What I Learned From Massaging Dogs

I am thrilled by Linda’s work. As well as offering us extraordinary guidance toward reconnecting with the animal world, she shows us how to be more fully alive as human beings, by reawakening our faculty for touching. This is a great healing gift — to humans, to animals, and to Mother Earth.
— Paul Winter

The above quote refers to the work of Linda Tellington-Jones. I’ve used her Ttouch method at the local animal shelter, most recently with Clyde, shown in the before and after pictures on the left. As I mentioned in Finding and Bringing Joy over at Cheerful Monk, Clyde was vulnerable but trusting when I first gave him the Ttouches. He trembled the whole time, but he leaned against me for reassurance rather than trying to pull away. By the end of the first session he was smiling, and by the second session he was asking for more. That’s a common reaction, and I’m happy to oblige. The fact is, I get as much out of the sessions as the dogs do. They make me feel centered and fully alive.

Another nice thing about the touches…I can give them to myself when I start losing that feeling of centeredness and I don’t have time to go to the shelter. That isn’t as satisfying as connecting with another creature, but it’s a great method of self-care. You might try it yourself and see if it works for you.

What methods of self care do you use? What do you do to feel fully alive? Please share your thoughts and experience in the comments section.

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5 Responses to What I Learned From Massaging Dogs

  1. bikehikebabe says:

    When I go to bed if I don’t feel calm, I run my fingers lightly through my hair & across my face & this relaxes me. That’s my own “touch method”.

  2. Jean says:

    🙂 Thanks for sharing your method, bikehikebabe. That’s what this site is all about. I’ll see if your method works for me, too. I can use all the tools I can get.

  3. Shirley says:

    Great article! I just heard about this machine recently so your review is very timely. I agree that it could be very beneficial, especially if you enjoy it in a light-hearted way and use it as yet another tool to help you relax. I would love to try various meditation and relaxation techniques and use it as a gauge to help me see the results. Thanks for sharing!

  4. Shirley says:

    Opps – disregard those comments above – they were few your Stress Eraser article.

    As for the massage, I agree that there is something wonderfully invigorating about touching another creature. Even a small touch like holding the hand of an ill friend, or giving someone a long, full 20 second hug can make you feel full of love. Giving often makes the giver feel just as good as the recipient. :0)

  5. Jean says:

    Shirley,
    🙂 Thank you so much for coming by. I saw my sister and brother-in-law on this trip and one of the highlights was giving them (and getting) big hugs when we said goodbye. I’m still high from it. I’m definitely a hugger!

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