feelings

The Cat Knew

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I worked with dogs and cats for a few years. Oh, the stories I can tell you about dog fights, dog bites, and crazy cats. I use to always think cats were so sweet and cuddly. Some are and some just want their space. Working with dogs and cats I learned that I was more of a dog person.

One thing that I learned from my job was animals can be sweet, but always be cautious of them. You never know what is going to set them off. I would never pet a dog that I didn’t know. I am always on guard especially when out for a walk with my kids and I see a dog that isn’t on a leash. The owner may say that their nice, but you are a new person to them so they may not be comfortable with you.

I had an experience a few weeks ago while walking with my older son. Two stray dogs were walking in my neighborhood. My son loved to see them, but I could tell that they were scared and not wanting anyone to come by them. Sure enough, the bigger dog started barking. Hearing the sound of his bark I could tell he was scared and not happy to see us.
I didn’t want to put us in danger so I turned around.

Fast forward to this morning. I was on a walk with all three of our kids. Our daughter tripped and fell. She started to cry. I tried picking her up, but she didn’t want that. I told her that she could sit in the wagon and she didn’t want to do that either. I told her, “I don’t know what to do to help you then.” As I started continuing to walk a cat ran up to her. I was a little unsure and didn’t want my kids to pet the cat, but the cat just went up to her and rolled around by her feet. They loved seeing the cat and she immediately stopped crying. I’m sure the cat sensed that something was wrong and wanted to help and I was very grateful at that moment that it did.

I am grateful for the experiences that I have had, the good and the bad, working with dogs and cats. They have taught me a lot.

Sharing Feelings

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I heard the most heartbreaking comment from our three-year-old, a day after I cut his hair. I can’t remember how the conversation went, but he told me that no one would talk with him because he got a haircut. It is a challenge to cut his hair, but I felt like I did a good job using the razor and having patience with him as he would scream and move around on the chair.

I wasn’t heartbroken because he thought I did a horrible job cutting his hair; I was heartbroken because he felt like other people wouldn’t like him because of his haircut. It was a random comment from him and maybe he didn’t mean it the way he said it, but it was sad to hear that from him.

It reminded me that we all need to be kind to each other and build up each other’s self-esteem. Everyone has feelings and kids especially are trying to understand those emotions that they are feeling.

It has reminded me to compliment our children even more so that they know just how amazing and loved they are. I also have been trying better to ask our children how they are doing and if they are ok. Sometimes I don’t understand all of what they are saying in their toddler words, but I want them to feel comfortable talking and sharing what they are feeling. So I am always there to listen to them.