I have no idea what my dog suffered in the first four years of her life. I know when she came to live with us she reacted with aggression to any sudden sound or new person. She paced the house, struggling to settle, to be calm. We told her over and over, “you ARE safe.” And slowly, so slowly she seems to be beginning to believe us. She has begun to touch her nose to my hand at random times as if to check-in and make sure I’m still there. That she is still loved and she is still safe. The other morning she did it as I stood in the kitchen and I realized I’m no different than her. At times my body feels unsafe because I have suffered and struggled. I need to hear from myself and those I trust that I AM safe and it’s ok to check-in and get reassurance that I’m still loved, I’m not alone.