Selma Blair shares how her dog Scout helps with 'daunting' MS battle symptoms
Topics: Celebrity, Health, Pets, Animals, Entertainment
Jen Thomas
Featured Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, Health, Pets, Animals, Entertainment
Hollywood star Selma Blair has opened up about how her adorable dog Scout manages to help her with some of her MS symptoms.
The actress told HELLO! magazine that her beloved dog is more than just a pet to her, and is 'her world'.
Blair first shared her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis back in 2019, when she shared an emotional post on Instagram.
She wrote: "I am disabled. I fall sometimes. I drop things. My memory is foggy. And my left side is asking for directions from a broken GPS"
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The star also revealed she had probably been living with the condition for at least 15 years prior to her diagnosis.
As her health continued to worsen, her adorable Labrador Scout has been a huge help.
"I was having speech and gait challenges, and when I went out by myself, it could be daunting," she recalls.
"My neurologist and I decided that it could be a good solution to make me feel safer and supported. My son liked the idea for me, too," she says.
Following extensive treatment, Blair says she is now in remission,
Scout is still forever by her side to help her manage through life, though: "He has come to understand my movements and speech. If he senses any fatigue, he will alert me and help me to sit down, to make sure I'm safe."
"He is a counterbalance when I’m walking, and when vested, he’s telling people that I may need a wider berth," Blair explains.
She sang Scout's praises of the many ways he is helpful: "Scout is so steady and calm; no noise or helicopters or lights fluster him."
“He is there for me, alert and patient at those times, because he knows I may be overwhelmed. We’ve grown into a rhythm that always impresses people, because he seems just like a big loving dog, but he can be quite serious."
The four-legged friend has made many a red carpet appearance alongside Blair, and seems completely unphased by the attention of paparazzi and photographers, and remains completely focused on the job at hand, making these events enjoyable for Blair.
All of the other celebs love Scout, too.
"I am in a friendly profession, and when I take him to events, he is very loved," she says proudly.
Red fox labrador Scout has even posed with Justin Theroux, Chrissy Teigen and Michael Keaton, and Blair happily confesses that he regularly steals the show.
"I watch the joy of these admired stars enjoying dog love at these stressful but chic events. He is my love language, and most people are disappointed when I turn up without him," she laughs.