You Are Safe

Over the past few days the dogs in our neighborhood have taken to barking at anything.

Our Bella needs only a little bit of encouragement and she joins the chorus. Sometimes I think she doesn't even know why or what she is barking at.

At these times I have to draw her in very close and tell her "you are safe". She has to lay down, all the way down at my feet. This gives me the opportunity to run my bare foot over the length of her body as I keep repeating to her "you are safe". Even though her eyes remain open and her ears are alert, she trusts me at the moment to tell her she is safe. After awhile she calms down and forgets the ruckus outside.
If we could only learn this lesson.