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Sometimes when Jon Snow defies my commands, I get frustrated. I know he understands what I want him to do, but sometimes he chooses not to obey. I wear powerlessness like a hair-shirt. But something occurred to me today as he was disregarding my command to “sit” at an intersection. There were a lot of cars buzzing by and noisy traffic. It occurred to me that maybe he was just scared. So I knelt down and took him in my arms. I cradled him and spoke to him in a soothing voice. Immediately he sat down and started lapping me up. I realized then that what I interpret as “defiance” is sometimes just fear, and the moment I create a sense of safety for him, he becomes compliant.
Funny thing, I’m kinda like that too.
#MyDogMakesMeABetterPerson
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Photo courtesy of the author.