Some of my best friends are the stray dogs that live in my community. There are 5 in total, and one of them is a complete love bug. Her name is Cherry, and she is a young female of deep brown color. Cherry is a doe eyed beauty with the softest gaze and warmest embrace who thinks I’m her mother. For some reason, Cherry and I have a special bond. She finds her way to me on every walk regardless of the hour or day. On November 27th, 2023, Cherry became a first-time mother to five puppies. In this week’s blog, I share how witnessing the delivery was a reminder that all of us are innately well-equipped and resilient to follow our true calling. If we follow our instincts and do what feels right, we are bound to find and live our destiny.
I first noticed a change in Cherry’s physique upon my return from a trip abroad. I knew in a heartbeat that she was pregnant. It was stunning to watch her body transform for the duration of her pregnancy. Her belly became lower and heavier; her nipples more pronounced; and she had a more cautious gait. I had a vague idea of her delivery period, but I couldn’t have known for certain.
Lo and behold, she caught me by surprise when she delivered this week. I happened to be on a walk when she found me and led me to her nesting space. She was showing signs of discomfort, so I followed her. Within a few minutes, I witnessed the first pup emerge. It was one of the most miraculous experiences of my life. In typical Chaitni fashion, the initial words out of my mouth were, “Oh shit, this is happening!” The birthing process was inexplicably fascinating, but, more than that, it was her demeanor that captivated me.
All I want is for Cherry and her babies to be healthy and safe. In exchange for a daily meal, loving words, and affection, I get unconditional love from Cherry. She takes a walk with Coco and I making sure we are out of harm’s way.
Like my bond with Cherry, you also have such well-wishers in your lives. These personal champions are people and loving animals who support you through thick and thin without asking for much in return. Call them guardian angels, benefactors, support system, or all of the above. Regardless of the titles, they exist. All you have to do in return for their love and support is hold on to them dearly. It’s this exchange of emotions that allows for experiences of kindness, gratitude, and tenderness.
As I witnessed Cherry give birth, I realized that she made the entire process seem so effortless and intuitive. Undoubtedly, she was experiencing pain, but that didn’t stop her from doing her part. I felt so helpless watching her and not knowing how to make her more comfortable. I could tell she was trying to understand the process herself, but she was figuring it out one step at a time.
Like Cherry, you and I inherently know how to follow our dreams. We know the decisions to make and the road to take in times of uncertainty. We know when to leave a toxic relationship or a worthless job. We know when to take that leap of faith and risk the possibility of losing everything only to gain it all back. We know. So, what holds us back from acting on this intuition and knowledge? The fear of what if. If we remain focused, self-aware, and act, we can quell those fears. By the time Cherry’s third puppy arrived, she knew exactly what she was doing. She knew how to clean the baby, keep it warm, and attach it to her nipple for nourishment.
I was astonished at how Cherry found a safe spot for her delivery and knew whom to trust. When I went on my evening round to feed the stray dogs, she made sure to holler for me. She was walking funny and refused any food. When she wobbled away, I had a feeling something was amiss. I sat with her for a while trying to comprehend the situation. As she curled up into a ball, I did my best to soothe her. Within a few minutes, she stood up and pushed out her first baby.
Like Cherry, we know when to protect ourselves. We sense danger acutely. Whether we choose to act on our gut instincts is a whole different story. In our desperate need to feel loved and wanted, sometimes we ignore the red flags in our personal and professional lives. Nevertheless, we eventually learn to safeguard our needs before we can be of service to anyone else. We wise up to have our needs met and walk away from anyone or any situation that fall short of that benchmark.
As an animal lover, every dog has a special place in my heart. Every one of them is unique and precious, and I have endless love for them. Cherry is no different. I’ve used her motherhood to convey that we are all inherently strong, able, and powerful. Cherry symbolizes the potential and possibilities within all of us. So, whether you’re a dog lover or not, I hope you recognize your instincts and act on them confidently.
As always, I am here to support you all the way, my brave soul. I hope you keep in touch with your stories, thoughts, and feedback. If you wish to learn more, please stop by www.imperfectbodies.com. Lastly, if you enjoyed this information, then please share it with others.
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All the best,
Chaitni