Page 927 - Total War on PTSD

He can sense when I am getting “worked up” and he provides me with a feeling of “it’s going to be okay”. Henry allows me to enter society again in my own time. Over the next three to four years, Henry and I would spend hours just looking into each other’s eyes. It was a command (among over 100 commands that he knows) that he learned in his training to assist him in a situation that might be distracting to him while we are out and about in public called, “Watch Me”. Over time, this has become our thing. Now, while in the privacy of our home, I don’t have to give him this command to look into my eyes. We just do it whenever we feel the need. It is very comforting to me. I can’t read Henry’s mind, but I feel that he enjoys these times as well.
The bond between Henry and I is unlike any bond that could be proved between me and another human. There is no mistaking that this creature’s purpose in life is to be with me. He provides me space from people when I am in public. Before Henry, I felt as though people were looking at me and judging me. Now, there attention is on Henry and how cute he is. He is my point man. When speaking with someone in public that I am not comfortable with, I give him the command, “Block”. This is where he stands in front of me, between me and the other person, in a perpendicular stance. He will not move, even when walked into by the other person. This allows me to “stand down” a little and be a bit more relaxed. I know that if anything happens, Henry will give me time to react. Over time, this has become a way for me to deal with my anxiety rather than suppress it. Henry gives me room in a crowd of people. Allowing me to have the space I need to protect him while he protects me. When we are out and I need to stay in one location for a bit of time, I give him the command, “Watch My Back”. This is where he turns around at my left side and sits. If someone comes up from behind me, Henry will alert me of this action and allow me to not have to look over my shoulder constantly.
927 of 1085