There are quite a few fears humans have to face in their lifetime. Similarly, the same concerns have various remedies. This is the story of Mikaela, a one-year-old toddler living with her joyful family in Kansas but with an unknown underlying fear. When left alone, her parents had to come scrambling back to comfort her.
Unfortunately, the fear crept into the daytime with time. Luckily, the introduction of a puppy into the home changed things for the better. Mikaela's folks didn't understand what had been happening to their beloved daughter. So what was the connection between the puppy's introduction and their daughter's comfort?
A Contented Household
In Kansas, a typically happy family of Dex and Lindsey Pritchett were bringing up their young daughter, Mikaela Pritchett, the best way they could. The young lass had just turned one, and everything seemed to be going well within the home. After all, everyone wants a peaceful environment in which to raise their children.
Dex had a good job as a professor at a nearby local community college, while his wife, Lindsey, owned and ran a thriving bakery in the neighborhood. To them, things couldn't be any better than they were at that moment. They were looking forward to Mikaela approaching her fifth birthday with pride.
Dreaming Big
As a young man, Dex had big dreams and hopes of how he would want his life and that of his family to turn out. With Mikaela's fifth birthday approaching fast, they were also subtly discussing growing their family, albeit with different opinions about the matter.
Dex wanted a second child, while Lindsey felt it wasn't the right time. To her, it was better if they opted to have a beloved pet in their home. Well, Dex caved into the idea, and they agreed on a puppy. But before the puppy came, there had already been some problems brewing within their home.
Underlying Issues
Mikaela's apparent revelation of being anxious and afraid to be left alone in her room created tension between her folks. Rushing back to her at night had become the norm as soon as they would lay her down and switch off the lights. Dex believed a sibling would help, but Lindsey thought Mikaela had a problem.
Time passed, and the problem didn't go away. In fact, their daughter became worse as she started sobbing every time she was left alone, even during daylight hours. It was becoming an irritating affair for the couple to have their child endure such an ordeal, day and night.
Afraid of the Dark
With her motherly instinct, Lindsey quickly deduced that their daughter was afraid of the dark as her sobbing was more frequent during the evening. In fact, the problem slowly worsened for three years. They'd initially been sleeping in the same room, but it got worse when Mikaela was moved to hers.
The infant would only fall asleep by cuddling or staying in the room. Any rigorous movement would awaken her, and the same process would repeat before she fell asleep. Lindsey was growing weary of this routine and kept wondering what they could do. And to make matters worse, the situation was getting worse every day now.
Worsening Situation
As worried as they were about the matter, Mikaela's growing anxiety also worsened, and it increasingly became a problem for the couple. It had become impossible for them to be far from their daughter, even for a moment. They had to be in the same room with her to have peace of mind.
It was about time they took her to a children's specialist to check the issue and handle the matter. They finally got an appointment and left for the physician's office on time. But would they get there on time, or was there something waiting for them on the way?
Unforeseen Traffic
It was just the couple's luck that a traffic jam in Kansas City built up that morning, making their journey to the hospital an uphill task. Stuck, Dex decided to liven things up by turning on the music to calm their nerves. They were resigned to their fate of being late for their appointment.
Mikaela, as expected, sat quietly in the back seat, not bothered by anything at all. She had her side windows rolled up and was happily enjoying the ride, despite the car being stationary at the moment. Her eyes kept hovering outside to pick up something of interest, perhaps, and that's when her little face lit up.
Smart Beyond Her Age
Mikaela's folks were unaware of her ability to pull herself up to the window and lower it, but she still did that to peek outside. The reason for the toddler's sudden excitement was a puppy, which made her call out loud for her mother. Her excitement shocked her parents, who were just realizing that she'd pulled the window down; they didn't even notice the puppy.
They were relieved that she hadn't thought of anything dangerous like attempting to jump outside the vehicle. While driving in the now-opening traffic, Dex and Lindsey tried to check out what Mikaela had spotted to shout the way she did.
Postponed Doctor's Appointment
The couple spotted the puppy that had made their kid hysterical enough to shout out. At that point, a call came through Dex's phone, and it was from the physician. He had called to request that they reschedule their appointment; he was attending to some pressing matters and couldn't see them.
Feeling relieved, they decided to turn and head back home, and that's when he spotted a sign next to where Mikaela had seen the puppy. He pulled over and parked at the pet store to pick up a few things, including checking on the dogs currently on the premises.
The Charming Silva
As soon as they entered the pet store, Dex was immediately struck by the charming looks of a magnificent two-year-old pit bull. Ironically, the same furry friend also stood out to his wife and daughter instantly. Taking it as a sign, the three decided to get Silva, the dog's name, as their new adoptive pet.
Lindsey had reservations, though, since she's had unpleasant experiences with dogs, and having a pit bull in the house was frightening, to say the least. She didn't know how it would quickly settle into its new home or how to care for it. She nonetheless agreed to Silva's adoption.
