Happy Thanksgiving.

As we spend the weekend with friends and family, it’s easy to fall into old familiar patterns. It’s imperative that we remember that we are no longer who we were. We’ve grown. Evolved. We are older and wiser. Our relationships are different this time because everyone in them is different.

I’m reminded of a poem by Alyce Sorokie, the author of Gut Wisdom, Understanding and Improving Digestive Health. It’s timely. I’d like to share it with you.

Chapter 1

I walk down the street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. I am lost… I am helpless. It isn’t my fault. It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I pretend I don’t see it. I fall in again. I can’t believe I am in the same place. But, it isn’t my fault. It still takes me a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I see it is there. I still fall in. It’s a habit. My eyes are open. I know where I am. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street. There is a deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

This is a description of noticing that we may not be aware of what we are doing. We may need to learn to notice, to become aware, and place a higher value on being completely present. We are our own seers. We are in control. We have choices. We are what we think about.

This applies to us. It applies to our canine clients, as well.

• These are the kinds of stressors that dogs address and resolve during, after, and with consistent ongoing PetMassage.
• These are the kinds of stressors that dogs’ owners address and resolve during, after, and with consistent ongoing PetMassage.
• These are the kinds of stressors that we practitioners address and resolve as we become more proficient at providing PetMassage.