How a woman’s therapy sessions with her dog changed her outlook on life

By Bri Ribalta

August 15,2020 at 12:06 AM PST

MIAMI — Alicia Frey thought that her prayers had been answered when her friend recommended she visit a well-known therapist specializing in relationships. Something had to be done to save that bond between Alicia and Tom – said Jen Robin. Tom is Alicia’s ten year old dog. It was love at first sight when Tom ran in front of Alicia’s car one afternoon. From that day on, the two were inseparable. Ruff, ruff, ruff – barked Tom, recalling their first anniversary in Hawaii. It seemed like nothing could come between the couple.

Seven years later, life didn’t seem like a fairy tale anymore, says Alicia. Tom was barely barking, and Alicia could not deal with the lack of communication in the house. I thought I would lose my mind. I was a little hesitant to see Patty Mind, LMFT. Still I knew that if someone could help me it would be Mind.

I didn’t see it coming – says Alicia, tears filling her eyes. I had no idea he felt this way. Tom had just dropped a bombshell that would test their relationship. For the passed two years, Tom has been in love with Daisy – a grey standard poodle next door. He remembers how his world changed after Daisy moved next door. Ruff, Ruff – he barks, to describe the sophistication and mellow nature of Daisy. Right before their fifth session with Ms. Mind, Tom promised that he would come clean. Even though he never had a physical relationship with Daisy – he feels like a cheater and liar for keeping this a secret from Alicia for two years.

Thinking about it, I ignored the signs. I saw what I wanted to see, says Alicia as she practices archery. A new hobby that she started after her platonic split from Tom. All of the sudden, he became a different dog. He no longer enjoyed my belly rubs when Daisy was in the yard. Instead, he sat by the backdoor and watched her behind the screen. I thought that he just wanted to play with Daisy’s toys. I wanted to blind myself from the truth and did so for two years.

Alicia has been able to recover from this eye opening experience with a fresh perspective on life. She and Tom still share a home, but give each other the privacy that they each deserve. I love him and always will. When you love someone, you let them breathe and thrive. Now I see that I was holding on too tightly and that wasn’t what either of us wanted out of our relationship. We’re still best friends and nothing can ever change that. Arf, Arf, Ruff – barked Tom in agreement.