In the summer of 2023, Hanna Claesson’s father suddenly died of a cardiac arrest – which turned her world up and down.
– I’ve never felt so bad in my entire life. It was there and when I isolating at home altogether. If there is no dad, then I should not exist either, she says.
But about six months ago, she decided to get a dog. The election landed at Elza, which is a mixed breed between an American Bully and Pitbull.
Then she had to get out and could break the isolation.
They went into attack – started waving your arms
On the evening of January 22, Hanna and Elza were on an evening stroll in Stadsparken in Svedala. She sees a man coming on the path in front of her.
– He almost wobbles. He sometimes runs, then he stops and starts walking. I quickly think that something is not right, she says.
The man looks at her and shouts something. Hanna does not hear what he says and chooses to ignore him. Then the man begins to act more and more aggressively.
– I back a little and try to pull in Elza so we can leave, says Hanna.
The man pulls up the hood on his jacket, looks around and then rushes straight against them.
– I panic and immediately start thinking, should I call the police? Film? Scream? Or just run?
Photo: Private
“Was like a lion came out”
The man started waving his arms, just as he was ready to attack.
– In a second Elza stands in front of me. She murmurs, jumps and bark at the man. She is really firmly placed in front of me, says Hanna.
That makes the man back.
– Elza continues to bark, though this time even darker. It was like a lion arrived, she says and continues:
– I notice that she has the situation completely under control. Then I scream: “Back! Otherwise, I’ll release the dog on you! ”
Nevertheless, the man remains. Then Hanna pretended to disconnect Elza – which causes the man to run away.
– I hurry home and call my mom in pure panic. Mom says I’ll call the police, which I do.
However, Hanna chose not to report the incident.
Photo: Private
“Without Elza I would not have lived today”
Hanna has had problems with social anxiety since early age. When she was six years old, she experienced her first panic attack.
– I didn’t want to go to school because there were other people. I was so scared, she says.
Hanna started schooling, smoking and found a socializing where drugs were often found. Although she worked up her grades, and entered the upper secondary education construction and civil engineering, she eventually jumped off.
After an investigation that started during high school, the message came: she has ADHD, autism and social anxiety and ended up in a new weakness. Then Elza became her rescue.
– I really don’t think I would have lived today if I didn’t get her. I don’t think so, she says.