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A Poem for Reactive Dog Mums

Woman standing with her dog, both watching their surroundings in a large woodland surrounded by trees.

This one’s for you. The early mornings, the U-turns, the smile you hold in place while something inside you quietly deflates. It can be a lonely place. We are here. When you’re ready to Escape the Everyday.

The world sees a dog who is loud or afraid,
But we see the patience and plans that you’ve made.
From the lunges and barks and scans of the street,
To the early, cold mornings and mud on your feet.

You’re out in the dawn before others awake,
And back in the shadows when it’s quite and late.
Not for the ease or the path you would take,
But love, and a promise you’re proud not to break.

Woman in rain jacket walking small dog on lead in early hours, along empty wet residential street in the UK.

You read every twitch and know their fine line,
The flick of an ear or a breath held too tight.
You’ve mastered their language, each signal and sign,
To keep their whole world feeling safe and just right.

You’ve ducked behind bushes, used parked cars as shields,
Turned around and retreated through rain-soaked fields.
You’re the keeper of space and the guardian of calm,
Quiet and faithful, to keep them from harm.

You’ve smiled through the comments and weathered the glare,
From people who judge or just aren’t aware.
You’ve bitten your tongue, you’ve shouldered the blame,
For the soul that you love, just as they came.

Woman walking reactive dog on lead in wet park while off-lead dogs approach in the distance.

So, here’s to the dog mums who do it with grace,
Who make the whole world a much kinder place.
We raise a glass, and your dogs raise a paw,
To the love that is quiet, yet fierce to the core.

Woman sitting on wooden bench with off lead dogs, looking out over lush green valley and woodland at Holiday With Your Dogs Wales.

If this is your world, you’ve found your place. Holiday With Your Dogs was built for exactly this — a retreat where you and your dog can finally relax.

You can read more about The Barn and Grounds. The 22 acres of land that comes exclusively with your holiday is called Parc yr Hiraeth. Hiraeth is a special Welsh word with no direct English translation. You can read about it here: The Heart of Holiday With Your Dogs. We think you’ll understand why it holds such a special place in the hearts of our guests.

Picture of Jane

Jane

Jane is the founder of Holiday With Your Dogs, and a canine behaviourist with an MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare. Also an Honours Graduate of the Academy for Dog Trainers, she created HWYD in 2010 specifically for dogs who struggle with the everyday world, and the compassionate owners who care for them. She understands both ends of the lead.

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