You’re not broken…

Image shows a large black-and-white dog laying in grass next to a seated white human wearing green hoodie and teal "dog mom" cap. The two smile as they lock eyes. Sunshine adorns yellow and pink blooms on bushes in the background.

Hey there,

If you’ve ever heard something like this, and felt a pit in your stomach—you’re not alone…

“Your anxiety is making your dog anxious.”
“You have to be a calm leader or your dog won’t listen.”
“If you’re dysregulated, you can’t show up for your dog.”
“You have to fix yourself before you can help your dog.”

Oof. Messages like these tell us our big feelings are wrong—that we’re failing if we shut down, melt down, or need support. That we’re not good caregivers unless we’re perfect.

I call bullshit on all of it!

You are not broken, and you don’t need to be fixed.
Dysregulation is normal. Even necessary.
And you still bring so much good to those you care for, even on your lowest spoon days.

Co-regulation isn’t about being calm or perfect.
It’s about staying connected—even when shit hits the fan—so you and your dog can move through dysregulation together, with compassion and skill.

I’ll tell you a story about the moment I learned to feel this in my bones…

One morning, Muggins and I were enjoying a walk when we saw a jogger and their dog coming up behind us. Muggins watched curiously while I dropped treats on the ground to keep us moving. He was calm, so I wasn’t too worried.

Then the jogger called out:
“I’m hoping he’s tired enough not to react, but… maybe not.”

My gut clenched. I gripped the leash tighter.
Sure enough—the other dog growled and lunged. Muggins lit up and pulled hard toward them. I held on, both our bodies tense.

Then, I remembered something a colleague once told me:
You don’t have to hold it together in a situation that isn’t safe.

That landed hard.
Neither does Muggins!

As the jogger passed and the distance grew, I released the tension in the leash. Muggins surged forward—first toward the scent of the other dog, but then, surprisingly, away from them. I followed.

We ran down the street, sprinting side by side, until we were both out of breath and smiling.

I didn’t try to stop the dysregulation.
Instead, I gave it somewhere to go.
And it led us to safety.

You and your dog get to do that too.
Even when—especially when—it’s messy.

You don’t have to stop the overwhelm.

You get to just meet it and move through it, together.

Ways to Work with Me

Meet the chaos of sensory overload with curiosity and courage, and reshape it into luscious, vibrant moments with your dog.

Build connection, ease, and mutual understanding with your dog.

Reconnect with yourself, your dog, and your deepest sense of peace, one small moment at a time.

Say “yes” to meaningful activities with your dog, on your own terms.

Co-Regulation Tip

Sensory overload / shut downs / meltdowns are not signs that you (or your dog) are broken or a problem,

they are signs that you need support.

Let’s put this idea into action this week by trying a little exercise.

First, just notice—when you feel the tightness rising in your chest, your hands start to fidget, the tears hover behind your eyes, or words suddenly disappear.
Just notice when your dog is pacing, whining, barking, or pulling away.
Then, ask your overwhelm, tension, tears, scream, flapping hands, or nonverbal parts (or ask your dog’s bark, raised hackles, pattering paws, tense body), “What do you need?”
Not—what do you need to stop feeling this?
But—how can I create space for you to exist, just as you are?
This tip was inspired by teachings I received in the Embodied Practitioner Program with Holistic Life Navigation.

Thank you so much for being here.

Please use the code COLLAB to get 10% off any of my offers.

Many thanks for reading this - I look forward to collaborating with you!

In warmth and light,

~ Sharon ~