Winter time should be a time to slow down, eat less, sleep more, keep warm, perhaps quietly reflect on the year that has past and the year to come and to prepare for the blossoming of Spring. It is natural for plants and animals in the wild and should be natural for our own animal companions as well. But as I write this on the very day of the Winter Solstice and the season turns from Autumn to Winter there is a flurry of activity in my household as there is every year and no doubt in many other households as well!
I know that on this cold Sunday morning our dogs would be more than happy to curl up on top of my husband feeling the warmth of his body and snuggled in blankets. Instead, there is chaos, excitement, anticipation at my house that our dogs feel, experience and react to. The dogs are up and out of bed early with me today so that I can bake, clean, make my twentieth last minute shopping list, wrap gifts, and make preparations to build a gingerbread house. This year we are hosting 14 of my husband's wonderful relatives for Christmas dinner. So I am not quietly reflective - I am quietly anxious instead.
The kids are on their winter break, awake early and have been playing excitedly, talking non-stop (almost squealing) about all the gifts under the tree and plans for Christmas day. And our four wonderful and sensitive dogs reflect their excited, anxious, active humans by running in and out of the dog door barking at nonexistent noises, wrestling each other in the middle of the living room knocking over plants and furniture, and de-stuffing two pillows in the last week. Oh yeah, my husband found my rolling pin for baking on the grass outside yesterday. . . .
Poor dogs. And this is where I want to suggest the gift of acupuncture for your animal companions (and mine) this year. Stress is tough on the immune system and sickness can be the result. Acupuncture causes the release of neuro-chemicals that calm and relax a patient and release the stress of an active December. Tight muscles from tension and activity are eased with acupuncture. The pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis which has a tendency to flare up when the weather cools down and the rain falls can be relieved with acupuncture. Acupuncture is wonderful for aiding the body's natural response to re-balance with the seasonal change.
Funny- I have settled down myself as I write this and quietly reflect on how my life and mood affect our dogs and would you believe it - all four of the dogs are now curled up in bed together.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
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