| Jan 22, 2006 @ 11:38 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals?
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sirdidymus
Posts: 1,087
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I get daily inspirtional emails from something called "DailyOM" and one email was about what a blessing animals are to the human race and how we can learn so much from animals.
Isn't it amazing the things animals do that we can't even imagine how. Some examples that pop into mind:
==> a dog that gets separated from it's family on a family trip and then travels halfway across the country to find it's family
==> a flock of birds that fly in perfect unison, changing direction at the drop of a dime, the whole flock, all at the same time - not a traffic cop in sight! :D
==> birds/fish, etc that can migrate extremely large distances, from one corner of the globe to the other, for their seasonal migration and EEGADs, nary a GPS tracking system in sight, nor even a good AAA road ..err...ocean/air map
what are some of the general things you've learned from animals, things that you've actually learned to try and incorporate into your life, feel free to give general ideas or indeed - specific instances.
in general, i think the biggest gift that animals teach us is unconditional love. I know in dealing with my cats - i learn very specific things as well - i learn humility (cleaning up poop), i learn patience (cleaning up poop, trying to sleep at 6am when cats are pinging off the walls playing "tag"), i learn responsibility (daily chores involved with cat related tasks...hmmm...didn't i feed them....yesterday...?). I also learn to appreciate every moment - for the moment, to appreciate every second that i have to cuddle, play, share love with my kitties.
From animals in general, i have learned to be a better person that i otherwise would be without their influence. Of so much of who I am today, i owe to my animal friends - for helping me to see things in a different light, to get through the bad times, and to strive to be a better person - i shudder to think of what and who I'd be today without the blessed animal creatures.
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| Jan 22, 2006 @ 11:44 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals? |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,272
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I do believe how you treat your animals will tell how you treat people.
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| Jan 22, 2006 @ 11:52 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals?
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MotownManiax
Posts: 7,881
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I remember an old post, can't remember who wrote it, that said you can tell a lot about a person by how they treat their pets. I think it was mostly directed to men because every woman I know is extremely good with their dogs and cats, but some men I know are very rough and unfeeling with theirs.
I love dogs and cats. As for other animals? I don't think birds should be pets; living their lives in a little cage when they're meant to fly is just cruel if you ask me. Fish? I'm sure for some they would make great pets, but how can you tell?....lol
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 12:15 AM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals? |
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Classy_Blonde
Posts: 6,034
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Andy,
I believe my dog chose me. He wandered into my yard one night, about five years ago. He loves me, unconditionally. I also believe dogs sense when a person is kind, or unkind.
I recently became a foster parent to dogs who need temporary homes. I have a large female right now, and she is a sweetheart. She is asleep on my bed, as I type. My Shane is a gentleman, and he is good at sharing. He has let her have his spot on the bed.
The girl was found wandering on the side of the highway. Thank goodness, she was not hit by a car. I figured her owner would be calling me by now. It has been three days, but no calls. I have flyers out, and the animal control has been notified. I would be worried sick, if my baby was lost.
While these wonderful dogs are at my home, they get lots of love. 
(The last one was a little scary though) 
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 12:25 AM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals?
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sirdidymus
Posts: 1,087
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that is very cool that you're able to foster animals - i would love to be able to do that someday.
i find it very interesting what you said, about your dog picking you. Kali, she's beautiful but there's nothing to really stand out about her - BUT - if it wasn't for Kali, i wouldn't have Loki (as the only reason i got him was to have a companion for Kali).
Now Loki, sometimes i really wonder to myself if he picked to be with me specifically, if we knew/know each other on some other level. I wonder that because he is one of those animals that seems to be above being simply "an animal" - there is such a personality there, there seems to be something really special and unique about Loki and i guess in another time another place i might be priivy to any greater relevance to my relationship with him. Might sound silly i know but heck, i'm a clown, silly is what i do.....
