Sometimes Healing Comes From the Most Unexpected Sources

This piece is in response to the July “compliments” prompt at Spread the Ripple.

The Spread the Ripple pub, owned by my Medium friend Ali Hall, is hosting a series of monthly prompts and I was inspired by the July one that goes like this:

“Compliments hold the power to empower. Tell us about a time you have given, or received a compliment. How did this exchange make you feel?”

Many of you have expressed interest in knowing more about me but I tend to shy away. It is deliberate, not only for privacy reasons but sometimes, just sometimes I fear that you may find me totally different from how you perceive me to be.

A lot of it has to do with the gas lighting I was subjected to in a previous relationship. I was never good enough, smart enough, pretty enough, sweet enough and what have you.

I was also called wicked and selfish.

Simply because I chose to stop believing in lies anymore and for standing up for myself.

Even though that happened a long time ago and am slowly healing with the help of my support group, processing my emotions through writing and experiencing new things every day that makes me see clearly that those were just lies, there are days when I feel I take one step forward and ten steps back.

Recently, I was able to visit my parents after 6 long years. It was deeply saddening to me to see them age as if overnight. But I was happy to see that they have a lovely new companion, a dachshund named Sandy.

They’ve had Sandy for three years now and it was my first time getting to meet this energetic, little bundle of joy.

Surprisingly, she seemed instantly besotted with me.

How can that be, I wondered?

The funny thing is once she laid eyes on me, she completely ignored my parents and would follow me around all day, everywhere! She would paw at my door and whine when I went to bed and would faithfully wait outside without going far for a potty break out of fear that she would miss me.

She also loves to crawl on her belly and look at me with huge puppy eyes and just the tip of her tongue sticking out whenever I’m near which I find very endearing.

My father says she is resorting to puppy tactics to get my attention 😍

I was baffled. I still don’t get it as I’ve never experienced something like this before.

My father seems to think that Sandy is familiar with my voice from the phone conversations I constantly have with my parents so she can associate them with me, that I am family.

My close friend and long-time pet owner, Josie, however, had a slightly different opinion:

She said dogs can somehow sense genuine kindness in a person and are drawn to them.

I tore up then…still crying as I type these words.

Those profound words and this sweet dog’s actions magically erased the shame and hurt that I have never spoken about.

Do you have a story of how a pet healed you? Do share in the comments, I’d love to hear it!

To check out Spread The Ripple’s monthly prompts, please see the link below

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