Crikey – what does that even mean? I cry at Hallmark commercials. Does that mean I’m too emotional? I also cry when I’m happy, and when something touches me deeply. Does that make me weird? (Some might shout a hearty “YES!”).
Here’s something to know about your animals. They’re emotional too. Don’t let your cat fool you – beneath that cool exterior beats the heart of a total moosh. Dogs may seem over the top with their emotions. Horses are a total mystery to us predators – prey animals just think differently than we do. And who knows what that snake is feeling? I’ll bet a snake loving person could tell you.
The thing is, our emotional state gets picked up by our animal friends. That’s why, when you get home from work and you’re wiped out, or worse, in a terrible mood because something happened at the office that you’re struggling to deal with, and you “put on a happy face” your animal friend will most likely call “foul!” And do all manner of things – act out. Hide. Become totally submissive. Poop on the floor. (I can tell you right now that horses are the best lie detectors in the world, when it comes to our emotions – don’t even TRY to put on bravado when you’re quaking in fear, or pretend you’re happy when your soul is being ripped in two – they know, and they act accordingly. Be honest, and they’re right there with you.)
In my mind, there is no such thing as being “too emotional.” That’s something we picked up from the people around us – “hey, there’s no crying in this family.” Owning that emotion, being aware of it, and allowing yourself to process it is far more important – and your animal friend will be right there with you.
Now, I’m not condoning fits of rage directed at others, especially our animal friends. That is a bad behavior. But acknowledging that you’re angry and channeling that anger into something that won’t mind if you hit it (my pillow is usually pretty amenable – and sometimes a really fast walk does the trick), and letting it go, is much better than hanging on to it.
Be honest with your animal friend. If you come home in a mood, say so. Ask for their help. Let them be a sounding board while you work things out (notice that I said SOUNDING board, not HITTING board, or ABUSING board – let the anger out some other way, and then ask your animal friend to assist you in coming back to balance). And always remind your animal that whatever emotion they may have helped you release, THEY can release. Ask them to let it go, through their paws, or hooves, or skin, right into the ground, where it will be transformed into something beautiful and put back into the world. When they hang on, it can make them sick – just like hanging on to stuff makes US sick.
I have never met an animal that didn’t appreciate being kept in the loop about what’s going on in the house – be it happy, sad, or somewhere in between. They want to be involved. They love to have us cry into their fur (even the ones who act like they don’t like it? They do. They just aren’t sure how to show you.) Just make sure you remind them to release.
Emotion is a good thing. Allow it. And watch how you owning how you’re feeling changes how your animal friend relates to you. It’s awesome.
Reflections from Harmony’s Heart 