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 12:38 AM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals? |
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PerhapsLove
Posts: 643
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When it costs more to feed the raccoons than it does to get the boat to deep water, I am learning the Kindness to Kritters may have a limit.
When it costs more to feed the foxes than it does to give a dinner party, I am learning the Kindness to Kritters may have a limit.
When the 7:00 A.M. feeding of 200+ birds occurs, I am learning that it is nice that the nearest neighbor is more than a quarter-mile away.
But, at least the racoons have joined the work force (helping excavate for April planting of two trees) and the foxes are just so pretty... so... maybe a little while longer.
And... carrying those 100-pound bags of birdseed ... welll, at least it starts a beautiful day in the neighborhood....
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 12:53 AM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals?
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sirdidymus
Posts: 1,087
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Amen my fellow Yankees fan - Amen!!! :D
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 5:37 AM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals? |
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sciurusniger
Posts: 2,959
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What I have learned from my work with wild animals in particular is the real meaning of grace. Without vice or artifice, they simply are, each a singular, perfect example of themselves. They don't torture their lives with unnecessary fears, and yet while they want to live and live well, when they reach a point where there can no longer be any quality of life, they simply say goodbye and cross over. They do not question death any more than they question life. They revel in the good days, they accept the not-so-good ones without complaint, sure of the ever-circling circumstances of mortal existence.
It is this exquisite acceptance of the whole which I see as having been bred out of domestic animals, and one of the more poignant reasons I am so against the whole ideology of "pet ownership".
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 10:06 AM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals?
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AngelLight
Posts: 5,462
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very well said Sci, very well said 
from animals I learn the power of simply being what I am and lettting things be as they are, in their own way, in their own time.
knowing the power of Spirit and unconditional love are two other experiences I have gained from either being with an animal or observing them, in someone's home or in nature.
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 11:19 AM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals? |
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waiting41
Posts: 1,926
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I learn PATIENCE from my animals.
This morning I found my new beta fish flopping on the floor, and, I KNOW which of the three cats did it.  oops, I mean  lovely cat, he is!!
My maltese is incapable of being housebroken.  Cute little doggie.
The oldest cat will only poop in clothes in the bathroom and pee in the bathtub.  I mean.....darling kitty that he is
And, the guinea pig squeals all night and endlessly bangs her water bottle on the glass causing us all to walk around like zombies most of the time. We just love the furry little critter!!
The lovely 5ft. python, no matter what we do always finds a way to escape scaring everyone half to death in the house and making mommy account for all the other creatures in the home. 
Yes, animals truly are family and and a gift from God. I can't imagine life without them.
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 11:41 AM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals?
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sirdidymus
Posts: 1,087
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sciurusniger,
I'm intrigued by your stance against pet ownership.. Believe it or not, i do not mean that in a negative fashion - as i always try to keep an open-mind towards new and interesting concepts.
So that having been said, i'm curious about the logistics involved in not having pets. I'm totally guessing here, because it's a concept that - because that's all i've ever known in the society i live in - is difficult for me to wrap my mind around. Ok, if we all lived a more rural life, i can perhaps imagine a scenario where no pets existed, where all of God's creatures, including humans - were sort of living off the land - as i've always lived in a city, it's a theory in concept only, certainly not one i'm able to personally visualize, but a concept nonetheless.
However, big industrial cities have been a way of life since, i would imagine (not being a "History" buff) a very early time of human civilization. Where there is major cities, there seem to be major stray populations, dogs, cats, whathaveyou. Personally, i wasn't looking to have cats just yet but Kali was a "regular" stray that got injured one day so i took her in, and Loki - the only reason i adopted him (from the pound) was for companionship for Kali. So in that instance, as i would imagine would be the same for a lot of pet owners - we have our pets no so much for the desire to have a pet, but more for the desire to help out and eliminate a certain measure of suffering that we see.
