Davina HerbertI find that there’s a version of me that mostly only exists around my animals. When I’m with them, I don’t wear the masks that I often wear around other humans. When I’m having a bad day, they will either give me the space to work it out or cuddle to comfort me – depending on their personality. My dog De Brucski never cared when I had a ‘melt down’. He would just sit quietly beside me to give me comfort. I believe that it was that non – judgmental acceptance of me that helped bring me back out of my ‘melt downs’ faster.
I have also been known to do weird and wonderful things around the animals that I wouldn’t do around humans. For example, I have been known to sing at the top of my voice to songs and if I don’t know the words, then I just make them up or keep singing the same verse over and over. They don’t care. When I jump around and dance, they don’t critique my dancing style or indeed if I should be dancing at all – in fact, the younger dogs often want to join in. I find that there is a freedom with my animal companions to express myself in spontaneous ways that I would reserve for only the closest of friends and family. See I am reserved around people that I don’t know. I am not an extravert by nature and will keep my thoughts to myself until I know someone very well. Yet, with my animals, I feel comfortable to express myself from the time they join the family. Sometimes in that very act of talking to my beloved animal companions about deep and personal things (or even trivial things, or things that I would be embarrassed to express to another person), I gain insight, clarity and acceptance. Then I am able to release what was bothering me or find a solution to move forward. When my Dad was sick and dying, Doll (my mare) was a great support for me. I was able to talk to her about the struggles I was facing and that allowed me a means of release, which was a huge comfort for me. My Mum really struggled with Dad’s health issues, so I couldn’t talk to her about how I was feeling because I didn’t want to add to her burdens. Doll listened, but didn’t let me wallow. She gave me subtle nudges when I had to get my ‘act’ together and stopped me from going down the energetic rabbit hole of despair. With her I didn’t have to pretend that I had my ‘act’ together and that I was ok with everything going on. I could be upset, uncertain and just not know the next step forward. The gift that Doll gave me was the space where I could work it all out and drop my masks.
Do you want to add more freedom, honesty, fun and reflection in your life? Your relationship with your animal can help you to stop pretending and get in touch with yourself again. If you’re curious about what your relationship with your animal can open up for you, you can explore my work in animal communication and the human–animal bond at https://thepetenergytherapy.com
Davina Herbert is an Animal Communicator, Sacred Transition Facilitator, author and speaker whose work explores the transformational relationship between people and their animal companions. With 18 years of professional experience, she helps people deepen their connection with their animals, navigate grief and transition, and become curious about what these important relationships may reveal about themselves. Davina works with clients worldwide via Zoom.
Gerard Bini
Lisa Brough
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