Being an introvert, social distancing has been a lot easier on me than my extrovert friends. Perhaps I should describe my version of introvert:
- Things going on in my head are usually more compelling than things going on around me
- I need lots of time alone
- I really like people – both my people and people in general – but I get very tired around them after a short time
- and, most of all, during a crisis I turn inward while my extrovert friends seek others.
In my definition (or read about Myers-Briggss definition) I think of introvert as just another way to be, but I think of shy as having difficulties being around others. That makes me an introvert, but not shy.
Meanwhile, my dog, Simon, appears to be an introvert – but in dog language that might translate to submissive. He is not afraid of other dogs but would be reluctant to push himself on another dog. For Simon, if the play stance doesn’t get a dog to play with him, he walks away. This is my first dog that is an introvert and I find it’s fascinating to see the similarities in Simon and me.
My time spent at home, with my husband (Fred) and Simon, has been pretty awesome for us all (Fred is also an introvert). There has been time for small projects, time for reading, time for thinking – but I have most appreciated the time for thinking. And Simon has been with me the entire time. I know animals understand our moods, but I’ve been watching Simon understand the general context of my thoughts. When I start thinking of ways I can help, I watch Simon watching me. When I start thinking of what to cook for supper, I see Simon ignoring me. And when I start getting irritated over something I hear on the news, Simon really sits up and watches me.
But yesterday was the most interesting. I spent some time connecting with my bearded dragon, Lizzy. Lizzy died more than two weeks ago (click here to read more about Lizzy) and I’ve been waiting to connect. [And for those with doubts, yes, we can communicate with our animals that have passed.] Lizzy is happy and still calls me Mama – not a name anyone in the house ever gave me! But even more interesting, and wonderful, was Simon while I communicated with Lizzy. He was up at attention, eyes wide, totally engrossed in me. If a pork chop rolled into the room he would have ignored it. And this is because animals all communicate with each other. Simon was always close to Lizzy. I don’t actually know if he has connected with her since her passing (probably something I should find out) but he definitely knew that I was tuned in to Lizzy.
I still have periods of sadness concerning the loss of Lizzy, and the day that I connected with her left me both happy (for her) and sad (for me). A few tears after I disconnected from Lizzy and Simon was right back to feeling my sadness and looking for ways to make me feel better. Where would we all be without our pets.