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I got a dog about 6 months ago–it’s the first time I’ve ever cared for an animal in my life. It’s been a fulfilling and fun experience. I care so much for this little fluffy creature!
In Episode 10 of the Highly Sensitive Person Podcast, I talk about how HSPs can have deep connections to animals due to our empathy and ability to pick up on non-verbal signals.
And here’s my dog.
Resources mentioned in the podcast: This post by Dr. Elaine Aron about what HSPs can get from animals.
Related Posts on This Blog:
- Could I handle having a dog?
- Follow-Up: My First Experience Taking Care of a Dog
- Anger is an emotion, too (about getting angry at my dog)
Podcast music attribution: Bust This Bust That (Professor Kliq) / CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Thank you for sharing the picture of your girl; you were meant to be together! I believe that in another year, you will see a significant change in her level of trust and affection. Ignore that silly remark, “don’t baby her.” Caring focus is exactly what is needed.
Thanks Deborah! I read recently where someone said their adopted dog took a year to finally relax. It’s hard for me to think like a dog–why can’t she just relax now, right?! 🙂 Hopefully she improves….she actually seems to be getting worse. But I digress. It’s funny–yesterday she had her best day at the dog park in ages, and I was on a high the rest of the evening!! So strange how it affected me so much. Thanks for listening and the comment!
Good Luck with your lovely dog! I loved your podcast. My dog, Douglas Fur, is an introvert like me who also is HSP. He also was from the shelter and by the time he got to me he was a very anxious boy. My nickname for him is “Little Pesci” as he reminds me a bit of the actor Joe Pesci in Goodfellas. A loose cannon. He doesn’t like all people or kids at all, he’s frightened of a lot of things which make him act out of fear. I have to train the people that come to my house how to interact with him! But I love him and he’s very bonded and loving with me. And boy does he make me laugh! And that’s all that matters. I’ve done rescue for 20 years and I’ve learned a lot about life through the eyes of many animals I’ve come in contact with. And all of them are unique and different and “authentically” who they are. Their example helped me be more like that too! Your site is wonderful.
Hi Lisa! Oh my gosh, our dogs sound so similar!! She is also a rescue, hates kids (just tried to attack one at Starbucks that tried to pet her when I wasn’t looking) Fortunately, she is very small otherwise this would be a much scarier issue! Because of her anxiety/sensitivity I have to be very aware of how I act around her and the situations I put her in. I just fostered another dog recently and it’s very rewarding. I’ve thought about getting into rescue but I fear it would take over my life! (BTW Douglas Fur is the cutest name!!) Thanks for listening to the podcast and commenting! 🙂
Your doggie sounds like my cat, except I’ve had her since she was 6 wks old. She would cower a lot, run away a lot in a new situation, loud people. I feel really close with her, and have even considered my cat as being a sensitive (and thought, why not? I’ve read the trait is in over 100 species, so why not cats or dogs?).
SHE’S ADORABLE <3 I'm melting. Couldn't agree more 🙂 Blessings to you and your pooch.
Aww thank you! Well, I am not responsible for her cuteness, but…well, still, thanks!! 🙂 heh heh.
Hello everyone i hope u all had amazing holidays!!! I recently heard an interview on the overwhelmed brain ft kelly. I immediately related to what she was speaking on! I am so thankful to of heard this and learned that there are others like me. Well so tosay heard this podcast and started crying as soon as kelly started speaking of the Chihuahua. I lost my doggie a chihuahua, his name was Chico, two yrs ago to heart failure. I never experienced anything like losing an animal, a pet, a friend, a son he was all thise things. It was tge hardest thing to go thru ever. Well thats not why i cried it just reninded me of it. I cry alot commercials, movies, real life. Well enough im just super excited and trying to get all out at once lol. Just super happy your all here and can relate! !
Hi Alexandria! Thank you for your nice comment and I’m so glad you like the podcast. I’m so sorry you lost your dog. I can’t even imagine. I cry a lot at commercials and movies, too. I am happy you are here!
for the same reasons, i think being an hsp makes me a better parent. i think it makes parenting harder, more intense, and more exhausting, but at the same time, i’m super in tune with my babies and can empathize and respect them as the little people they are. i think my hsp qualities have bonded me in very deep ways to my kiddos.
As a highly sensitive person, I can’t be around animals too much, as I get too freaked out. Dogs are on the top of my list and would like it if my apartment building would ban dogs from being in the building. They make me skittish. I had a dog jump on me when I was a young kid and has made me skittish as a result.
Animals are my heart. About 4 years ago to almost the day I rescued a 4 lb Chihuahua. She was skittish,sad, and had licked all of the fur off of her feet. She would would burrow in the fleece baby blankets that I put in her fluffy blue bed ,and sleep 24/7. I would bring the food to her. I knew it would take time for her to trust considering how tiny she is and I was willing to do whatever it took to help her. Over time I would notice little things. Like how she would follow me around in the house , or turn in circles when i came through the front door after a long day away from me. The most poignant thing was when the fur grew back on her feet , I cried. I knew at that moment that she was past her fear. Today she is so happy go lucky , and wants to be with me 24/7. I always wonder how such a little tiny soul can trust such a big human. She is so amazing and teaches me so much. I love your story. Thank you for adopting and taking a chance. Your pup will change so much over the years. Love heals. It is the best medicine ♡
My cat is my soulmate. That doesn’t mean she replaces human relationships, but that she’s just like me. Other people have even commented on it. I recently learned that she actually is an HSC. LOL! She recently had a bout of cystitis that was brought on entirely by stress, not by infection. I have tension myoneural syndrome (TMS) which is very similar. Anyway, I wouldn’t know what to do without an animal in my life. I’m so glad to be her friend.
I love animals and feel that it is much easier to connect with, trust, and communicate with animals than it is with people. Their body language makes so much sense to me and there are never confusing mixed messages like people give you. Recently I discovered what it means to be an HSP, and things are falling into place for me a bit more now.