Building a Better Relationship with Our Pets
Animal lovers know that sharing life with an animal companion is beneficial for well-being and health. Having a reciprocal, bonded, growing relationship with animals is important for peace of mind of everyone in the home.
In the wake of the pandemic, our animals have been experiencing extra stress just like we have. This is a time to let them know how much we love and appreciate them.
Talk to Your Animals
Bring ease to your animals. Talk to them and let them know in advance:
-when you’re going away (how long and when you’ll be back)
-where you’re going (and why)
-what you’re doing (and who you’ll be with)
-if you’re hosting guests at home (including contractors)
-major changes like job, relationship or residence
When animals know what’s going on and what to expect they feel a lot safer.
Be Present and Take Charge of Your Feelings
Being present in the moment and creating calm are important skills for a harmonious home life with animals. It is your job as the animal guardian to intervene when they are stressed and unable to calm themselves. When we’re stressed, animals pick that up and take it on. This does not serve anyone. Practicing presence cultivates your inner observer, helping you stay separate and take charge of your feelings. You model calm and regard your animals in their process without engaging and amplifying the situation. This is powerful healing for your animals.
From this calm place, assure your animals that you’re taking care of your feelings. It’s not their job. Let them know the stress is not about them, you’ve got this. Assure them you love them and are taking care of them. When you do this, your animals know they don’t have to take care of your feelings. This gives them freedom to be themselves and be there for you from their wisdom and strength.
Express Appreciation
More than ever it’s a time to let your animals know how much you appreciate them. You know about expressing appreciation through treats and praise, but there are other ways. Let them know that you appreciate the many things they do for you; things you know about and things you don’t. Give them the benefit of the doubt that you understand they are doing the best they can. Remember their needs. When you jog, they accompany you supporting your need. When they need their sniff quota met, support them by allowing them to guide the walk and set the pace.
Claim your place as the one in charge, but also acknowledge that you don’t always know what they need and that you’re doing the best you can to teach them how to be cooperative family members.
Animals heal and feel appreciated when you see their beauty, love, skills and capacity. One of the joyous and fun ways to communicate appreciation is through music. You can do this by singing or playing love songs to them. Tap into your heart and soul and express your love. Your animals will bask in your appreciation, gratitude and know they are loved.
Mutual Benefit
What you’ve probably noticed is that the things that we do to support our animal’s well-being are also the things that support our own well-being. We all reap the benefits. In the end, it’s about uplifting the quality of your animal’s life by making sure that all their needs are met. Then your animal can meet you from their heart and soul and you can both savor the amazing bond of love, healing and shared wisdom.






