Our health and our animal companions

Our animal companions help us stay healthy in so many ways. If you are fortunate enough to share your home with one (or more) you probably already know that as soon as you walk through the door and are greeted by kitty purrs or a wagging tail (or whatever yours does) the daily stresses start to melt away. Animals can read our energy perfectly so they always know when we need them. They typically try to console human parents when we are upset and will go to great lengths to help/heal us.

Last week I was stressed out and my daughter Gracie Belle, who is not typically one for sitting on laps for long, sat with me for two hours until I was very calm. I didn’t want to get up because she was so cozy & comfortable on my lap, which of course led to her accomplishing her goal of helping me relax. My son Merlin purrs and snuggles me under the covers every single night before I fall asleep, it is more calming that any sleep medicine could ever be. He gives me the sweetest looks when he wants to be picked up & held.

Your dog may be asking to play, but her goal is at least in part for you to receive the benefit of playing too. Same with wanting a walk, or a break from work. They can plainly see when you need to stop what you are doing and clear your mind.

Some animals will go as far as to reflect back to you what is going on with your health. They may engage in anxiety type behaviors that mirror their person’s situation. After you have consulted their veterinarian (always check with the vet first to rule out/treat illness)  it is helpful to consider what is going on in your own life or home that may be the cause. Is your animal companion over- eating out of boredom or stress? Over grooming is another typical stress related issue. Are you ignoring your own health? Maybe they are trying to “show” you what is wrong.

A lot of us worry more about taking care of our animals’ health needs than our own, and that is great except that we are so very connected. So part of caring for your fur child is taking care of yourself to ease the burden for them of having to “show” you. Of course there are health situations beyond our control, but we can do our best - for us and for them. Let’s listen to them and pay attention to what they are trying to tell us & sometimes simply be grateful to have a sweet fur kid to lick our tears and give us healing purrs.

*The photo above is of Merlin giving me the sweet look that makes me stop whatever I'm doing and snuggle with him*