Day 1381

Last night, I crawled into the “puppy playroom” in our living room and instantly became part of a “Puppy Pile.” Hank and Charlie rarely sleep without huddling together and, as I sat on the floor, they almost sleepwalked over to settle on my legs. It was the best feeling!

As an educator, I quickly learned that there were two kinds of children. There were those who craved touch and the others found it to be uncomfortable. The vast majority loved a hand on their shoulder or offered me a quick hug as they entered or left the classroom each day. That was certainly the norm, but a few children would stiffen up when any attempt was made to physically connect. Even high fives were repelled. I worried about those little guys asking myself what might have happened (or not happened) in their young lives to create such distance.

As the year would progress, almost every child would let their defences down and open up to some degree. I realized it was related to trust and safety, so created an atmosphere where children knew they could trust me and the environment we shared. It allowed them to learn and simply be themselves .

It seems that children, dogs and humans in general, crave that feeling of safety and trust. Once they let their guard down, learning, loving and living can thrive. Creating that ambiance for others, no matter what the connection, is essential for all growth.

Sitting in that Puppy Pile gave me the deepest feeling of acceptance and love. Offering that feeling to others is a gift we can all give.