I would like you to think I’m a perfect animal guardian, since I’m an animal communicator. Sadly, that’s not true.

Getting Pee Wee as a gift

Back in the late 70s, I was stationed at the Naval Communication Station in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The Chaplain gave me a “sato*,” a street dog named Pee Wee.

He also gifted me a book on getting sober. Uhh, what??? I didn’t have a clue what he was trying to communicate – that I should cut out alcohol and focus my energies on being a good guardian to Pee Wee.

Animal guardian grade: C-

Looking back, I give myself a C- at best for Pee Wee’s care. My Mom and Dad took Pee Wee when I received orders to Yokosuka, Japan, thank goodness. And the Chaplain’s hint about sobriety finally paid off. I’ve been sober since 1981.

Animals’ behaviors can keep us from being perfect animal guardians

If you’re ready, just admit it. Animals’ behaviors can trigger us. There are many reasons for this. Maybe they require more care than we expected. Or some behaviors are difficult to deal with – barking, pulling on the leash, not using the litterbox, pulling hair or feathers out.

I bet you can think of a few other behaviors that triggered you. And when they occurred, maybe you reacted in ways you weren’t thrilled about.

What do we do?

If you’re worried that your animal is mad at you, let that worry go. In my experience, animals don’t hold grudges.

But they might be anxious in response to our imperfect responses to their behaviors. For your peace of mind and resetting the relationship, consider taking the following actions.

1. First, forgive their behavior, as soon as you can. I’m not saying you accept it. But let go of the strong, negative emotions. When you do this, you can more easily search for solutions.
2. Next, forgive your own behavior because you’re human and mess up.
3. Apologize to your animal for whatever you did or did not do. On a deep (soul) level, they will understand you.
4. Promise them you will work to do better.
5. Look at how you can change going forward. Think about what you might do differently. Or how you could shift your mindset about the issue.
6. Find a good animal professional (trainer, behaviorist, veterinarian, animal communicator) would might give you more resources to deal with your animal’s behavior.

Animal who have passed on

When I became an animal communicator, I took those steps with Pee Wee, even though she had passed on. By acknowledging my shortcomings and promising to do better now, I released a lot of guilt. And became a better, still imperfect guardian.

Don’t want to tackle this by yourself?

Schedule a session with Maribeth

*Learn about The Sato Project, which has a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator.