Patience, Presence and Pets: Why Healing Takes Time by Christine Barfield

If there is one message our pets are teaching us right now, it is patience.

Every dog and cat I have been working with lately has reminded me of this truth. Many have carried stress or anxiety for months or even years, and their journey to healing is not instant. It takes time. It takes gentleness. It takes presence.

Just like us, our pets’ patterns and behaviours didn’t form overnight. They are the result of past experiences, environments, and the energy they have absorbed along the way. And just like us, it takes time for them to unwind, feel safe, and learn a new way of being.

This is where our role as their humans becomes so important. Our patience creates the space for their healing. When we try to rush or force change, both we and our pets end up frustrated. But when we slow down, breathe, and stay consistent, something shifts. They begin to relax into the safety we are holding for them.

The key is presence.

Presence says, I see you. I am with you. I’m not expecting you to be anything other than who you are right now. That is when healing becomes possible not just for our pets, but for us as well.

If you are on a journey with a pet who is struggling, I invite you to pause and reflect. Notice how far they have already come. Celebrate the small moments of progress. Trust that the change will unfold in its own timing.

Patience is not passive. It is powerful. It is the love and steadiness that tells our pets: You are safe, you are supported, and we will walk this path together.

Christine Barfield is an Intuitive Pet Healer and Guide. She helps your pets find more calm, balance and connection through her Signature PETs Method. She specializes in supporting pets with stress, anxiety, and overall well being, creating a more peaceful life for both you and your pet.

Christine absolutely loves being part of Happy Healthy Women, Newmarket, ON, Trailblazer.

Want to learn more about Christine’s Work?
Visit TheFernAndTheFox.com or follow Her on Instagram & Facebook @thefernandthefox.