Post Election Stress

Dear Grover,

As you know, the humans just elected a new president of the United States. I need your advice, as I have never seen the people I care about so stressed. Can you give me some advice on how to help them calm down? They are so out of sorts, I am getting ignored as well. I will appreciate any advice you can give me.

Respectfully,

Baily in Buffalo

Dear Baily,

Don’t despair, I know how to help. First of all, never underestimate the power we have as dogs to help our humans get calm and back on track. One of the things that always helps Doc when she is stressed is to get her outside to focus on nature. For example, on Monday morning, I woke her up at 6:30am to get her outside so that she wouldn’t miss seeing the big beautiful super moon among all the stars. It’s hard to look at something so spectacular and not be reminded how small we really are in the universe by comparison. It puts things in perspective.

Another thing you can do to help, is divert your humans attention. If trying to get them to play with you doesn’t work, you can always resort to acting up. Every time they turn on one of those 24 hour political news channels, or start arguing with one another you can steal one of their shoes or favorite items and start destroying it in front of them. That will re-focus their attention. I know that may sound radical, but all this emotional chaos requires radical measures.

The most important thing you can do, is to be a good listener. (You would be surprised the things Doc tells me.) The great thing about talking to a dog is that we don’t talk back and give our political opinions. Just look at your human like they are the smartest and most interesting person in the world. You will be surprised how much that will help.

Finally, the one thing I have learned from being a therapy dog is that everyone can do their part by reaching out and helping others. Remind your humans that the smallest gestures can make a difference. We can all engage in kind deeds even if we don’t like the like the president elect.

Watching all of this fusing between humans makes me happy that I am a dog. So hang in their Baily, you never know who the next president may be four years from now. Personally, I  think President Grover has a nice ring to it, don’t you?

Best wishes,

Grover