Love Languages, Gratitude and Presence
Making interactive time more pet-sonal can open the door to learning each pet’s unique blend of love language. You too can start by finding the unique activities your crew individually enjoys.
With a recent group, it was observing and connecting to learn first-hand as often the animal beings are different with me than their family members. Prior to this two-week experience, we had seen each other for eight visits over eleven months and it had been nine months since those visits.
During the first visits over 2022 and 2023, I saw the elder daily in the open, and hit or miss with the other two - not only did we learn about one another, but we all grew closer in understanding and in being present together.
One enjoyed brushing and one-on-one pets more so than treats…her love language touch/connection.
With an elder, it was connection with a squeezable treat plus access to the garage. The squeezable often was the prelude to her eating breakfast/dinner which her parent often said she had to bring it to her or sometimes she’d not eat.
With a third, it was a crunchy treat surprise in her food bowl and providing her with the space she needed to feel safe with being seen and being nearby
With all they enjoyed the Reiki together and solo.
They each responded to these interactions differently. Each chose to offer gratitude in return in the way they felt. Note, this is not requested by me, but I have learned it is a sign of mutual respect.
The one who liked brushing would jump up beside me to sit on my lap and offer her own version of energy healing through what I will call Purr-therapy for as long as I was willing to sit with her in a present space.
For the elder, it came in other ways often through a verbal chat in which I might ask her to return back inside from her garage time in 15 minutes - and she always did.
The third was working through being at ease around me and she would often show her enjoyment by laying nearby during the presence sessions.
Each found their own path to connection while I found ways to address their love languages. We all have one, two or a blend - your pets included.
With this crew, we built a stronger relationship during these visits. It was one that we walked through their emotions of homesickness with their family being away longer than ever before - and those of a complex feeling of being both excited for the return and a sadness over the change in our connecting and relating daily together.
Friendships are special bonds regardless of who these are with; change is difficult, the love is there always even when apart.
