My Dog-My Teacher in Co-Regulation

Birdy O'Sheedy

10d • ☀️ Community Circle

So here is a confession.

I am an awful sleeper. Like insomniac level.

I wake up if my neighbour four doors down closes his bathroom door.

It impacts my life to the point I dread going to bed.

I have worked for decades on my sleep and pain management, studied it, even taught it.

But then...I have my dog as a daily reminder it's possible to instantly fall asleep.

He can be deep asleep despite falling half off the couch. Snoring while he is a millimetre away from smacking his head on the floor. Not a care in the world.

I want to be more like him.

Like so unbothered that i can fall asleep upside down. 😆

But I do notice when I have a very wobbly day health wise, he grounds me out. He seeks me out to calm my nervous system. He co-regulates me. And I am beyond thankful for that.

Never trained him to do that.

He just offers.

No lecture.

No advice.

Just does and role models.

So deeply deeply grateful for him.

How does your dog regulate you?

Dogs are magic.

Much love,

Birdy 💛

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