Keep Calm &
Listen to Your Heart
We all have bad days. Some people even have bad weeks, months, or not-so-great years—2020 is certainly a major contender for many people’s worst year ever. I’ve had more than my fair share of times when I’ve felt like things just weren’t going my way. I’ve wondered if some black cloud was following me around waiting to shower me with another rainfall or thunderstorm, when all I wanted was for a rainbow to finally come out and show me that sunny days were ahead.
One night, after a long stressful day, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t seem to calm my mind. I had so much on it—worries, fears, and a whole lot of uncertainties about all sorts of things going on in my life. I was uneasy and restless. As I tried to distract myself with chores, routines, and entertainment, I just couldn’t clear my mind. That’s when I decided to make it an early night—well, sort of. I went into my bedroom and decided that a little rest and relaxation might come if I could distract myself by watching some lighthearted television. Riley joined me on the bed, pushing her little body closer and closer to me, looking for that perfect cuddle position.
When the first commercial break came on, I leaned over to Riley, who was leaning up against my left shoulder and into the curve of my neck. “Get in where you fit in,” I said to her, half expecting her to smirk or giggle in response. I felt the warmth of my furry little best friend against my skin and could smell her unmistakable sweet-smelling scent—wonderfully fresh and clean. She smelled like happiness. A smile finally crept across my lips. I had been waiting for one all day. I rested my head on her back, ever so gently so as not to put any unwelcome pressure on my girl.
We were both perfectly content and in the most comfortable position either of us had probably been in all day. My left ear was pressed against her soft body when suddenly I became entranced by the most beautiful sound...a gentle “thump, thump,” her heart beating in time ever so perfectly. I could feel her whole body, all six pounds of her, tenderly rising and falling in a constant and perfect rhythm as she quietly inhaled and exhaled. I turned off the television to avoid any noisy interruptions. I was amazed by how loudly I could hear every breath Riley took and was surprised by the fact that my own breathing also began to slow down, automatically falling into sync with hers.
Finally, I was calm. Finally, I could think of nothing other than how beautifully perfect and soothing the sound of her heartbeat was. I had a flashback to the first early morning of the day after I adopted Riley, when she lay in her crate only steps from my bed, crying, unable to sleep. I couldn’t bare the thought of her feeling sad or confused and didn’t want her to cry herself to sleep, so I picked her up and laid her on my chest. I had read somewhere that puppies are comforted by the sound of a heartbeat, reminding them of their mother. In a matter of seconds, Riley had fallen asleep on my chest and I quicky followed suit.
There we were, eleven years later, and I was the one who found comfort from listening to Riley’s heartbeat. Before I knew it, I fell asleep. When we awoke the next morning, Riley and I were in almost the exact same position. I laid still, not wanting to disturb her, as I positioned my left ear against her body so that I could hear that sweet sound once again. I silently counted my blessings and thanked Riley for reminding me of the most important things in life. As always, she had brought me a sense of calm and serenity that I desperately needed. I knew it was going to be a better, more stress-free, day as I made a conscious decision to not let my worries, fears, and anxieties get the best of me.
Riley had reminded me to listen to my heart and simply make the best and most informed decisions I could about all that had been weighing on me. I felt such gratitude for how safe and secure she had once again made me feel. In an otherwise silent and still state, I was totally at peace. As I listened only to Riley’s heart, it reminded me that in order to feel content and calm in my life, I also had to listen to my own.