The Creative Nest

Let’s talk about dog anxiety… but specifically, the kind that shows up around food. Because apparently, some dogs don’t just eat —they emotionally process every meal like it’s a life event. And yes, I’m talking about Bear. Now tell me—does your dog get weird about food? Not just excited (because that’s normal), but like… deeply concerned about the entire situation? Because Bear? Oh, he has thoughts. Big ones. You would think this dog has experienced famine in a past life the way he reacts. We’re talking pacing, hovering, checking in, circling back, and then checking again—just in case the food has mysteriously disappeared in the last 30 seconds. Sir… it’s in the same place. It has always been in the same place. And don’t even get me started on timing. If dinner is even slightly off schedule? The anxiety kicks in like, “Excuse me, I noticed we are running behind. Should I be worried? Are we okay? Is this the end?” Meanwhile, the bowl is literally being prepared. It’s funny, but it’s al...

There are moments when I look at my dogs and genuinely wonder if my heart is about to pound right out of my chest. Not metaphorically. I mean literally. Like someone might have to explain later that I simply loved my pets too much and my body couldn’t handle the emotional overload. It’s absurd when you really think about it. These little creatures spend a good portion of their day doing things like barking at invisible threats, sniffing the exact same patch of grass fifteen times, and occasionally trying to eat something that absolutely should not be eaten. Yet somehow, they still manage to look at us with those faces and suddenly we are completely undone. One minute they’re being mildly chaotic. The next minute they’re curled up next to you, breathing softly, looking completely innocent as if they have never committed a single questionable act in their entire lives. And that’s when it hits. That wave of love so strong it feels like your chest might actually burst. I’m convinced this i...