Dogs are simply the best. What if every human acted like a dog does when you come home. Tails waggin, tongue licking, happily frolicking around like they're about to wet their pants. All they do is live to love - Love your dog with equal enthusiasm.
I would be willing to bet real money that every single person or animal of every kind that evokes the feeling that they are inherently bad are actually just traumatized. I try to remember that always. Always.
I just love what you do for the dogs you care for--and what they do for you. I'm happy to have stumbled onto your Substack. Thank you for a perfect read...at least for me. Today.
I'm personally quite attracted to naughty--especially in dogs and horses. It's remotely possible I engage in behavior that some might view as naughty. Sometimes. Maybe.
Thank you so much for this amazing post, Henny. Really loved reading it. Dogs are fabulous, but also, YOU are fabulous for your work with one who needed you.
I personally meditate best when in motion, walking or running outside without music, yoga (this one took a while), pulling weeds. Didn’t think about it until I read this but I’m sure dog sitting was beneficial for similar reasons.
Nice job on this, Henny! I think dogs are the best teachers about stuff like this and a bunch of other things; we just need to listen to them. Those lessons take a certain presence of mind. Garnet, through that trauma, was reading you like a book, and probably figured you were ready. Yay, Garnet! Yay, you!
This is such a great story! When I took trauma conscious training, one of the things that stood out to me was asking not, “What’s wrong with you?” But, “What happened to you?” Which I was reminded of when you mentioned that being traumatized is better than being “bad.” Totally true.
Animals are great teachers. My cat is constantly teaching me to slow down and take more naps.
Naaawwww this is so lovely! I too am jealous of an animal’s ability to just be in the present moment - so hard for us humans! Glad you found a little slice of inner peace and hope Garnet finds a forever home soon!
This whole piece was my meditation today. We're on our third shelter pup, a pitty mix who expects belly rubs multiple times a day...it's a great way to reset. Thank you!
This is how I’m absolutely certain you’re a good man.
I love that you and Garnet gave each other a few minutes of total peace.
Imma tell my wife you said that next time I f-up the laundry ….which tends to be a weekly occurrence 🤣
You do laundry…?
My point has been made.
😊
Fabulous story, Henny. I think I need a dog. I think the world needs a dog. Thank you for my first meditation of the day.
Thanks Amanda!! Absolutely you need a dog!
I feel like Oprah…you get a dog, and you get a dog, and you get a dog 🤣🤣🤣
Around my house it would sound like “you walk the dog, no you walk the dog…”
Ha!
Dogs are simply the best. What if every human acted like a dog does when you come home. Tails waggin, tongue licking, happily frolicking around like they're about to wet their pants. All they do is live to love - Love your dog with equal enthusiasm.
Live to love - definitely!!!
I would be willing to bet real money that every single person or animal of every kind that evokes the feeling that they are inherently bad are actually just traumatized. I try to remember that always. Always.
I just love what you do for the dogs you care for--and what they do for you. I'm happy to have stumbled onto your Substack. Thank you for a perfect read...at least for me. Today.
Thank YOU MaryBeth!
Our Maverick has some bad in him. But it’s like a good bad. Naughtiness maybe is a better way to say it.
We actually call him our “good-bad boy” sometimes 🤣😍
I'm personally quite attracted to naughty--especially in dogs and horses. It's remotely possible I engage in behavior that some might view as naughty. Sometimes. Maybe.
Possibly
Thank you so much for this amazing post, Henny. Really loved reading it. Dogs are fabulous, but also, YOU are fabulous for your work with one who needed you.
Aw shucks Diane, thanks!
And fabulous indeed!!!
Precious story 🫶❤️🥹
I personally meditate best when in motion, walking or running outside without music, yoga (this one took a while), pulling weeds. Didn’t think about it until I read this but I’m sure dog sitting was beneficial for similar reasons.
Absolutely.
Yard work for sure. Every few years I get a few tons of rock to spread on our property…that is meditative as heck!
This is so sweet. I love dogs. Mine is so sensitive, they really do teach us to be better people.
100%!
What kind do you have?
a corgi! he’s very sweet. I think he can read my mind
Ah, corgis are adorbs. What’s his name?
Sammie!
Tell Sammie me and Darla and Maverick said hello! They are sitting right here with me 🐾
Nice job on this, Henny! I think dogs are the best teachers about stuff like this and a bunch of other things; we just need to listen to them. Those lessons take a certain presence of mind. Garnet, through that trauma, was reading you like a book, and probably figured you were ready. Yay, Garnet! Yay, you!
Thanks! It’s just so exciting when you see them getting more comfortable.
This is such a great story! When I took trauma conscious training, one of the things that stood out to me was asking not, “What’s wrong with you?” But, “What happened to you?” Which I was reminded of when you mentioned that being traumatized is better than being “bad.” Totally true.
Animals are great teachers. My cat is constantly teaching me to slow down and take more naps.
More naps! We could all use that.
I’ve never heard of that type of training. Was it for a particular job?
I took it to inform teaching yoga, but there were lots of folks there who were therapists, too.
Very interesting
Naaawwww this is so lovely! I too am jealous of an animal’s ability to just be in the present moment - so hard for us humans! Glad you found a little slice of inner peace and hope Garnet finds a forever home soon!
Me too! She’s been with us too long for such a sweetie.
Like Ted Lasso says, “be a goldfish!”
This whole piece was my meditation today. We're on our third shelter pup, a pitty mix who expects belly rubs multiple times a day...it's a great way to reset. Thank you!
It’s the best! Funny, our pitty mix likes butt rubs more than anything else 😀
What an awesome thing you are doing, Henny! Good on ya!
Thanks Angie!!! Dogs are the best.
It’s amazing where we get our inspirations from. We really aren’t worthy of dogs. I’m so glad that they put up with us. Maybe it’s the treats? 😉
Exactly, not worthy!
We have a pitty mix at home and as much as she loves the treats, she’ll get her butt rubbed all day long 😀
Great post Henny! I love that you have been there for Garnet! She’s one special pup ❤️❤️🐾🐾
That she is Pam, thanks for reading!!!
Awwww! Dogs are the best! What a heartfelt story.
Yes they are!
Thanks for reading and commenting Ingrid!
Great story! I’m glad you and Garnet found each other.
Thanks Dude!
…doubles dogs at the toes right now, couldn’t be more at peace…sounds like you know a good one…
Dogs at your toes, not much better than that.