Dogs can smell stress
by Tanner Olson
writtentospeak.com

Pancake’s chin is currently resting on my forearm.
He’s comfortable.
I’m not.
But I wouldn’t change this.

I read earlier today that dogs can smell stress.
I guess this means I am stressed.
There are lots of uncertainties that come with being an independent artist.
I am balancing patience and pressure and schedules and fear and dreams while doing my best to trust.

Maybe that’s why I am stressed.

But stress is just a reminder to trust.

Or at least that’s what I’ll tell myself.

I am my dog’s current patient.
He is slowing me down.
He’s calm and content and all the things I wish to be.
God knows I needed a dog.
God also knows I wish I was a dog.
I don’t believe in reincarnation, but if I did I’d be praying every single day to come back as a dog.

Pancake moved his head.
Maybe he was tired of hearing my fingers bounce off the keys.
Or maybe the smell is gone and he has realized that I am no longer stressed.
I’m not sure.
I don’t feel any different, except I wish his chin was still resting on my forearm.

With hope,

Tanner Olson
@writtentospeak

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.

A prayer for Florida as Hurricane Ian arrives.