When our pet isn’t feeling well, is scared, or we hear about its difficult past, we often feel sympathy and pity. This is a natural reaction—we care for our pet because we love it. However, this pity doesn’t actually help our pet and can feel uncomfortable for them. Many animals have communicated to me that they don’t want to be pitied, as it makes them feel restricted and doesn’t offer support.
But why is that, and what do our pets need instead?
When we suffer with our pet, our own past experiences and emotions often come into play. We judge what the animal is going through as suffering, assuming we know how it feels. But often, the pet’s experience is entirely different. It might not perceive a situation as negative or as serious as we think. When we are trapped in pity, we close ourselves off from truly understanding what’s going on.
However, when we respond with compassion, we can genuinely sense what our pet is feeling. By tuning into what the animal is actually experiencing, we can provide real support. We recognize its emotions in the moment and give it space to feel. Sometimes, that alone can bring about change. Or we realize what might help our pet and what it truly needs from us.
When we let go of pity, we often discover a new side of our pet and can even learn from it how to handle challenging situations.
Take a moment to reflect on when you encounter your pet with pity and try instead to respond with compassion. Notice if this helps you better understand or support your pet. As always, I’d love to hear about your insights and experiences.
Lots of love for you and your animals
Tanja