Dog Suffers From Severe Anxiety But Feels Safe With His "Quiet Ears" On
Myko does not look like a dog who would need a costume to feel brave, but that is exactly what makes his story so sweet. For this rescue pup, an Eeyore outfit has turned into a year-round source of comfort, and his family has learned to keep it close when anxiety starts to creep in.
Myko has struggled with severe anxiety since he was a puppy, and loud noises or sudden movement can still set him off. His humans knew early on that he needed something gentle to help him feel safe, and the answer turned out to be the same Halloween costume he wears like a security blanket.
Now those floppy ears have a nickname of their own, and Myko’s calmest moments may be the cutest part of the whole story.
When Myko is frightened, he barks—a lot! His parents were struggling to find something that would help calm him, so they decided to get creative.
"We had read about how clothing that is form-fitting (like a ThunderShirt) or pressure around their ears can be calming for dogs in a high state of arousal," Elena said. "We had purchased an Eeyore Halloween costume for him a few months back, so we pulled out the droopy ears portion of it."
The Eeyore costume quickly became known as Myko's "quiet ears."
"We put them on him, and he instantly became very quiet and calm," Elena said.
Just the sight of his "quiet ears" is enough to remind Myko to calm down. "If he gets a reminder that he will need to wear them, he may just quiet down and then walk away to do something else," Elena said.
It was a simple fix, but it made a big difference for him.
This also echoes the dog with knitted ears who found a loving home.
The ears are a source of comfort to Myko when he is stressed.
"When we pull them out or he sees them, he may also quiet down."
"The way he expresses himself, his feelings, and his thoughtful reactions to things is so inspiring and a reminder that it’s OK to feel things and look for help when you need it," Elena said. "The lessons we have learned from him about courage, second chances, and kindness are endless."
Myko's quiet ears have become his little comfort zone.
Wait until you see how a toddler calmed a frightened dog during a thunderstorm, right here.
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