ANIMALS, ANXIETY AND YOU

I went to the chiropractor yesterday. She told me my neck and shoulders were tight. She worked me over and explained that I was holding alot of stress and needed to rest. She reminded me twice...

Why am I telling you this? I should have asked my cat for help before I went to the chiropractor. Fia, the cat, has been following me to the kitchen and sitting on her stool. She watches me with those big wise eyes a lot more than usual. After our morning ritual of breakfast and brushing, she is off to do her cat thing. Now she is hanging around watching me. I recalled that when I sat on the sofa recently, she jumped on my lap and planted herself. I became her captive. She knew I needed extra rest and was doing her part to keep me planted on the sofa relaxing. Aren't our animals amazing and smart teachers?

I sometimes wonder if my animals are picking up on my stress and anxiety. The answer to that would be YES! When I am "jazzed" as I put it, my cat may poop outside her litter box and my bird mirrors my anxious behavior and bites me. Have you noticed something similar with your animals, too? Let's try to be more present with our animals and see if you notice a change in them....and you.

Never lie to your animal and try to cover up your scattered energy. They can see right through you. If you are feeling particularly anxious, take a couple of deep breaths to release your stress the best you can. It's okay to tell them your troubles and ask them to comfort you. Horses, in particular, ask if their humans can just hang out with them for a break.

There will be time for riding or training later. When your animal---cat, dog, horse, pig, bird---needs a break from routine, chances are that it is for your well being, not theirs. Recall how your dog behaves when going for a walk. That exuberant reaction is about living in the present with you! Animals have mastered unconditional love and live only in the present. We have so much to learn by watching them. Take a deep breath and be calm.

#animalcommunication #anxietyandanimals #anxietyandcats #anxietyandhorses #anxietyanddogs