Welcome.
Find a quiet place where you and your dog can be together without being interrupted.
If your dog wants to lay close,
Let them.
If they want a little space,
Let them have that too.
This is not about perfect stillness.
This is about safety.
Place one hand on your own heart,
And if it feels right,
Place your other hand gently on your dog's chest,
Shoulder or back,
Wherever they enjoy being touched.
Take a slow breath in and a longer breath out.
Again,
In and out.
Let your shoulders soften,
Let your jaws unclench,
And let your belly relax.
Because your dog feels you,
Not just your words,
But your pace,
Your breath,
Your nervous And right now,
We're choosing slower,
Softer,
Safer.
In your mind's eye,
Imagine a wide,
Open circle around you.
Big enough for you,
Your dog,
And a whole community of loving guardians with their dogs.
This circle is made of warm light,
Not blinding,
Not sharp.
A steady light that says,
You can exhale here.
And quietly invite the dog guardians in.
See them arrive from all directions.
All kinds of dogs.
All kinds of guardians.
Guardians who love dogs with big feelings.
People who understand spirals of overstimulation.
The startled barks,
The anxiety pacing,
The too fast joy.
They come with kindness in their eyes.
No judgment,
No fixing energy,
Just presence.
Each guardian sits down with their dog.
Some dogs curl up close.
Some keep a little distance.
Some are still learning how to settle.
And it's all welcome.
In the center of the circle,
Imagine a gentle flame of calm.
Like a small campfire that doesn't crackle or pop.
Just a quiet glow.
This is the circle of steady hearts.
This is the circle of patient love.
Bring your awareness to your body.
Feel your feet.
Feel the weight of you on the chair.
The floor.
The earth beneath.
Imagine roots growing from the base of your spine.
From your feet.
Down into the ground.
Not forcing.
Not pushing.
Just connecting.
Roots that reach deep into the steady part of the earth.
The part that doesn't rush.
Doesn't panic.
Doesn't get overwhelmed.
And now imagine your dog has roots too.
Even if they're laying down.
Even if they're sitting.
Even if they're wiggling.
Roots from their paws.
Roots from their belly.
Roots from their heart.
Let the earth hold you both.
Breathe in.
And breathe out.
We are going to speak to the body in a language it understands.
Rhythm.
On the next exhale,
Gently lengthen it.
Make the out-breath a little slower than the in-breath.
Breathing in.
Two.
Three.
Breathing out.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
And again.
Breathing in.
Two.
Three.
And breathing out.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
If your dog is listening,
Beautiful.
If your dog is not paying attention at all,
It's also beautiful.
Their system still hears your calm.
Imagine a soft wave of warmth moving from your heart into your hand.
And from your hand into your dog.
Not to change them.
Not to make them behave.
Just to say.
You are safe with me.
I'm here.
I've got you.
Let that warmth spread through their shoulders.
Down their front legs.
Through their ribs.
Into their belly.
Down their back legs.
And all the way to their paws.
If your dog carries worry,
Imagine it like static in their fur.
Tiny sparks of too much.
And then now see a gentle rain of light falling over them.
Soft.
Quiet.
Washing away the static.
No drama.
No force.
Just settling.
In our sacred circle,
All the guardians begin breathing together.
In.
And out.
And as you breathe,
Imagine your dog's energy does not have to hold the whole world alone anymore.
The circle helps carry it.
Some of the pressure lifts.
Some of the tensions softens.
Some of the body's tightness loosens.
If your dog is like Tully,
Full of love,
Full of intensity,
Imagine their big energy becoming organized.
Like a river that stops flooding and finds its banks.
Strong.
Alive.
But guided.
Breathe in.
And out.
Imagine a place where your dog would choose if they could design the perfect calm.
Maybe it's a mossy forest floor.
Maybe it's a quiet living room with a heavy blanket and window.
Maybe it's a sunny patch of grass with no surprises.
Take a moment and see it clearly.
In this place,
Nothing rushes towards them.
Nothing corners them.
No one expects them to be different from what they are.
There is space.
Imagine your dog in that place.
Imagine a soft signal moving through their body.
I can stand down.
I can rest.
I don't have to be on duty.
If they've been hypervigilant,
Let their eyes soften.
If they've been bracing,
Let their muscles loosen.
If they've been holding their breath,
Let them breathe.
And if they can't yet,
That's okay.
We're just practicing.
Very gently,
Speak these words in your mind.
You can say them out loud if you want to.
Just know that these will go and be received by your dog.
I see how hard you are trying.
I see the worry underneath the excitement.
I see the love underneath the chaos.
You don't have to do this alone anymore.
I will be your steady.
I'll be your safe.
I will help your world make sense.
And when you can't settle,
I will lend you my calm.
Just take a pause and breathe.
And let your dog receive that in whatever way they can.
And let's take a moment to thank all the guardians.
And thank our beautiful dogs.
And see them nod to you.
The quiet nod of people who understand.
Not advice and no judgment.
Just you're not alone.
And see the circle light gently move closer.
Becoming a soft bubble around you and your dog.
A simple,
Protective space you can return to anytime.
Start to bring your awareness back to the room.
Feel your dog.
Feel your breath.
Feel the earth beneath you.
And settle into this gentle,
Steady intention.
May my dog feel safe today.
May my dog feel guided today.
May my dog feel loved exactly as they are.
Take a slow breath in.
And a long breath out.
And when you're ready,
Softly open your eyes.
And if your dog wants to move,
Let them.
And if they want to rest,
Let them.
Either way,
The work has landed.
Welcome back.
And welcome home.
