rachel stokes

The ethics of spaying, neutering, and breeding companion animals. What does an animal's life look like when reproduction isn't part of it? We tend to think of reproduction as an inherent part of being an animal. We talk about parenthood, mating, puppies, kittens, bloodlines, and the continuation of a breed as though reproduction is automatically something an animal should experience. But what if it isn't? What if a companion animal can live a completely full and meaningful life without ever...

The True Cost of Emotional Labor For sensitive practitioners, your rate is one of the primary forms of resource, keeping your nervous system regulated, grounded, and generous. The Sit That Taught Me Something It’s 12:01pm, and I’m sitting three dogs in Los Angeles. I’ve sat for these folks before — enjoying the space, but feeling incredibly taxed. This time was different — my nervous system had been taxed beyond its limits for the last time. I get up to use the bathroom and immediately have...

Relearning my relationship with safety and rest while caring for others. The body needs soothing. It needs room. It needs a leader. It needs you — not the version of you trying to fix everything, but the version willing to stay. The Myth of the Inner Enemy For a long time, I thought there was something wrong with me. Like I had this enemy inside of me that sabotaged every moment of rest or ease. Especially when I was caretaking. My brain would get loud, my chest would tighten, and I’d feel...