Two weeks ago, I had a deeply touching conversation with a client. Her dog tends to go off on her own during walks – something that had left the human a little unsure. Why is she doing that? Is she not interested in me? Why doesn’t she come back when I call?
In our communication, the dog shared a clear and heartfelt message:
“I want to do something together with you. If you’re not really with me, I might as well go my own way.”
What a wise and loving impulse.
Because what she desires is not control. Not constant obedience or walking by her side just to please.
What she longs for is connection. Shared experience. Presence.
And that’s where we can all take a gentle moment of reflection:
Are we truly present when we’re with our animals?
So often, we walk next to them in body – but our mind is somewhere else entirely.
Our thoughts are wrapped around work, a to-do list, a worry from yesterday or tomorrow. We’re moving, but we’re not truly seeing what’s around us – in the world, and in our bond with our animal.
Animals notice this.
They feel whether we are truly present – or just going through the motions. And they respond accordingly.
Just like we would.
This doesn’t only apply to dogs.
Horses, too, are incredibly attuned to our inner state.
Sometimes we may be physically close – grooming, leading, riding – yet still mentally distant, caught in worries or tension instead of trust and connection.
✨ Maybe during your next walk or visit to the stables, you want to gently ask yourself:
Am I really here, with you?
Am I open to what you’re showing me in this moment?
These little shifts in awareness can change everything.
Because our animals are always ready to connect – if we open the space for it.
Not out of duty, but from a place of genuine being-together.
From heart to heart,
Tanja