Pets also seem to serve such a useful and integral part of society, seeing eye dogs, police dogs, bringing pets to senior citizen retirement homes, providing someone a pet for companionship, having a pet for a child to teach the child love and responsibility - i guess that list could go on and on.
So i'm curious and again, believe me, i am not asking in any sort of antagonistic fashion - only pure curiosity - if we as a society decided not to have pets, how would we implement that, what would be the steps, what would happen to all of the animals that exist today that otherwise would have, perhaps, gone to a loving home?
Would be curious to hear your take on that....thanks....
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 12:44 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals? |
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Rinimer2003
Posts: 114
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Complete acceptance and unconditional love it what I have learned from my animals.
My mare, is 22 and I have had her for 19 years - talk about being part of the family! She is so healthy - I figure we will be eating our mashed carrots and soaked oatmeal together in another 15 years! 
Over the years, we had had a zoo here - sometimes worse then others. My son had a rather large CA King snake - but he didn't want to upset me and tell met that Snickers had been lost for several weeks - I only found out after we had 2 exchange students here - and one was afraid of snakes. I told him not to go into my son's room - but then my other son said it wasn't a problem - since the snake was losr in the house and could be anywhere. Sure made for a fun time for teh exchange student!! (Snickers eventtually showed back up - larger and fatter - we had no mice in the house that fall!!)
As a 4H project, we raised 7 puppies (Shepherds and Labs) over the years for the Seeing Eye School in NJ. Sure was hard to give them back after 14 to 16 months!
My kids all learned responsibility and love from having the pets and are better people and great parents because of having them.
Sara
 ...long post - sorry!
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 1:16 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals?
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Classy_Blonde
Posts: 6,034
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Sara,
Seeing Eye dogs. Awesome! Your post was great.
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 1:26 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals? |
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TiNkErGrRrRrR
Posts: 13,791
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I don`t like cats..does that make me bad
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 1:47 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals?
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exiled131
Posts: 1,808
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never punt a porcupine unless the quills are out and away from your foot. 
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 2:36 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals? |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,272
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Tink; I don`t like cats..does that make me bad
No, unless you are talking about me.....
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 3:00 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals?
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raykl
Posts: 566
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From groundhogs I learned not to chew on asphalt on the side
of the road.
From deer I learned to head to Florida for Thanksgiving and only return after hunting season.
From birds I learned never to walk under a flock of them.
From pigs and chickens I learned that if people keep feeding
me, they have something on their mind other than friendship.
From a stud bull or horse, I learned that life can be really good at times.
And from all animals I learned that they are all "Good Eats".
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 3:27 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals? |
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wandaful123
Posts: 1,511
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I have cats... live for the moment, never accept less than what your looking for, and naps are very, very good!
Women and cats will do as they please... and men and dogs should relax get used to it! <----- read this somewhere!
[Edited on 1/23/2006 3:47 PM]
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 5:58 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals?
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Heaveninawildflower
Posts: 15,333
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Women and cats will do as they please... and men and dogs should relax get used to it! <----- read this somewhere!
Yep - Robert Heinlein. Wise man.
I've learned that there's a price to be paid for everything - the first pet I had died when I was seven...there's always the risk of pain when you love, and it's not just children that are hostages to fortune. Since I have three cats and a dog, as well as kids, I guess I choose to dare.
And from all animals I learned that they are all "Good Eats".
Cool, but if it's one of mine, YOU might be dead meat!
[Edited on 1/23/2006 6:20 PM]
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| Jan 23, 2006 @ 7:06 PM |
what do you learn from your pets/animals? |
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kattsmeow
Posts: 21,272
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The last dog I owned, a white Shepard, taught me patience, endurance, and what it means to love an animal the way I never had before. We went through alot together. He endured the kids,,,they gave back to him too. He liked their donuts they would leave sitting around, and I remember one time seeing him slowly reach his mouth over to my youngest sons ice cream cone and take a lick! Jess laughed so hard I think he wet himself(my son).
It is to even think about having another dog after him.
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