How to stay calm when sh*t hits the fan

Guest post by Sean

Before Scout, blind corners were only something to be afraid of when driving a car. I never knew my heart could beat at marathon running levels from something as simple as approaching a turn, not knowing if a dog was waiting on the other side.

This is unpleasant.

Scout has made me a bit reactive, and I’m supposed to be the calm one

There have been a number of times where Haley asks me to take Scout’s leash when approaching another dog because she feels like she can’t stay cool, calm, and confident.

Turns out she thinks I give off more of a “confident vibe” in sticky situations than she does. As many of my friends have noted, I tend to be an infuriatingly level-headed and even-keeled guy with unshakable optimism.

This has definitely helped Scout trust my consistency and emotional stability.

Even so, when an off-leash dog starts to approach or a dog ventures too close in general, I develop a nasty feeling of dread in my stomach. Not only do I care about keeping Scout safe and not scaring her …