A Cozy Homecoming
With their new family member in tow, the Pritchetts made a split-second decision to quickly detour to a neighboring pet store to buy a few things. The couple needed some supplies for the dog, such as food, a bed, toys to play with, and food bowls. After all, Silva would need nutritious meals and regular playtime to stay healthy.
That night, Silva didn't sleep much as it would take some time for the mutt to acclimatize to its new home. So, the other family members also chose to stay awake, keeping themselves busy by watching a movie. But something unexplainable happened in the nights that followed, though.
Short Movie Nights
It became a norm for the family to watch movies every night, but Mikaela had a limited time window for that, as set out by her folks. She would take a short nap on the sofa while Silva lay down by her side on the floor. Since she was still struggling with sleep, her mother and father needed to watch over her.
They would later carry her to her bed in her half-asleep state. On this night, while doing the usual routine, the half-asleep Silva also stood up to follow them. It appeared to be an almost synchronized move, as if the two had been sleeping in tandem.
Separate Sleeping Areas
Dex and Lindsey laid their daughter to sleep, then proceeded to take Silva to its sleeping place in the kitchen, where they had placed a beautiful and comfortable bed for the dog. There was a bowl of fresh water as well. They left and carefully closed the door behind them as usual.
The couple proceeded to the lounge to continue watching the movie for a few hours before retiring to sleep in their room. When they were done with the film, Lindsey went to the kitchen to drink water before going to bed. She was astounded when she noticed Silva wasn't there! Where had the dog gone?
Danger Lurking
Lindsey remained rooted in the kitchen, trying to figure out where their furry buddy was and if it was safe and alright. She remembered closing the kitchen door behind them, and she hadn't seen it around the house since then. Now she had more questions than answers.
She didn't want to think it had gone to her daughter's room since she had vehemently refused to yield to Dex's suggestion that Silva sleeps beside Mikaela in the nursery. To allay her fears, she started going room by room to find the "scary" dog, hoping the powerfully built animal didn't potentially become a danger to anyone.
Worst Fears Turn to Reality
As expected, Lindsey's search focused on usual rooms like the dining and living areas and the passageway without any luck. She decided to face her fears and check the last spot left, Mikaela's, and alas, there it was. Silva was nicely tucked in the blanket with her daughter, both serenely asleep.
She was disturbed due to her fear of bulldogs as pets, even though her husband grew up with them and kept reassuring her of their lovely nature. Unable to leave the dog there, she took it back to the kitchen and tucked it into its blanket. However, there was more to come from Silva.
Mastery in Escaping
Whenever Lindsey locked the kitchen door at night, Silva still found its way into Mikaela's room. Of course, the infant enjoyed the dog's company, despite the concerns of her visibly worried mother. Every night she would find the dog in her daughter's bed, but how?
So just how did Silva get out of the kitchen every night, despite the pair always diligently closing the door behind her? This carried on for many days until she couldn't take it anymore. So, she explained to Dex what had been happening under their roof for days. However, he didn't look very concerned at the news.
Old Habits Die Hard
Lindsey decided to give some wiggle room to the now-strongly developing bond between Mikaela and Silva, as well as the unfunny Dex's reaction to the situation. She allowed the bulldog to access her daughter's room even during the day, though with her husband's supervision. However, due to Silva still being new to the family, there would be no nightly room sharing.
She chose to train the dog traditionally, or at least in the manner she was familiar with. The overprotective mother would close all doors and windows on her way to work to keep the dog in check. But did the unorthodox training really work?
Practice in Futility
Lindsey's plan held for a few days before she realized hers was a practice in futility. Silva got to the point that it would no longer take orders from her or even listen to her. The dog, it seems, had taken over their daughter's sleepless problem and was proving problematic unless it was lying beside her.
She appeared to have only two options at that point: either let Silva have its way or hire someone to train the dog from the outside. What she wasn't willing to do was let the canine beat her at her own game. That night, she went to bed pondering over the matter.
Unusual Behavior Change
Given they couldn't afford the cost of a dog trainer, Lindsey allowed herself to concede defeat for once. After all, it was for their daughter's benefit, she assumed. As it would turn out, three months later, they experienced a complete behavior change in Mikaela. A desirable one at that.
The girl, who used to struggle to sleep and would wake up with nightmares, was now sleeping soundly, and they needed not to wait by her door in case she woke up. Her sleep was sound, and she would retire to bed earlier than usual with a big smile. As for Silva, the dog was always by her side.
Many Unanswered Questions
As the couple watched with awe the beautiful change in their daughter's life, they were left with many unanswered questions in their mind. Before they allowed Silva to sleep by their daughter's side, how did it make its way out of the kitchen? What did the dog do to their daughter to make her sleep?
These were some of the questions they needed explanations for. And it didn't end there. What was the connection between the two that made them inseparable? To find answers, the duo chose to install three cameras in their home, two in Mikaela's room and one in the kitchen overlooking Silva's bed.
Everything Set to Go
The time had come to address the long-time lingering questions in their minds. The couple decided to take Silva back to its sleeping pad in the kitchen if they wanted to solve the mysteries that had been unfolding in their home. They observed as the dog drifted to sleep on their monitor.
