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Play, Safety, and Confidence: Wisdom from the Animals I Care For
Why play is essential for nervous system regulation, confidence, and connection. Watching animals has shown me that play is not something...
rachel stokes
Oct 14 min read


Resourcing the Self: What Animals Teach Us About Grounding and Safety
It’s a hot summer afternoon in Long Beach, and I’m perched on the porch of my current sit, trying to cool down with a can of iced tea....
rachel stokes
Aug 244 min read


Self-Worth Isn’t a Concept—It’s a Felt Sense: What Animals Teach Us About Presence and Safety
Most of what we’re taught about self-worth and presence lives in the mind: affirmations, mental discipline, trying to “focus on the now.”...
rachel stokes
Jul 244 min read


What We Can Learn From Animals About Nervous System Regulation
Resting in the warmth - a natural master of nervous system regulation. Children and animals are very much alike—it's no coincidence we...
rachel stokes
Jul 45 min read


What Cats Have Taught Me About Stopping Busy-Work
As I spent the last week cat sitting in Long Beach, I found myself reflecting on my obsessive and relentless pursuit of productivity....
rachel stokes
Feb 244 min read


What Animals Have Taught Me About Presence and Gratitude
Being a professional dog sitter in Long Beach feels like putting on a creative hat—it's something I do, but it’s not who I am. To truly...
rachel stokes
Nov 13, 20243 min read


How I Became A Professional Pet Sitter in Long Beach
In my last post, I shared my successful pet-sitting experiences in Vancouver. While I’m working on a part two, I want to talk about how I...
rachel stokes
Oct 25, 20245 min read


Dog Walker Diaries - From Long Beach to Vancouver
Although I usually pet sit in Long Beach, California, I recently spent a week and a half in Vancouver, Canada. This wasn’t my first time...
rachel stokes
Oct 18, 20242 min read


Dog Walker Diaries - Celebrating Pride Month
This month is pride month, which in addition to celebrating whoever you are however you are, it's the remembrance of the Stonewall...
rachel stokes
Jun 20, 20242 min read


Dog Walker Diaries - What animals have taught me about faith and trust.
I think it's fair to say we know nothing and animals know everything. It's been humbling to learn this time and time again throughout all...
rachel stokes
Jun 6, 20243 min read


A Day In The Life Of A Pet Sitter And Dog Walker In Long Beach ☀️🐕🌳
Every sit and dog walk is different than the next. I've been locked out of client's homes at midnight while their house alarm triggers...
rachel stokes
May 11, 20243 min read


What's It Like Being A Pet Sitter & Dog Walker ? ⛅🌳🐕
Hello! One thing I will say about Good Love is that I never consciously planned to be an animal caretaker. Caretaking comes naturally to...
rachel stokes
Feb 17, 20241 min read
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