Watch The Sweet Moment An Anxious Rottweiler In Ohio Finds Comfort In A Special Gift
You know how some dogs are born goofballs, all tail wags and silly grins? Dyce wasn’t one of them.
This big, handsome Rottweiler came into the world with a lot of worry packed into his little brain. From the start, everything seemed too loud, too fast, too overwhelming.
Going outside? Nope. Passing other dogs on a walk? Total panic. Even with his humans, Anouk and her partner, by his side, Dyce just couldn’t get rid of his anxiety.
Walks were the toughest. While most pups are sniffing everything and wagging their tails, Dyce was tense from start to finish. His mom shared in an interview:
“He was very anxious, and that turned [into] reactivity.”
At home, he was a total sweetheart, but strangers rarely got to see that. Most people crossed the street to avoid him, which made his mom’s heart ache.
She knew just how loving he was, but no one else could.
Anouk tried everything to calm him down, but nothing seemed to work. Then, one day, something completely unexpected happened.
She brought home a few plush toys, just to see if Dyce would take any interest. Handing them over, she didn’t expect much.
But Dyce had other ideas.
Out of the bunch, he picked a blue octopus and carried it like it was the greatest treasure in the world straight to his cozy little corner.
From that moment, everything changed. That little blue octopus toy became his comfort and his safe spot.
He didn’t chew it up or rip it apart like a big dog might. Instead, he cuddled it and even slept beside it, as Anouk said:
“He was very sweet with this one, sleeping with the toy, washing the toy with his tongue, even [being] a little protective over the toy.”
It was the first thing that truly soothed him.
And the real magic? It worked outside the house too.
The first time Dyce brought his blue octopus on a walk, it was like flipping a switch. He wasn’t tense, he didn’t bark, growl, or freeze.
He just walked calmly, happily, like a completely different dog. That toy became his security blanket.
After that, walks were a whole new experience. Dyce started looking forward to them.
Every time his humans grabbed the leash, he ran straight to his bed to grab his octopus first, as Anouk explained:
“He will look for the octopus first before he goes on walks. If he forgets, he runs to the octopus as soon as he’s at home.”
Over time, his toy collection grew. Now he has a few plush friends he rotates depending on his mood.
But the blue octopus? Still number one in his heart.
For Anouk, this is huge. She knows Dyce doesn’t just need training or rules; he needs love, reassurance, and yes, his emotional support octopus.
It’s more than just a toy to him. It’s a source of comfort that helps him feel safe in a world that used to feel overwhelming.
Now, for a perfect walk, Dyce just needs two things: his mom by his side and his trusty blue octopus in tow.
With those in place, he’s calm, happy, and confident, the happiest boy on the block.
