giving back
Giving Back to Your Animal
Most of us have heard how much animals give to the people who love them. They reduce stress, help regulate our emotions, and offer steady companionship in a world that often feels unpredictable. For many people, their animal is the most consistent source of comfort in their daily life.
But it is worth pausing to ask a simple question:
What are we giving back to them?
Of course, we provide food, shelter, exercise, and care. We make sure they are safe and physically comfortable. But emotional support matters too. Animals live very close to our energy. They notice when we are tense, upset, distracted, or overwhelmed. They also notice when we are calm, present, and affectionate.
Our daily stress does not stay neatly contained inside us. It follows us home from work, shows up in our tone of voice, or settles into the way we move through the house. Animals are sensitive to these emotional shifts, and over time, it can affect them.
This is not about guilt or trying to be perfectly positive all the time. Life is complicated, and difficult emotions are part of being human. The goal is simply to become more aware of the emotional atmosphere we bring into our animal’s world.
Small changes can make a big difference.
If you have had a stressful day, take a moment before you walk through the door. Pause, breathe, and let some of that tension go. When you greet your animal, try to do it with warmth and presence, even if the day has been hard.
If something is weighing heavily on you, it can help to acknowledge it out loud. A gentle explanation, spoken with kindness, reassures your animal that your mood is not their fault. The tone of your voice alone can be very comforting.
Feeding time is another simple opportunity for connection. Instead of rushing through it, slow down for a moment. Let it be a small ritual of care. Speak to your animal, offer a kind word, or simply be present with them while they eat.
Animals often spend much of their day waiting for the moments they get to share with us. Those moments do not have to be long or elaborate. What matters most is the quality of the connection—calm, patient, and full of genuine affection.
When we make an effort to bring more kindness, patience, and awareness into our interactions, the relationship deepens naturally. And if you ever feel curious about what your animal might be experiencing emotionally, I am here to help you explore that connection more fully.