Meanwhile, they had also confirmed that they tightly closed the kitchen door behind them, as they had before. The couple's eagerness to find out what would happen didn't allow them to get even the slightest bit of sleep. They even forgot that their home-installed gadgets could record the footage for review the next day.
A Worrying Sight
Mikaela's lenses showed her struggling to get some sleep as she kept rolling disturbingly on her bed, calling out for her mother in pain. Lindsey, though pushed to come to her aid by her motherly instincts, resisted the urge to keep checking on what was likely to happen.
The calling persisted for some time, but Lindsey stayed put. Every call to her name hurt her more and more as the night progressed. Dex was nonchalant, as had become his nature. When she was about to give up, Mikaela went silent and pulled a move they hadn't anticipated. The little girl left her parents gasping in shock.
Is There an Unwelcome Guest?
As if to follow the advice her mother had previously given, Mikaela crawled out of her bed and looked beneath it as if she were looking for a monster. Apparently, Lindsey has always advised her to check for one if she feels afraid. After discovering nothing, the infant exited her room as if she were on her way to her folks.
She seemed in a hurry, as if she had lost something or someone was after her. Dex and Lindsey remained fixated on the monitor as they wondered where their little girl was headed. Not aiming for her parents' room, Mikaela went down the corridor towards the kitchen instead.
It was Mikaela All Along
The couple watched the footage as their lovely daughter crept into the kitchen and carefully and silently opened the kitchen door. Silva eagerly lifted its head in response to seeing the little girl as if it had been waiting for a long time. The webcam captured the whole event.
Dex, in response, burst out in laughter at the amusing encounter, and Lindsey followed suit in sharing in the good times. Her parents watched in amusement as the two made their way out of the kitchen, oblivious that their every move was being watched. At long last, the dog and Mikaela could now sleep peacefully.
Nightly Routine
Dex and Lindsey let this repeat for some nights to confirm what they had been seeing. Silva would lie beside Mikaela in bed every night after they had exited the kitchen. They would snuggle in the cutest way possible, then proceed to sleep the night off.
Dex had become happy and content with the turn of events, especially since his webcams had cost him a fortune. On this specific night, something out of the norm happened when they were about to turn off the lenses. Little did Mikaela's parents know that the most significant revelation in all this was yet to come.
Seeing Is Believing
Their daughter suddenly woke up and looked around the room with bloodshot eyes. Judging by her face, it had been a nightmare, and she was visibly upset. Silva responded by licking Mikaela's face until the infant calmed down. The couple watched in awe as their dog whimpered earnestly in an attempt to make their daughter feel comfortable and safe.
Silva, like a doctor, gave the young lady the best care she could at a critical time and nuzzled her one last time when she was calm and in bed, then they all fell asleep again beside each other. This turn of events caught Dex and Lindsey off guard.
Tactful Play
Thoroughly shaken to their core, the couple watched how their daughter gleefully responded to the dog's gentle massage. They then decided to sleep the night off, too, positively looking ahead to the day to break. It came as a shock to them, though, to find Silva nestled nicely in its kitchen bed in the morning.
Reality dawned on them that Mikaela and Silva had hatched a plan to have the dog go back to its kitchen bed as it had become clear that her folks wanted it sleeping there. Silva woke up with its usual subservient nature, excited to see its owners.
Special Beneficial Bond
After putting off the appointment for some time, the couple finally took their daughter to the pediatrician. They discovered she had developed a phobia of being left alone at night or during the day. Luckily, they had found a remedy for it without knowing. Silva was Mikaela's anxiety doctor.
The Pritchetts became grateful to their dog for its seemingly unrewarded help, which apparently had a ripple effect. Mikaela suddenly started working on overcoming her inherent fear of spiders. Lindsey left the hospital a content woman, and she even became comfortable with Silva sleeping beside her daughter, letting go of her old fear of dogs.
Benefits of Pets
Researchers have advanced reports showing how pet ownership lowers owners' anxiety and stress levels daily. So, Silva's presence helped lower Mikaela's cortisol and blood pressure levels, reducing her heart and respiration rates in the process. Ideally, the bulldog solved many problems the family would have had to pay for.
Silva's presence also helped solve Lindsey's problem. She had now joyfully decided to let the bulldog sleep beside her to help her overcome her fear of dogs. The furry friend made her as comfortable as possible, helping her overcome her phobia effortlessly. Dex just marveled at the turn of events in his home.
Misunderstood Dog Breed
Bulldogs have always been misunderstood as dangerous dog breeds due to their vast jaws, big bodies, enormous size, and strength. However, these dogs are actually lovable, loyal, and affectionate. Their behavior depends on how their human owners bring them up and how their training pans out; they're not notoriously aggressive, as seems to be a widespread belief.
After enjoying the bulldog's love, Lindsey realized that Silva was a reliable friend to Mikaela. Even though she felt it was unsocialized, it turned out to be harmless to their daughter. The chance spotting of a stray dog by Mikaela brought them peace and healing in their home.