Gees! What a ride!

Growing up in a home where abuse, criticism, and even racism were normalised, I learnt very early that my value was often determined by other people’s opinions. I was made to feel small, unimportant, and never quite good enough.

But animals saw none of that.

Believe it or not, as a child, it felt like they knew I needed help….

They didn’t judge me. They didn’t care about my mistakes, my struggles, or whether I fit someone else’s expectations. They were simply happy to see me. Can you imagine that! Something was excited to see me!!!!! My heart was happy anytime I saw a wagging tail or a horse trot to me, just because I was there.

When I was sad, they sat with me. When I cried, they stayed. When I needed to vent about the unfairness of anything, they listened without interruption, criticism, judgement or punishment. They offered comfort without asking for explanations.

Looking back, animals became one of my first experiences of unconditional love.

What strikes me when I look back, many of these animals were large and so powerful. They could have hurt me if they wanted to. Yet they never did. They treated me with more kindness, patience, and gentleness than many humans in my life time.

In a world where I often felt unsafe, animals became my safe place.

They taught me that love doesn’t have to be earned. That acceptance can exist without conditions. And that sometimes the deepest healing comes from those who never speak a single word.

❤️🐴🐶