newsweek. “He was my first dog post divorce, when I was single, so we kind of helped each other a lot.”
Love in Action: The Bond of the Trio
In the video, we can see the affection between Rex and his dog siblings. Huxley, the fearless and affectionate Shih Tzu, and Winnie, the deaf dog who relies heavily on Rex, are deeply bonded with him. Whenever Rex appears anxious, Huxley and Winnie rush to comfort him, showering him with kisses.
The owner explains that the bond goes beyond mere companionship. Huxley, who is sociable and unafraid, is simply thrilled to be part of the loving family.
Winnie, who is deaf, has developed a particularly close relationship with Rex.
Although Rex can be quite vocal and growl when scared, Winnie, unable to hear him, accepts him unconditionally.
Rex has adapted to Winnie’s needs, often serving as her ears and helping her navigate their environment. Their mutual support and understanding have been crucial in Rex’s journey to overcome his fears and anxieties.
Winnie and Huxley’s unwavering affection has played a significant role in Rex’s recovery, helping him emerge from his shell.
Their unique bond has captivated many online, earning the video nearly 21K upvotes on Reddit.
“I can’t tell you how much this information sparks joy in me. Winnie, Rex, and Huxley are some of my current favorite people. Oh, and you’re pretty awesome too, for giving these wonderful dogs a happy home,” commented one Reddit user.
It’s heartwarming to see how Rex, after enduring so much pain, has found a loving family with the best owner and dog siblings he could ask for.
“I’ve always said I’m really lucky to have such a cool dog,” said Rex’s owner.
Their story is a testament to the healing power of love and the profound impact that a caring family can have on a distressed animal.
References:
[1] Cohut, M., PhD. (2020, March 10). Many dogs are prone to anxiety, study finds. Medical News Today.
[2] Salonen, M., Sulkama, S., Mikkola, S., Puurunen, J., Hakanen, E., Tiira, K., Araujo, C., & Lohi, H. (2020). Prevalence, comorbidity, and breed differences in canine anxiety in 13,700 Finnish pet dogs. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-59837-z
