My first dog, Wally, was a role model of relaxation. If only I could--like Wally--get worked up only when a real threat exists. If I could just relax the rest of the time.
I could see Wally's peacefulness in his body. I could feel it when I'd pet him and his skin moved so freely and loosely under my hand. I could not imagine him tensing up unless there were strangers or unfamiliar sights or sounds that might pose a threat.
As I've been working the last few months on relaxing deeply several times a day, I've more often noticed myself needlessly tensing muscles when walking, driving, talking, working. At these times, I'll consciously loosen up and it NEVER makes me less effective at whatever I was trying to do. But I've got a long way to go before I can match the natural calm of a dog.
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