#I had the reverse issue when introducing my Isabeau to my Siffrin! my Siffrin was incredibly shy and took a long time to warm up.

[isatling-husbandry-guide]

Hey, uh, my Isabeau's been really down in the dumps lately? Keeps staring off into the distance and is getting really anxious. I'm worried I might not be socializing him well enough? I was thinking about getting a Siffrin but I'm not sure he's going to react well to one? Or, well, I'm worried he's going to be too excited if I try and introduce him to a Siffrin. Should I look into getting a Mirabelle instead? Or an Odile? Every guide I've checked says Siffrins are great company for Isabeaus but I also don't want to overwhelm a Siffrin with a really anxious Isabeau?

And I know, I know I shouldn't have let it get this bad but this is my first isatling and he seemed fine until one day he was just super moody for no reason!

Those guides would be correct! A Siffrin is an excellent choice, as they mesh well with Isabeaus and often provide comfort to each other, though I very much see where you're coming from with those concerns. A Mirabelle is also a great option and the two species get along incredibly well, however Mirabelles are also a very anxious species; and while that isn't a big issue on its own, it can be difficult for a new caretaker to manage.

It might be most beneficial to get an Odile. They often serve as a good grounding force for many Isatlings, and even for Caretakers themselves (they’re among the most popular service Isatlings for Caretakers with memory issues, executive dysfunction, anxiety, and other similar conditions that impair daily tasks).

For this case though, this is mostly my own personal opinion on what I would do, especially if I were a new caretaker. But I am just one caretaker, and there’s a lot of variety in your options here!

Furthermore, I see your frustration. It can be incredibly disappointing or infuriating when something goes awry while Caretaking: it’s easy to get mad at yourself, for both new and older caretakers. What’s important here is that you’ve recognized something is off and are now making an active effort to fix it before it worsens; to which I’m very glad you’re doing! Thank you for reaching out, and I wish you and your Isabeau the best of luck.