Lessons in nervous system safety from a rescue pup
Every time my husband takes out his guitar, our husky rescue, Nobu, does something remarkable:
He runs over and curls up inside the guitar case.
Not to hide.
Not to escape.
But to feel held.
That soft, snug little hollow becomes his nervous system’s version of an exhale. A place that tells his body: you’re safe here.
It makes sense when you know his story.
Nobu came to us with old fears — patterns of unpredictability woven into his young body. He doesn’t use words. He doesn’t rationalize. He doesn’t talk himself out of what he needs.
He just knows.
Animals don’t scroll Google looking for how to self-soothe.
They don’t debate what they should feel.
They instinctively choose what makes them feel safe.
✨ That’s something we can learn from. ✨
When your own nervous system feels scattered — when you’re overstimulated, anxious, or just on edge — ask yourself:
What’s your guitar case?
Maybe it’s a weighted blanket.
A cozy sweatshirt.
A walk with no agenda.
A familiar spot where you feel enclosed and steady.
Your body remembers what safety feels like.
Sometimes, it just needs a little help finding its way back.
The Pulse
“Instinct doesn’t speak in words. It speaks in comfort, contact, and calm.”