This piece is stunning!! I am struck by how powerful loving a pet is, especially for those of us for whom loving people is tied up with trauma and shame and people pleasing. I can absolutely relate this to experiences I’ve had with love for my cats. Thank you for writing this!
Thanks so much Taylor, that means a lot! And I hadn't thought about it like that... but that makes so much sense. My childhood dog was an emotional haven for me. I'm so happy you have your cats. :)
This was so sweet and felt heartfelt, too. "It turns out people-pleasing is not an act of love." is so right on. That's a huge thing to know. I'm cheering you on as you notice the yearning. I'm so glad you and Brody are together. He's a beauty, by the way. P.S. I just thought of a parallel to feeling the yearn and figuring out what it is: my favorite painting instructor's best advice to me years ago was to always ask the question, "what is the shape of that value?". The context was shadow and light, but I think it's good for emotional stuff, too.
I can’t even remember why I started looking at greyhounds as a breed I want, over a decade ago (a long awaited dream) but they’re misunderstood! What did you have misunderstood about them?
Just that they aren’t too friendly. I misinterpreted their snuffling as aggressive. They’re actually loving and expressive creatures if you know how to read them! How about you?
I thought they’d be aloof, with that long snoot and their elegance. I also thought they needed a lot of exercise and would be high energy dogs, which isn’t true. Our doggie loves sleeping and when it rains doesn’t even want to walk.
What expressions have you learned? I’m still learning my pooch’s expressions, they are different to other dogs.
Agreed, my cockapoo is definitely a LOT more high energy!
Well Brody cannot pee without clawing the earth to cover it up (I know that's generally a dog thing but he literally scrapes massive holes in the ground whilst he's doing it and grunts at the same time haha), the greyhound lean to show affection, and lots of little cries and teeth chatters when he's excited.
I love the greyhound lean! It’s so funny! They remind me of horses or cats, some mix with dog 🤣 Horses can lean too.
The teeth chatters!!! It’s so true!!! My Liath does like these funny smiles when she’s excited and she does do teeth chatters. I hadn’t categorised that yet.
The cat behaviour is she likes to weave when she’s getting stroked, like a cat. Then curls up in a tiny ball when she’s sleeping and it’s cold.
This is beautiful. Thank you, Charlie, for sharing. I love dogs as well. We have two of our own and my daughter takes care of dogs as a side job. We get to spend lots of time with many dogs who visit for a day or a weekend. I love it.
I find it much easier to practice loving others with dogs than with people. As I've been learning to love myself and others more, I find that the dogs I'm around give me immediate feedback on how they feel and what they sense. This is helping me to be more aware of how I express myself towards them so they are calm and enjoy being around me--as much as I love being around them.
Somehow, I trust dogs more than most humans. I know that the dogs don't put up masks or pretense. Instead, they are genuine and present in the moment. I also know when it's safe or not safe to be around a dog. This feels refreshing. Humans are not as predictable.
This piece is stunning!! I am struck by how powerful loving a pet is, especially for those of us for whom loving people is tied up with trauma and shame and people pleasing. I can absolutely relate this to experiences I’ve had with love for my cats. Thank you for writing this!
Thanks so much Taylor, that means a lot! And I hadn't thought about it like that... but that makes so much sense. My childhood dog was an emotional haven for me. I'm so happy you have your cats. :)
This was so sweet and felt heartfelt, too. "It turns out people-pleasing is not an act of love." is so right on. That's a huge thing to know. I'm cheering you on as you notice the yearning. I'm so glad you and Brody are together. He's a beauty, by the way. P.S. I just thought of a parallel to feeling the yearn and figuring out what it is: my favorite painting instructor's best advice to me years ago was to always ask the question, "what is the shape of that value?". The context was shadow and light, but I think it's good for emotional stuff, too.
oooo love that analogy! Thank you for sharing, and the fact my love for Brody translated through these words is lovely.
We’ve just adopted a greyhound! They’re so affectionate 💚
Congratulations 🥰 I totally misunderstood them as a breed, until meeting Brody!
I can’t even remember why I started looking at greyhounds as a breed I want, over a decade ago (a long awaited dream) but they’re misunderstood! What did you have misunderstood about them?
Just that they aren’t too friendly. I misinterpreted their snuffling as aggressive. They’re actually loving and expressive creatures if you know how to read them! How about you?
I thought they’d be aloof, with that long snoot and their elegance. I also thought they needed a lot of exercise and would be high energy dogs, which isn’t true. Our doggie loves sleeping and when it rains doesn’t even want to walk.
What expressions have you learned? I’m still learning my pooch’s expressions, they are different to other dogs.
Agreed, my cockapoo is definitely a LOT more high energy!
Well Brody cannot pee without clawing the earth to cover it up (I know that's generally a dog thing but he literally scrapes massive holes in the ground whilst he's doing it and grunts at the same time haha), the greyhound lean to show affection, and lots of little cries and teeth chatters when he's excited.
I love the greyhound lean! It’s so funny! They remind me of horses or cats, some mix with dog 🤣 Horses can lean too.
The teeth chatters!!! It’s so true!!! My Liath does like these funny smiles when she’s excited and she does do teeth chatters. I hadn’t categorised that yet.
The cat behaviour is she likes to weave when she’s getting stroked, like a cat. Then curls up in a tiny ball when she’s sleeping and it’s cold.
Oh he’s gorgeous!! ♥️🥹
🥹❤️ a real stunner!
This is beautiful. Thank you, Charlie, for sharing. I love dogs as well. We have two of our own and my daughter takes care of dogs as a side job. We get to spend lots of time with many dogs who visit for a day or a weekend. I love it.
I find it much easier to practice loving others with dogs than with people. As I've been learning to love myself and others more, I find that the dogs I'm around give me immediate feedback on how they feel and what they sense. This is helping me to be more aware of how I express myself towards them so they are calm and enjoy being around me--as much as I love being around them.
Somehow, I trust dogs more than most humans. I know that the dogs don't put up masks or pretense. Instead, they are genuine and present in the moment. I also know when it's safe or not safe to be around a dog. This feels refreshing. Humans are not as predictable.
This post made me warm and fuzzy inside.
This is beautiful, thank you Charlie. <3
🥰❤️