Dear Megan,
Growing up you had a cocker spaniel named Jepper. Do you remember how much she drove you crazy? It was the lip smacking, the licking, the noises. It wouldn’t be until your 30’s that you learned it was your high sensitivity to your environment that made Jepper’s noises unbearable, not Jepper herself. Needless to say, your family was surprised how much you came to love and need the comfort of animals in your adult life. Their uncomplicated love has always been healing to you.
In your late 20’s you got your first dog of your own, Bella. You found her days after you agreed to foster a one year old daschund who had been kept in a chicken coop for the first year of her life. There you were in school, working a restaurant job, teaching yoga, and a new dog owner to two puppies. What a chaotic and wonderful time that was.
You just returned from a long walk with your brother’s puppy, Zeppelin and the way he runs ahead of you but then stops to check and make sure you are there before he pounces on a stick or a pile of snow-gets you. Last night he fell asleep curled in the crook of your arm.
So, go ahead and flood your post with images of animals, but don’t forget that you heal in the context of human relationships too.
Baby Bernie! Doesn’t every child need an annoying cockerspaniel?
We had a cocker spaniel when my kids were little, his name was Cash and my daughter still dreams about him 20 years later. 🤍