If you’ve read Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse, then you know that our animal friends, who excel at living life in the present moment, can inspire us to do the same by reminding us to tune into our five senses.
On my morning hike with Grace, there’s nothing better to get me out of my head than to watch her using her using her brilliant senses. Suddenly, Grace will raise her nose in the air and sniff out an invisible scent, or freeze in place while watching a rabbit in the distance, or hear the caw of a raven before I do. These moments remind me that our outing would feel much richer if I were to leave my thoughts at home and focus on the natural world by being mindful of my own senses.
What about Touch?
COVID-19 changed our world overnight. I miss my friends; throwing my arms around them, feeling their warm hugs in return, and enjoying the bond of friendship that comes with the touch of our hands.
In humans, a lack of touch over time can lead to depression, stress, and even aggression. We need physical touch to develop greater trust between us, stronger immunity in ourselves, and enhanced wellbeing. Even though some areas in the country are now lifting COVID-19 restrictions, the experts still warn about decreasing our social distancing with others too quickly. Again, like so many other areas in our life, this is where our animal companions can come to our rescue.
In the Beginning
When Ken and I first got married, he promised me back and foot massages and head rubs before bed – something which makes me fall blissfully asleep. Over the years these promises have dwindled. Fortunately, Ken is back to giving massages – to our rescue dog, Grace.
In the morning I wake up and he is giving her a deep chest rub. When I take a break from my writing at lunchtime, he is massaging her back. When we cuddle in bed at night, instead of feeling his hands stroking my head, they are occupied rubbing her ears. When he finishes, Grace puts her paw on his hand demanding a little more masseuse action – and she gets it. When I ask Ken to rub my head longer, he says he has to go brush his teeth and get ready for bed. All kidding aside, it warms my heart and makes me happy to see Grace and Ken growing closer to each other every single day.
The truth is that Ken is getting tremendous benefit from giving. As Grace is relaxing, Ken’s blood pressure and stress levels are also decreasing. And that love hormone, Oxytocin, is also getting a nice boost in his system. The benefit to our heart health, both physical and emotional, is one of the greatest gifts of the Animal-Human Health Connection.
This Too Shall Pass
I look forward to the day when COVID19 becomes a distant memory; one that we have learned important lessons from to create a healthier and more evolved world. In the meantime, I continue to look to my animal friends for their inspiration on living a more pawsitive life. I hope you can too.
Stay Healthy & Stay Pawsitive!
Carlyn MDO
PS: Are you or someone that you love looking for daily inspiration, or some wonderful motivation, and a way to stay more pawsitive through these challenging times? If you love dogs, check out Paws for the Good Stuff and let the joy begin!
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