Kit

This little bundle of fur is teaching me about myself. 

Her name is Kit.

She is scared of a lot of things, not too easily trusting of people, likes dogs, and is fierce in her being. 

She reminds me of me. 

Background on Kit: we adopted her from Bluegrass Bully Rescue. At the time of this writing she is 6 months old and is a mutt. We’re thinking beagle, dachshund, spaniel mix. Who knows? She is cute and that is what saves her most days! 

This past summer I had the opportunity to write five articles for BodyMind Living Magazine and one of our topics was “Navigating Change.” In that article I wrote that navigating change is usually about me navigating my resistance. When change is coming from outside of me, something I have to adapt to, I initially resist it. I’ve learned that once I come up with a personal reason to go along with the change, then I’m more able to adapt to it. 

Kit is kinda similar. When she encounters something new, like a parked motorcycle with a fabric cover on it, she hunches down and scrabbles away. She pulls on her leash and tries to put as much space between her and it. Sometimes she darts right in front of my feet and causes more problems than if she would simply freeze. We then have to pause and either attempt to let her investigate it (which most times, she does not) or keep moving forward. 

Her reaction to new things in her environment has been an excellent reminder for me to consider my own reactions and if they are in line with the new things I face. Do I have to react with such strong resistance each time? Can I take time to consider things instead of just reacting?

Maybe, GASP, I could take a breath and RESPOND instead of react. Maybe that could work in my favor instead of sending my nervous system into high alert and then having to regulate myself back down.

Hmm, something for me to consider. 

And maybe, you too?

Meanwhile, Kit and her canine brother, Fred and I will continue to take walks and have adventures.